On crack healing in fiber-reinforced cementitious composites incorporating mineral-based healing agent and superabsorbent polymer: Evaluation using modified permeability test method

In this study, the crack healing properties of fiber-reinforced engineered cementitious composites (ECCs) under incremental strains, various fiber contents, and incorporation of a mineral-based self-healing agent (SHA) and a superabsorbent polymer (SAP) were evaluated. A permeability test setup applicable to plain mortar samples was modified to evaluate the fiber-reinforced ECC samples under several strains and crack widths. Supplementary self-healing tests—resonant frequency (RF) recovery, stiffness recovery, and crack image inspection—were also conducted. Changes in the permeability, RF, stiffness, and crack images were monitored for 28 days after sample cracking, to evaluate self-healing. The findings showed that the permeability reduction of the ECCs was significantly influenced by the fiber content instead of by the addition of the SHA and the SAP. In addition, the SAP particles were observed to improve the self-healing properties of the ECC samples.