Kris Sisomphon k.sisomphon@tudelft.nl
Bilal Ahmed b.ahmed@tudelft.nl
Self healing is a sophisticated mechanism and involves high-tech material use. So far, self healing of cracked cement-based materials has been discussed around non-native agents such as two component polymer-based agents encapsulated by glycol dimethycrylate. However, this sort of approach may not be suitable for concrete because one should encapsulate the healing agent and mix the catalyst in the cement paste. This affects the hydration kinetics and strength development of concrete. High cost of the agents is another disadvantage. Therefore the market needs low cost, cement paste compatible self-healing agents for sustainable material use.
In our project we attempt to solve this problem by using tricalcium aluminate -a natural cement mineral- as the healing agent. The idea is to use cementitous compounds to trigger an expansive reaction for crack healing. The theory behind the healing agents to be used has been known for decades in the cement and concrete science. However utilization of these agents in the self-healing context is an entirely new theme.
The project has the following advantages;
- A well known, scientifically explainable healing process
- Vast amount of knowledge on the agents and the processes through literature
- A better controlled self-healing and cement paste compatible healing agent
- Cost of the material is significantly less than epoxy-based agents
The project is carried out by Delft University of Technology. Industrial partners who have shown their interest are ENCI BV and Maxit Nederland BV.
