Strategies for Enhancing Self-Healing in Ultra-High Performance Concrete: An Experimental Investigation
摘要
Ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC) has acquired global attention for its exceptional mechanical properties, durability, strength, toughness, and low porosity, making it a highly promising material for various engineering applications. However, despite its numerous advantages, UHPC is susceptible to shrinkage and cracking, which can compromise its overall performance and structural integrity. To address this challenge, the integration of self-healing concrete technology offers a novel solution by incorporating microcapsules into UHPC mixes to facilitate the autonomous healing of micro-cracks. This study aims to merge UHPC technology with self-healing concrete technology by investigating the optimal dosage and mixing process of microcapsules in UHPC formulations. The research seeks to advance the development of UHPC capable of self-healing micro-cracks through comprehensive experimentation and analysis, thus enhancing its long-term durability and structural performance. Preliminary findings suggest that microcapsules containing more than 2% gel material exhibit promising self-healing properties in micro-cracks within UHPC. Furthermore, the study explores the influence of the timing of microcapsule addition during the mixing process on the efficacy of self-healing. It is observed that adding microcapsules after the mortar is mixed yields optimal results, indicating the importance of proper incorporation techniques for achieving desired self-healing capabilities in UHPC. In conclusion, integrating UHPC and self-healing concrete technologies holds significant potential for addressing the challenges associated with micro-cracking in UHPC structures. This research advances our understanding of self-healing mechanisms in concrete materials and underscores the importance of continued exploration in this field to optimize material formulations and validate long-term performance in real-world applications.