Concrete self-healing performance using surface roughness parameters: Metrological approach

Abstract

Traditional test methods for evaluating concrete self-healing performance, such as scanning electron microscopy, ultrasonic waves including velocity pulse and emissions and x-ray imaging have limited accuracy resulting from the damages during the sample preparation and capability of the instruments. Very limited work has been performed to date to conduct non-destructive evaluations using non-contact test methods, hence obtaining three-dimensional images that can evaluate the self-healing performance in cementitious materials. This study meteorological instruments to obtain three-dimensional surface profiles without any external impacts that could potentially cause damage to the concrete surface has been used. The study aims evaluate the healing efficiency and performance of the crack at different time intervals for 28 days by using different healing agents such as microcapsules, cellulose fibre and applying sodium silicate directly on the developed crack. Healing efficiency and performance assessment is conducted through the maximum visualisation featuring, crack width, depth healed product from the contact angle. Metrological selective roughness parameters such as Sa, Sq, Vvv and Smr2 values are also used to evaluate the self-healing performance at various time intervals. A comparison of the numerically obtained data, both individually and from different surface roughness parameters, indicates that crack healing occurrences can be observed when utilizing different healing agents.