Study of the influence of synthesised zeolite as a self-healing for hardened cementing materials

Abstract

ABSTRACT The impact of incorporating synthesized zeolite on Portland cement with different ratios was analyzed to enhance the healing effeciency of pre-cracked hardened matrix. The pre-cracked hardened specimens was subjected to treatment through immersion in tap water or a saturated lime solution, with the objective of enhancing the effectiveness of the healing process. These matrices represent the most frequently used environments suitable for crack healing. Given that water is a crucial component for cement hydration, saturated lime can alternatively be applied on cracks via spraying to facilitate the ability of heaing thr cracks. The outcomes demonstrated the effectiveness of repairing the pre-cracked structure in both conditions, while the fully saturated lime possesses a higher potential in mending the cracks, as evident from visual observation and petrographicanalysis. Additionally, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy revealed the incorporation of synthesized zeolite into the structure resulted in an enhancement of the intensity of the formed binder, which interm positively influenced its healing ability. The highest compressive strength was observed in specimens with 4% zeolite addition immersed in tap water, reaching 89 MPa. Furthermore, the compressive strength increased to 116 and 157 MPa with 4% and 6% zeolite addition, respectively, in the fully saturated lime environment.