Trade Journals for the Concrete Industry

This study presents the potential of using magnesium oxide (MgO) based pellets with the aim of improving the self-healing capability of cementitious composite cracks. Laboratory developed prototype pellets were encapsulated in a polyvinyl alcohol based film coating. An amount of 10% natural sand was replaced by coated pellets in the used mortar mix. The effect of pellet additions on the mechanical properties was examined by means of a compressive strength test. In addition, the self-healing efficacy was verified through three-point flexural strength and gas permeability testing. Pellets showed minimal influence on the compressive strength of the hardened specimens. Moreover, the results indicated that the mortar samples containing the prototype pellets possessed promising crack self-healing performance compared to the control specimens. Furthermore, these self-healing pellets were tested in the case of lightweight concrete blocks, which were used with wall sections atop the James Dyson building at the engineering department campus of the University of Cambridge.