Synergy between crystalline admixtures and nano-constituents in enhancing autogenous healing capacity of cementitious composites under cracking and healing cycles in aggressive waters

More than one century after its massive introduction in the building industry, concrete is still most popular material. Nevertheless, several critical infrastructures show severe signs of distress. This fact fostered, recent years, need rethinking design process structures, view reducing maintenance costs and extending their service life. work has been performed framework H2020 project ReSHEALience (GA760824). The main idea behind that long-term behaviour structures under extremely aggressive exposure conditions can highly benefit from use high performance materials, durability-based approaches. will tailor composition Ultra High Durability Concrete (UHDC), by upgrading High-Performance Cementitious Composite/High-Performance Fibre Reinforced Composite (HPCC/HPFRCC) concept through incorporation tailored nanoscale constituents focusing, among others, on stimulating autogenous self-healing capacity. shows effectiveness aforementioned achieved a reference HPFRCC three types nano-constituents: alumina nanofibers (0.25% weight cement), cellulose nanocrystals (0.15% cement) nano-fibrils cement). influence nano-constituents analysed terms mechanical properties, such as flexural compressive strength shrinkage durability means sorptivity tests un-cracked, cracked self-healed specimens with to selected scenarios representative intended engineering applications investigated materials.