Multi-Functional Self-Healing Concrete with Self-Sensing and Autonomous Structural Health Monitoring Capabilities

https://doi.org/10.46610/JoST.2026.v011i02.004

Abstract

The current research work aims to develop self-healing concrete with improved mechanical properties, durability, self-sensing ability, and structural health monitoring capabilities using bacterial self-healing materials, crystalline materials, and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs). Twenty formulations of self-healing concrete were prepared based on varying the bacterial density, crystalline material dosages, and MWCNT contents. The best-performing formulation (M14) was found to have a compressive strength of 43.80 MPa and flexural strength of 6.12 MPa, which are an improvement of 39.05% and 46.41%, respectively, compared to the control concrete. An improvement in terms of durability was also observed, wherein water absorption, sorptivity, rapid chloride permeability, weight loss due to acid attack, sulphate-induced strength reduction, ultrasonic pulse velocity, and rebound hammer strength are 2.96%, 0.91 × 10⁻⁴ mm/s½, 1328 Coulombs, 3.61%, 3.05%, 5.06 km/s, and 43.64 MPa, respectively, implying excellent matrix integrity and surface hardness. The combined effects of microbe-based calcium carbonate formation, crystallization, and MWCNTs resulted in a tough and durable cementitious matrix with efficient crack healing capability.