Effect of Crack Self-Healing on Concrete Diffusivity: Mesoscale Dynamics Simulation Study

Abstract

Self-healing properties of concrete mean that concrete can repair cracks and effectively slow down the penetration of chloride ions. This work develops a chloride ion transport mesoscale model to study how chloride ions diffuse into concrete with crack self-healing properties. This model consists of aggregate, mortar, interfacial transition zone (ITZ), crack, and damage zone (DZ) phases. It was validated by experimental data. Based on this mesoscale model, the dynamic crack self-healing process was simulated by moving mesh technology using finite-element software. Crack and DZ sizes varied as a function of time. Distribution of the chloride concentration in cracks and DZs during self-healing and the influence of self-healing rate on chloride concentration distribution, as well as that of the ITZ and DZ on chloride concentration distribution, are analyzed and discussed.