Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-dzt6s Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-27T01:35:44.007Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Soluble Silicates as Additives for Self-Sealing and Self-Healing Concrete

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 March 2016

L. E. Rendon Diaz Miron
Affiliation:
Mexican Institute of Water Technology, Jiutepec, Morelos, Mexico
M. E. Lara Magaña
Affiliation:
marudecori consultants, Cuernavaca, Morelos Mexico
Get access

Abstract

Tensile strength of concrete is limited and therefore is sensitive to crack formation. Steel reinforcement is added to bear the tensile forces; nonetheless, this does not completely omit crack formation. Repair of cracks in concrete is time-consuming and expensive. Self-sealing and self-healing of cracks upon appearance would therefore be a convenient property. We propose a mechanism to obtain self-repair of the concrete by adding soluble silicates (ASS) which will induce a self-sealing and self-healing process catalyzed by natural periods of wet and dry states of the concrete. Self-sealing approaches prevent the ingress of harsh chemical substances which may deteriorate the concrete matrix. This can be achieved by self-healing of concrete cracks (e.g. further cement hydration, calcium carbonate precipitation) and autonomous healing (e.g. further hydration of partially soluble silicates added as healing agents). The autogenous healing efficiency depends on the amount of deposited reaction products (ASS), its solubility (ratio of calcium to sodium silicate), the availability of water, and the crack width (restricted by adding microfibers). The self-sealing efficiency is generally evaluated by measuring the decrease in water permeability and air flow through the crack. The healing efficiency is usually evaluated by testing concrete´s regain in mechanical properties after crack formation; by reloading the cracked and autonomously healed specimen and comparing the obtained mechanical properties with the original ones. Self-sealing and self-healing of concrete gives a broad perspective and new possibilities to make future concrete structures more durable.

Type
Articles
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 2016 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

REFERENCES

De Belie, N., Van Tittelboom, K., Snoeck, D. and Wang, J., MRS Proceedings, Volume 1488, http://dx.doi.org/10.1557/opl.2012.1538 (2012).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Rendon Diaz Miron, L.E. and Bilba, N., A note on the double hydroxide Na2Ca(OH)4 Revista Kinam, vol. 2, 167168 (1980).Google Scholar
Aldea, C., Shah, S. and Karr, A., Materials in Civil Engineering 11 (3), 181187 (1999).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Van Tittelboom, K., De Belie, N., Van Loo, D. and Jacobs, P., Cement and Concrete Composites 33 (4), 497505 (2011).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Tsukamoto, M. and Woener, J. D., Darmstadt Concrete 6, 123135 (1991).Google Scholar
Edvardsen, C., ACI Materials Journal 96 (4), 448454 (1999).Google Scholar
Capillary water absorption test, RILEM 25 PEM II-6.Google Scholar