Crystalline Admixture as Healing Promoter in Concrete Exposed to Chloride-Rich Environments: Experimental Study

The requirements on service life of reinforced concrete structures, as prescribed by design codes, may be difficult to fulfilled in highly aggressive environments such marine ones, which premature degradation is most likely occur. In the aforementioned situations, avoid expensive repair activities, different protective systems, including, among others, self-healing concrete, could adopted. Researchers have found a way face problems chloride-rich environments. If significant degree crack sealing can achieved, physical properties cracked element trend back those an identical uncracked element, also result slower penetration rate substances. main problem exploiting this methodology related its reliability. context, experimental program aimed at investigating effectiveness crystalline admixtures healing stimulating agent was carried out. influence exposure conditions compressive strength development and recovery predamaged specimens first analyzed. Afterwards, chloride permeability sealed cracks were evaluated for continuously immersed or subjected wet/dry cycles 16.5% NaCl aqueous solution. Both enhanced improved ability observed samples containing agent. A microstructure study products conducted means scanning electron microscope (SEM) energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) analysis well.