Experimental investigation of self-healing concrete after crack using nano-capsules including polymeric shell and nanoparticles core

Abstract

In this paper, we focused on the self-healing concrete using new nano-capsules. Three types of nano-capsules with respect to availability, high strength and temperature tolerance are used; type 1 is URF and polyethylene (PE) as shell and nano titanium oxide (TiO2) as core, type 2 is URF and PE as shell and nano silica oxide (SiO2) as core, type 3 is PE as shell and nano silica oxide (SiO2) as core. The concrete samples mixed by nano-capsules with three percents of 0.5, 1 and 1.5. Based on experimental tests and the compressive strength of samples, the URF-PE-SiO2 is selected for additional tests of compressive strength before and after recovery, ultrasonic test, ion chlorine and water penetration depths. After careful investigation, it is concluded that the optimum value of URF-PE-SiO2 nano-capsules is 0.5% since leads to higher compressive strength, ultrasonic test, ion chlorine and water penetration depths.