Self-healing properties of lightweight aggregate concrete with mineral additions and water-absorbing resins

Abstract

In order to improve the self-healing property of concrete, a lightweight aggregate concrete mixed with mineral and water-absorbing resin was designed. Based on impedance spectroscopy testing, the effects of different particle size of absorbent polymers on the self-healing property of concrete were compared. Impedance spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction (XRD) testing were carried out to evaluate the effect of curing age on the optimized mixture. The results show that the absorbent polymer with particle size between 500～600 μm is more conducive to the improvement of self-healing property. The self-healing composite system demonstrates long-term self-healing capabilities. XRD testing confirms that the healing products to fill the cracks are mainly calcium carbonate. Good self-healing performance is shown in the proposed composite self-healing system. A new approach is explored to expand the self-healing strategy of concrete.

Keywords

• concrete
• lightweight aggregate
• mineral
• absorbent polymer
• particle size
• electrochemical impedance spectrum
• self-healing
• self-healing performance