Autogenous self-healing of low embodied energy cementitious materials: Effect of multi-component binder and crack geometry

Concrete's ability to auto-repair the cracks reduces need for maintenance and repair. Autogenous self-healing is an intrinsic property of concrete highly dependent on binder composition. The urgent necessity decrease CO2 emissions by replacing cement with “greener” materials provides challenges opportunities cementitious materials. This research aims verify behavior environmentally friendly multi-component binders. An experimental study conducted test effect composition-related parameters (e.g., phase composition, porosity) crack geometry efficiency “green” mortars. Cementitious 50 wt.%cement replacement limestone powder blended fly ash, blast furnace slag, silica fume are investigated. Sorptivity change, compressive strength regains, closure after used quantify efficiency. Quantitative analysis correlations between chemical composition/microstructural features, geometrical characteristics, measures results indicate that composition affects mechanism leading different levels performance recovery. Some SCMs-limestone formulations enable a better than pure OPC or OPC/limestone materials, presumably due synergistic mineral additions. Correlation indicated complexity characterized fractal dimension tortuosity does not affect external closure, whereas maximum width correlated internal healing.