Cementitious composite materials with improved self-healing potential

Abstract

Cement-based composites have proved, over the time, certain abilities of self-healing the damages (cracks and especially microcracs) that occur within their structure. Depending on the level of damage and of the composite type in which this occurs, the self - healing process (SH) can range from crack closing or crack sealing to the stage of partial or even complete recovery of material physical - mechanical properties. The aim of this paper is to present the general concept of Engineered Cementitious Composites (ECCs) with their unique properties including their self-healing (SH) capacity, as an innovative direction for a global sustainable infrastructure. The experimental steps initiated for the development in Romania of this unique category of materials, using materials available on the local market, are also presented.

Keywords

• cementitious materials
• self-healing (SH) mechanisms
• crack control behavior under loads