Abstract
The behaviour of autonomic self-healing cementitious materials depends on a set of interacting mechanical, chemical and transport processes. A summary is provided of a set of component models developed to simulate these processes along with a description of a linked experimental programme of work. The component models are brought together in a coupled finite element formulation that solves Navier-Stokes and mass-balance equations for healing agent transport and uses elements with embedded strong discontinuities to represent cracks. A compact description is also provided of a new cohesive-zone damage-healing model for discrete concrete cracks. This model simulates evolving curing-fronts within the body of healing-agent using a two-level recursive time-stepping scheme. The formulation naturally accounts for the dependency of the healing response on the crack opening displacement (COD) its rate. The crack-front model is embedded in a damage-healing solution algorithm that addresses simultaneous cracking and healing, as well as re-cracking and re-healing. Validations undertaken of full coupled finite element model are discussed and an illustrative example presented. A new extension is described of the curing-front model that allows healing in wide cracks (i.e. COD>0.5mm) to be simulated. A new parametric study, for a vascular system with cyanoacrylate as the healing agent, is also presented from which a set of graphs are produced that show the expected healing in a crack for a given relative COD and time. The graphs should be useful to researchers working on cementitious self-healing materials.
Published Version
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