Self-Healing Concrete with Two-Component Macro-Encapsulated Epoxy: Optimizing Compressive Strength and Compressive Strength Recovery
摘要
Existing self-healing concrete (SHC) technologies often involve high costs and complex production processes. To address these issues, this study develops SHC with two-component macro-encapsulated epoxy (2-ME); 2-ME serves as an affordable and simple alternative to existing self-healing systems. The SHC specimens underwent compressive strength and compressive strength recovery (CSR) tests. Results showed high CSRs, indicating effective self-healing. However, the 2-ME systems left voids within the SHC specimens. These voids led to significant strength reductions; this finding highlights the need for further research on 2-ME. Statistical analysis identified an optimal specimen design. The optimal specimen features 11.378 mL brittle bottles (~25.4 mm diameter) as macro-capsules for the epoxy components. The optimal specimen adopts a healing material dosage of ~7.85% by cement mass; the material does not contain a thinner solution. Although the optimal specimen was not manufactured, predictions estimated a compressive strength of 21.1 MPa and a CSR of 105%. Prediction models were also developed. The R2 values for compressive strength and CSR were 70.80% and 48.88%, respectively. These R2 values suggest that the models fit the data reasonably.