Performance of concrete with and without crystalline admixtures under repeated cracking/healing cycles

Abstract

The present paper analyses the repeatability of self-healing capacity in fibre reinforced concretes, both autogenous or enhanced by the addition of crystalline admixtures. The behaviour of the investigated concrete mixes was analysed by means of the “Double Edge Wedge Splitting (DEWS)” test, whose configuration and specimen geometry (150x15x50 mm) allow to predetermine the failure plane and the relative orientation of fibres. Initially, specimens were pre-cracked up to a crack width of 0.25 mm, then they were subjected for 1, 3 and 6 months to different exposure conditions, including water immersion, open air exposure and wet/dry cycles After that, specimens were subjected to repeated cracking and healing cycles, alternatively for 1 and 2 months, and up to an overall duration of one year. The crack closure index was evaluated using photogrammetric methods. The results highlighted the potentials of crystalline admixture in guaranteeing a better persistence of the healing performance in the long term and under repeated cracking and curing cycles.