Modeling microcapsule-enabled self-healing cementitious composite materials using discrete element method

2017 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 340-357 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shuai Zhou ◽  
Hehua Zhu ◽  
J Woody Ju ◽  
Zhiguo Yan ◽  
Qing Chen
Keyword(s):  
Discrete Element Method ◽  
Healing Process ◽  
Compressive Loading ◽  
Discrete Element ◽  
Cementitious Materials ◽  
Self Healing ◽  
Healing Effect ◽  
Healing Agent ◽  
Damage Healing ◽  
Element Method

Concrete with a micro-encapsulated healing agent is appealing due to its self-healing capacity. The discrete element method (DEM) is emerging as an increasingly used approach for investigating the damage phenomenon of materials at the microscale. It provides a promising way to study the microcapsule-enabled self-healing concrete. Based on the experimental observation and DEM, a three-dimensional damage-healing numerical model of microcapsule-enabled self-healing cementitious materials under compressive loading is proposed. The local healing effect can be simulated in our model, as well as the stress concentration effect and the partial healing effect. The healing variable of the DEM model is developed to describe the healing process. We examine the dependence of the mechanical properties of the microcapsule-enabled self-healing material on (a) the stiffness of the solidified healing agent, (b) the strength of the solidified healing agent, (c) the initial damage of specimens, and (d) the partial healing effect. In particular, the proposed numerical damage-healing model demonstrates the potential capability to explain and simulate the physical behavior of microcapsule-enabled self-healing materials on the microscale.

scholarly journals Biological Self-Healing of Cement Paste and Mortar by Non-Ureolytic Bacteria Encapsulated in Alginate Hydrogel Capsules

Materials ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (17) ◽  
pp. 3711
Author(s):  
Mohammad Fahimizadeh ◽  
Ayesha Diane Abeyratne ◽  
Lee Sui Mae ◽  
R. K. Raman Singh ◽  
Pooria Pasbakhsh
Keyword(s):  
Cement Paste ◽  
Healing Process ◽  
Cementitious Materials ◽  
The Self ◽  
Self Healing ◽  
Alkaline Conditions ◽  
Healing Agent ◽  
Encapsulated Bacteria ◽  
The Right

Crack formation in concrete is one of the main reasons for concrete degradation. Calcium alginate capsules containing biological self-healing agents for cementitious materials were studied for the self-healing of cement paste and mortars through in vitro characterizations such as healing agent survivability and retention, material stability, and biomineralization, followed by in situ self-healing observation in pre-cracked cement paste and mortar specimens. Our results showed that bacterial spores fully survived the encapsulation process and would not leach out during cement mixing. Encapsulated bacteria precipitated CaCO3 when exposed to water, oxygen, and calcium under alkaline conditions by releasing CO32− ions into the cement environment. Capsule rupture is not required for the initiation of the healing process, but exposure to the right conditions are. After 56 days of wet–dry cycles, the capsules resulted in flexural strength regain as high as 39.6% for the cement mortar and 32.5% for the cement paste specimens. Full crack closure was observed at 28 days for cement mortars with the healing agents. The self-healing system acted as a biological CO32− pump that can keep the bio-agents retained, protected, and active for up to 56 days of wet-dry incubation. This promising self-healing strategy requires further research and optimization.

scholarly journals An experimental and numerical study on vascular self-healing cementitious materials

2019 ◽  
Vol 289 ◽  
pp. 01004 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anthony Jefferson ◽  
Tharmesh Selvarajoo ◽  
Brubeck Freeman ◽  
Robert Davies
Keyword(s):  
Capillary Flow ◽  
Transport Model ◽  
Numerical Study ◽  
Cementitious Materials ◽  
Experimental Investigations ◽  
Self Healing ◽  
Direct Tension ◽  
Strong Discontinuities ◽  
Healing Agent ◽  
Damage Healing

This paper gives an overview of a combined experimental-numerical study on vascular self-healing (SH) systems for cementitious composite materials. The work aimed to bridge the gap between numerical and experimental investigations for this type of SH system and to provide a set of data for developing, calibrating and validating a finite element model for these materials. The study investigated both healing-agent transport and mechanical damage-healing processes, including healing-agent curing. The experimental programme included mechanical tests on notched concrete beams and compact direct-tension specimens with inbuilt vascular healing systems, as well as tests to measure the transport properties of healing-agent within discrete concrete cracks and through the concrete matrix. The new coupled model employs elements with embedded strong discontinuities to simulate cracks and mechanical healing behaviour. A damage-healing constitutive model is described that simulates multiple damage-healing ‘events’. This mechanical model is coupled to discrete and continuum flow models that simulate healing-agent transport. The transport model accounts for pressurised and capillary flow, as well as curing-dependent flow properties. The main focus of this contribution is to show how these parallel programmes of work were combined so that the experimental observations guided the numerical developments and modelling questions were answered using experimental findings.

Discrete element method to model cracking for two layer systems

TAPPI Journal ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 101-108
Author(s):  
Daniel Varney ◽  
Douglas Bousfield
Keyword(s):  
Discrete Element Method ◽  
Flexural Modulus ◽  
Single Layer ◽  
Discrete Element ◽  
Flexural Stress ◽  
Layer System ◽  
Three Point Bending ◽  
Moving Force ◽  
Coating Layers ◽  
Element Method

Cracking at the fold is a serious issue for many grades of coated paper and coated board. Some recent work has suggested methods to minimize this problem by using two or more coating layers of different properties. A discrete element method (DEM) has been used to model deformation events for single layer coating systems such as in-plain and out-of-plain tension, three-point bending, and a novel moving force picking simulation, but nothing has been reported related to multiple coating layers. In this paper, a DEM model has been expanded to predict the three-point bending response of a two-layer system. The main factors evaluated include the use of different binder systems in each layer and the ratio of the bottom and top layer weights. As in the past, the properties of the binder and the binder concentration are input parameters. The model can predict crack formation that is a function of these two sets of factors. In addition, the model can predict the flexural modulus, the maximum flexural stress, and the strain-at-failure. The predictions are qualitatively compared with experimental results reported in the literature.

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