Self-healing concrete: a path towards advancement of sustainable infrastructure

Abstract

Self-healing concrete (SHC) offers a promising solution for enhancing the durability and lifespan of concrete structures by minimizing the need for external repairs. This paper presents a detailed review of various self-healing techniques in concrete, including both autogenic and autonomic methods, with particular focus on bacteria-based and capsule-based systems. It also explores the conditions required for effective self-healing, such as moisture availability, crack width, and hydration time, to better understand their role in influencing the healing process. In addition, the quality of self-healing approaches and strategies in SHC is thoroughly examined, alongside the selection and optimal growth conditions of bacteria used as healing agents. The paper evaluates how these bacteria can be directly or indirectly implemented and their impact on key concrete properties like compressive strength, water absorption, and resistance to chloride permeability. The study also investigates the performance of bacteria-based SHC, discussing its potential as a sustainable building material. It reviews how factors like moisture, crack dimensions, and concrete composition affect healing efficiency. Finally, the paper identifies current limitations and outlines key areas for future research, highlighting the need to improve SHC for broader applications in sustainable construction and infrastructure development.