Abstract
A total of 12 billion tons of concrete materials are produced annually, about 2 tons per person. More sustainable buildings are thus needed to decrease the carbon footprint of concrete infrastructures in the context of climate change. Crack formation is a major flaw of concrete structures. Although cracks are usually small and do not necessarily induce building collapse, cracks reduce the life span and sustainability of buildings. Therefore, research has developed self-healing materials that are capable of repairing narrow cracks automatically. Here we review self-healing technologies such as adding mineral mixtures, bacteria, and adhesive liquids. Mineral healing is economically positive, yet relies on suitable conditions such as the presence of water, and is less efficient to heal larger cracks. By contrast, the bacterial encapsulation is promising due to the uniform characteristics of bacteria in the alkaline environment of concrete.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
Availability of data and material
The data used in this study are available on request from the corresponding author.
References
Achal V, Mukherjee A, Reddy MS (2011) Effect of calcifying bacteria on permeation properties of concrete structures. J Ind Microbiol Biotechnol 38(9):1229–1234. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10295-010-0901-8
Achal V, Mukerjee A, Sudhakara Reddy M (2013) Biogenic treatment improves the durability and remediates the cracks of concrete structures. Constr Build Mater. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2013.06.061
Ahn TH, Kishi T (2010) Crack self-healing behavior of cementitious composites incorporating various mineral admixtures. J Adv Concr Technol. https://doi.org/10.3151/jact.8.171
Alves C, Sanjurjo-Sánchez J (2015) Conservation of stony materials in the built environment. Environ Chem Lett 13(4):413–430. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10311-015-0526-2
Ameri F, Shoaei P, Bahrami N et al (2019) Optimum rice husk ash content and bacterial concentration in self-compacting concrete. Constr Build Mater 222:796–813. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2019.06.190
Andrew RM (2019) Global CO2 emissions from cement production, 1928–2018. Earth Syst Sci Data. https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-11-1675-2019
Ayobami Adebola B, Williams Kehinde K, Tolulope Roland L et al (2020) Use of sustainable materials in self-healing concrete. Strength Mater. IntechOpen. https://doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.86768
Basheer L, Cleland DJ (2006) Freeze-thaw resistance of concretes treated with pore liners. Constr Build Mater 20(10):990–998. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2005.06.010
Bekas DG, Tsirka K, Baltzis D, Paipetis AS (2016) Self-healing materials: a review of advances in materials, evaluation, characterization and monitoring techniques. Compos Part B Eng 87:92–119. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compositesb.2015.09.057
De Belie N, Gruyaert E, Al-Tabbaa A et al (2018) A review of self-healing concrete for damage management of structures. Adv Mater Interf 5(17). https://doi.org/10.1002/admi.201800074
Cailleux E, Pollet V (2009) Investigations on the development of self-healing properties in protective coatings for concrete and repair mortars. In: 2nd international conference on self healing materials
Chang H, Li C, Wang J et al (2021) The features of different mineral admixtures affecting the self-healing capacity of cementitious-based materials. Construct Build Mater 297. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2021.123822
Chen H, Qian C, Huang H (2016) Self-healing cementitious materials based on bacteria and nutrients immobilized respectively. Constr Build Mater 126:297–303. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2016.09.023
Chen HJ, Peng CF, Tang CW, Chen YT (2019) Self-healing concrete by biological substrate. Materials. https://doi.org/10.3390/ma1224099
Danish A, Mosaberpanah MA, Salim MU (2020) Past and present techniques of self-healing in cementitious materials: a critical review on efficiency of implemented treatments. J Mater Res Technol 9(3):6883–6899. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmrt.2020.04.053
De Muynck W, De Belie N, Verstraete W (2010) Microbial carbonate precipitation in construction materials: a review. Ecol Eng. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoleng.2009.02.006
Dick J, De Windt W, De Graef B et al (2006) Bio-deposition of a calcium carbonate layer on degraded limestone by Bacillus species. Biodegradation. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10532-005-9006-x
Dinesh S, Shanmugapriyan R, Sheen STN (2017) A review on bacteria—based self-healing concrete. Imper J Interdisc Res 3(1):1023–1026
Dong B, Han N, Zhang M et al (2013) A microcapsule technology based self-healing system for concrete structures. J Earthq Tsunami. https://doi.org/10.1142/S1793431113500140
Dry C, Corsaw M, Bayer E (2003) A comparison of internal self-repair with resin injection in repair of concrete. J Adhes Sci Technol. https://doi.org/10.1163/15685610360472457
Fang C, Plaza G, Achal V (2021) A review on role of enzymes and microbes in healing cracks in cementitious materials. Build Mater Sustain Ecol Environ 151–162. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-16-1706-5_9
Fernandez CA, Correa M, Nguyen MT et al (2021) Progress and challenges in self-healing cementitious materials. J Mater Sci 56(1):201–230. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10853-020-05164-7
Ghaz-Jahanian MA, Khodaparastan F, Berenjian A et al (2013) Influence of small RNAs on biofilm formation process in bacteria. Mol Biotechnol. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12033-013-9700-6
Gollapudi UK, Knutson CL, Bang SS et al (1995) A new method for controlling leaching through permeable channels. Chemosphere. https://doi.org/10.1016/0045-6535(94)00435-W
Guo S, Chidiac SE (2019) Self healing concrete: a critical review. In: CSCE annual conference growing with youth—Croître Avec Les Jeunes, August
Gupta S, Pang SD, Kua HW (2017) Autonomous healing in concrete by bio-based healing agents—a review. Construct Build Mater. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2017.04.111
Gupta S, Kua HW, Pang SD (2018) Healing cement mortar by immobilization of bacteria in biochar: an integrated approach of self-healing and carbon sequestration. Cement Concr Compos 86:238–254. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2017.11.015
Hartsock J (2011) Bacteria-infused self-healing concrete. Heron
Hearn N (1998) Self-sealing, autogenous healing and continued hydration: what is the difference? Mater Struct Materiaux Et Construct. https://doi.org/10.1007/bf02481539
Huang H, Ye G, Qian C et al (2016) Self-healing in cementitious materials: materials, methods and service conditions. Mater Des. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matdes.2015.12.091
Islam S, Bhat G (2021) Progress and challenges in self-healing composite materials. Mater Adv 2(6):1896–1926. https://doi.org/10.1039/d0ma00873g
Jonkers HM, Thijssen A, Muyzer G et al (2010) Application of bacteria as self-healing agent for the development of sustainable concrete. Ecol Eng. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoleng.2008.12.036
Jonkers HM, Schlangen E (2009) A two component bacteria-based self-healing concrete. In: Concrete repair, rehabilitation and retrofitting II—proceedings of the 2nd international conference on concrete repair, rehabilitation and retrofitting, ICCRRR. https://doi.org/10.1201/9781439828403.ch27
Joshi S, Goyal S, Mukherjee A et al (2017) Microbial healing of cracks in concrete: a review. J Indus Microbiol Biotechnol. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10295-017-1978-0
Justo-Reinoso I, Heath A, Gebhard S (2021) Aerobic non-ureolytic bacteria-based self-healing cementitious composites: a comprehensive review. J Build Eng 42. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jobe.2021.102834
Khaliq W, Ehsan MB (2016) Crack healing in concrete using various bio influenced self-healing techniques. Constr Build Mater. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2015.11.006
Kim H, Son HM, Seo J et al (2021) Recent advances in microbial viability and self-healing performance in bacterial-based cementitious materials: a review. Construct Build Mater 274. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2020.122094
Kishi T, Ahn TH, Hosoda A et al (2007) Self-healing behaviour by cementitious recrystallization of cracked concrete. In: First international conference on self healing materials
Kumar Jogi P, Vara Lakshmi TVS (2020) Self healing concrete based on different bacteria: a review. Mater Today Proc 43:1246–1252. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matpr.2020.08.765
Li VC, Herbert E (2012) Robust self-healing concrete for sustainable infrastructure. J Adv Concr Technol. https://doi.org/10.3151/jact.10.207
Magaji A, Yakubu MW (2019) A review on self healing concrete. Int J Eng Sci (IJES) 8(5):47–54. https://doi.org/10.5923/j.jce.20150503.01
Mauludin LM, Oucif C (2019) Modeling of self-healing concrete: a review. J Appl Comput Mech 5(Special Issue 3):526–539. https://doi.org/10.22055/jacm.2017.23665.1167
Mondal S, Ghosh AD (2018) Investigation into the optimal bacterial concentration for compressive strength enhancement of microbial concrete. Constr Build Mater 183:202–214. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2018.06.176
Mostavi E, Asadi S, Hassan MM et al (2015) Evaluation of self-healing mechanisms in concrete with double-walled sodium silicate microcapsules. J Mater Civ Eng. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)MT.1943-5533.0001314
Muhammad NZ, Shafaghat A, Keyvanfar A et al (2016) Tests and methods of evaluating the self-healing efficiency of concrete: a review. Construct Build Mater. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2016.03.017
Nasim M, Dewangan UK, Deo SV (2020) Autonomous healing in concrete by crystalline admixture: a review. Mater Today Proc 32:638–644. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matpr.2020.03.116
Palin D, Wiktor V, Jonkers HM (2017) A bacteria-based self-healing cementitious composite for application in low-temperature marine environments. Biomimetics. https://doi.org/10.3390/biomimetics2030013
Qian C, Chen H, Ren L et al (2015) Self-healing of early age cracks in cement-based materials by mineralization of carbonic anhydrase microorganism. Front Microbiol. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2015.01225
Rajczakowska M, Habermehl-Cwirzen K, Hedlund H et al (2019) Autogenous self-healing: a better solution for concrete. J Mater Civ Eng 31(9):3119001. https://doi.org/10.1061/(asce)mt.1943-5533.0002764
Rodrigues FA, Joekes I (2011) Cement industry: Sustainability, challenges and perspectives. Environ Chem Lett 9(2):151–166. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10311-010-0302-2
Sangadji S (2017) Can Self-healing mechanism helps concrete structures sustainable? Procedia Eng 171:238–249. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.proeng.2017.01.331
Seifan M, Samani AK, Berenjian A (2016) Bioconcrete: next generation of self-healing concrete. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00253-016-7316-z
Sidiq A, Gravina R, Giustozzi F (2019) Is concrete healing really efficient? A review. Construct Build Mater 205:257–273. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2019.02.002
Silva FB, Boon N, De Belie N et al (2015) Industrial application of biological self-healing concrete: challenges and economical feasibility. J Commer Biotechnol. https://doi.org/10.5912/jcb662
Sirtoli D, Wyrzykowski M, Riva P et al (2020) Autogenous and drying shrinkage of mortars based on Portland and calcium sulfoaluminate cements. Mater Struct/Materiaux et Construct 53(5). https://doi.org/10.1617/s11527-020-01561-1
Sisomphon K, Copuroglu O, Koenders EAB (2012) Self-healing of surface cracks in mortars with expansive additive and crystalline additive. Cement Concr Compos. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2012.01.005
Stanaszek-Tomal E (2020) Bacterial concrete as a sustainable building material? Sustainability. https://doi.org/10.3390/su12020696
Tang Y, Xu J (2021) Application of microbial precipitation in self-healing concrete: a review on the protection strategies for bacteria. Construct Build Mater 306. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2021.124950
Tang W, Kardani O, Cui H (2015) Robust evaluation of self-healing efficiency in cementitious materials—a review. Construct Build Mater 81:233–247. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2015.02.054
The BBC (2021) Nigeria’s Ikoyi building collapse: anger and frustration grows—BBC News. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-59149228
The Sahara Reporters (2021) How owner of collapsed 21-Storey Ikoyi building, engineers caused disaster—survivor|Sahara reporters. http://saharareporters.com/2021/11/11/how-owner-collapsed-21-storey-ikoyi-building-engineers-caused-disaster-survivor
Van Tittelboom K, De Belie N (2013) Self-healing in cementitious materials-a review. Materials. https://doi.org/10.3390/ma6062182
Van Belleghem B, Kessler S, Van den Heede P et al (2018) Chloride induced reinforcement corrosion behavior in self-healing concrete with encapsulated polyurethane. Cem Concr Res 113:130–139. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconres.2018.07.009
The Vangurad (2021) Nigeria’s full of cracks that need fixing not negotiations—Vanguard News. https://www.vanguardngr.com/2021/05/nigerias-full-of-cracks-that-need-fixing-not-negotiations/
Vijay K, Murmu M, Deo SV (2017) Bacteria based self healing concrete—a review. Construct Build Mater. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2017.07.040
Wang J, Van Tittelboom K, De Belie N et al (2012) Use of silica gel or polyurethane immobilized bacteria for self-healing concrete. Constr Build Mater. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2011.06.054
Wang J, Dewanckele J, Cnudde V et al (2014a) X-ray computed tomography proof of bacterial-based self-healing in concrete. Cement Concr Compos. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2014.07.014
Wang JY, Soens H, Verstraete W et al (2014b) Self-healing concrete by use of microencapsulated bacterial spores. Cem Concr Res 56:139–152. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconres.2013.11.009
Wang W, Zhong T, Wang X et al (2019) Research status of self-healing concrete. IOP Conf Ser Earth Environ Sci 218(1). https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/218/1/012037
Wiktor V, Jonkers HM (2011) Quantification of crack-healing in novel bacteria-based self-healing concrete. Cement Concr Compos. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2011.03.012
Wu M, Johannesson B, Geiker M (2012) A review: self-healing in cementitious materials and engineered cementitious composite as a self-healing material. Construct Build Mater 28(1):571–583. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2011.08.086
Xue C, Li W, Li J et al (2019) A review study on encapsulation-based self-healing for cementitious materials. Struct Concr 20(1):198–212. https://doi.org/10.1002/suco.201800177
Yang Z, Hollar J, He X et al (2011) A self-healing cementitious composite using oil core/silica gel shell microcapsules. Cement Concr Compos 33(4):506–512. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2011.01.010
Zhang J, Liu Y, Feng T et al (2017) Immobilizing bacteria in expanded perlite for the crack self-healing in concrete. Constr Build Mater. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2017.05.021
Zhang W, Zheng Q, Ashour A et al (2020) Self-healing cement concrete composites for resilient infrastructures: a review. Compos Part B Eng 189. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compositesb.2020.107892
Acknowledgements
The authors did not receive any financial support from any authority. The authors would like to thank Ravi Kumar for reading the manuscript.
Funding
The authors did not receive any financial support from any authority.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Contributions
All authors contributed equally to the article and approved the submitted version.
Corresponding author
Ethics declarations
Conflict of interest
The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest.
Consent for publication
The authors have full consent for publication.
Additional information
Publisher's Note
Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Hossain, M.R., Sultana, R., Patwary, M.M. et al. Self-healing concrete for sustainable buildings. A review. Environ Chem Lett 20, 1265–1273 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10311-021-01375-9
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10311-021-01375-9