The influence of sepiolite on the self-healing capability of concrete by means of water permeability

This paper investigates the autogenous self-healing capability of conventional concrete (C30/37) mixtures with water encapsulated in sepiolite. Sepiolite was added two conditions: previously saturated and dry, at a dosage 5% by cement weight. is substitution for sand fraction. For these mixes reference mix without sepiolite, disks size f100x50 mm were produced pre-cracked 28 days age splitting test until reaching residual cracks 300±150 μm. Crack width measured using an optical microscope. Self-healing promoted after pre-cracking certain exposures: 1) continuous immersion 20°C 56 days, 2) high humidity environment 95% relative additional 3) pre-saturation one day 55 chamber. analyzed permeability comparing results before healing stage. Afterward, chlorides’ penetration through healed evaluated to study possible protection provided crack healing. Uncracked specimens also tested as chloride penetration. Mixes characterized measuring compression strength slump, air content, fresh density. The show that adequate way improve self-healing. can only then conditions, especially sepiolite introduced conditions. On contrary, may have resulted higher compared samples