Title:
Effect of Silica Fume with Crystallizing Admixture on Self-Healing Engineered Cementitious Composite
Author(s):
Hinoel Ehrenbring, Fernanda Pacheco, Roberto Christ, and Bernardo Tutikian
Publication:
Materials Journal
Volume:
123
Issue:
1
Appears on pages(s):
113-126
Keywords:
crystallizing admixture (CA); engineered cementitious composite (ECC); polymer fibers; self-healing; silica fume (SF)
DOI:
10.14359/51749265
Date:
1/1/2026
Abstract:
This study aimed to evaluate the effect of isolated silica fume (SF) and SF combined with three contents of crystallizing admixture (CA) in the self-healing of engineered cementitious composites (ECCs) with different polymeric fibers. Self-healing was evaluated in coupon specimens subjected to bending to produce cracking. Healing products were evaluated in the cracks within 84 days. Exposure conditions for self-healing were water-saturated (SAT) and wetting-and-drying (WD) cycles. The results showed that the composites with isolated SF presented a continuous layer of healing product, covering widths of up to 100 μm. The final widths for these composites were 40 μm for different conditions. In composites with CA, the volume of product generated (gel) was considerably greater, causing it to leak out of the microcracks existing in the ECC, impairing healing. Thus, the results showed that the use of SF + CA reduced the ECC healing potential. Healing from the CA was spot-wise only, decreasing its healing potential. The performance of the crystallizing additive was impaired under WD conditions. Leaching was observed both under SAT and WD exposure conditions. More leaching was observed from WD, while SAT formed a more uniform product layer.
Related References:
1. Ranade, R.; Li, V. C.; Heard, W. F.; and Williams, B. A., “Impact Resistance of High Strength-High Ductility Concrete,” Cement and Concrete Research, V. 98, 2017, pp. 24-35. doi: 10.1016/j.cemconres.2017.03.013
2. Ehrenbring, H. Z.; Pacheco, F.; Christ, R.; and Tutikian, B. F., “Bending Behavior of Engineered Cementitious Composites (ECC) with Different Recycled and Virgin Polymer Fibers,” Construction and Building Materials, V. 346, 2022, p. 128355. doi: 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2022.128355
3. Mehdipour, I.; Zoughi, R.; and Khayat, K. H., “Feasibility of Using Near-Field Microwave Reflectometry for Monitoring Autogenous Crack Healing in Cementitious Materials,” Cement and Concrete Composites, V. 85, 2018, pp. 161-173. doi: 10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2017.10.014
4. Liu, H.; Zhang, Q.; Gu, C.; Su, H.; and Li, V. C., “Influence of Micro-Cracking on the Permeability of Engineered Cementitious Composites,” Cement and Concrete Composites, V. 72, 2016, pp. 104-113. doi: 10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2016.05.016
5. Chu, K.; Hossain, K. M. A.; and Lachemi, M., “Static and Fatigue Behaviour of ECC Link Slabs in Reinforced Concrete Girder Joint-Free Bridges,” Structures, V. 41, July 2022, pp. 1301-1310. doi: 10.1016/j.istruc.2022.05.080
6. Djerbi, A.; Bonnet, S.; Khelidj, A.; and Baroghel-bouny, V., “Influence of Traversing Crack on Chloride Diffusion Into Concrete,” Cement and Concrete Research, V. 38, No. 6, 2008, pp. 877-883. doi: 10.1016/j.cemconres.2007.10.007
7. Li, V. C., Engineered Cementitious Composites (ECC): Bendable Concrete for Sustainable and Resilient Infrastructure, Springer Nature, Berlin, Germany, 2019.
8. Blagojević, A., “The Influence of Cracks on the Durability and Service Life of Reinforced Concrete Structures in Relation to Chloride-Induced Corrosion,” PhD thesis, Delft University of Technology, Delft, the Netherlands, 2016. doi: 10.4233/uuid:53c9df52-2f80-4b0f-afeb-e82d69ca91f8
9. Chen, W.; Lin, B.; Feng, K.; Cui, S.; and Zhang, D., “Effect of Shape Memory Alloy Fiber Content and Preloading Level on the Self-Healing Properties of Smart Cementitious Composite (SMA-ECC),” Construction and Building Materials, V. 341, No. 25, 2022, p. 127797. doi: 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2022.127797
10. Zhang, Z.; Zhang, Q.; and Li, V. C., “Multiple-Scale Investigations on Self-Healing Induced Mechanical Property Recovery of ECC,” Cement and Concrete Composites, V. 103, 2019, pp. 293-302. doi: 10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2019.05.014
11. Ferrara, L.; Van Mullem, T.; Cruz Alonso, M.; Antonaci, P.; Borg, R. P.; Cuenca, E.; Jefferson, A.; Ng, P.-L.; Peled, A.; Roig-Flores, M.; Sanchez, M.; Schroefl, C.; Serna, P.; Snoeck, D.; Tulliani, J. M.; and De Belie, N., “Experimental Characterization of the Self-Healing Capacity of Cement Based Materials and Its Effects on the Material Performance: A State of the Art Report by COST Action SARCOS WG2,” Construction and Building Materials, V. 167, 2018, pp. 115-142. doi: 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2018.01.143
12. van Breugel, K., “Is There a Market for Self-Healing Cement-Based Materials?” 1st International Conference on Self Healing Materials, Noordwijk aan Zee, the Netherlands, 2007, https://cyberleninka.org/article/n/1222155.pdf. (last accessed Dec. 19, 2025)
13. Dry, C. M., “Three Designs for the Internal Release of Sealants, Adhesives, and Waterproofing Chemicals Into Concrete to Reduce Permeability,” Cement and Concrete Research, V. 30, No. 12, 2000, pp. 1969-1977. doi: 10.1016/S0008-8846(00)00415-4
14. Alghamri, R.; Kanellopoulos, A.; and Al-Tabbaa, A., “Impregnation and Encapsulation of Lightweight Aggregates for Self-Healing Concrete,” Construction and Building Materials, V. 124, 2016, pp. 910-921. doi: 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2016.07.143
15. Dry, C. M., “Procedures Developed for Self-Repair of Polymer Matrix Composite Materials,” Composite Structures, V. 35, No. 3, 1996, pp. 263-269. doi: 10.1016/0263-8223(96)00033-5
16. Van Tittelboom, K., and de Belie, N., “Self-Healing in Cementitious Materials: A Review,” Materials, V. 6, No. 6, 2013, pp. 2182-2217. doi: 10.3390/ma6062182
17. Stutzman, P. E., “Scanning Electron Microscopy in Concrete Petrography,” Materials Science of Concrete, Special Volume: Calcium Hydroxide in Concrete, J. P. Skalny, J. Gebauer, and I. Odler, eds., Wiley-Blackwell, Hoboken, NJ, 2001, pp. 59-72.
18. Muller, V.; Pacheco, F.; Carvalho, C. M.; Fernandes, F.; Valiati, V. H.; Modolo, R. C. E.; Ehrenbring, H. Z.; and Tutikian, B. F., “Analysis of Cementitious Matrices Self-Healing with Bacillus Bacteria,” Revista IBRACON de Estruturas e Materiais, V. 15, No. 4, 2022, pp. 1-17. doi: 10.1590/s1983-41952022000400004
19. Feng, H.; Nie, S.; Guo, A.; Lv, L.; and Yu, J., “Evaluation on the Performance of Magnesium Phosphate Cement-Based Engineered Cementitious Composites (MPC-ECC) with Blended Fly Ash/Silica Fume,” Construction and Building Materials, V. 341, No. 25, 2022, p. 127861. doi: 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2022.127861
20. Reddy, C. M. K.; Ramesh, B.; and Macrin, D., “Effect of Crystalline Admixtures, Polymers and Fibers on Self Healing Concrete—A Review,” Materials Today: Proceedings, V. 33, Part 1, 2020, pp. 763-770. doi: 10.1016/j.matpr.2020.06.122
21. Richard, A., and Krithika, P., “An Experimental Investigation of Self-Healing Property on ECC with PP and PVA Fibers Using Bacteria under Different Exposure,” International Journal of Innovative Technology and Exploring Engineering, V. 8, No. 7, 2019, pp. 1886-1891.
22. Tang, W.; Kardani, O.; and Cui, H., “Robust Evaluation of Self-Healing Efficiency in Cementitious Materials: A Review,” Construction and Building Materials, V. 81, 2015, pp. 233-247. doi: 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2015.02.054
23. Li, V. C., and Herbert, E., “Robust Self-Healing Concrete for Sustainable Infrastructure,” Journal of Advanced Concrete Technology, V. 10, No. 6, 2012, pp. 207-218. doi: 10.3151/jact.10.207
24. Yıldırım, G.; Keskin, O. K.; Keskin, S. B.; Sahmaran, M.; and Lachemi, M., “A Review of Intrinsic Self-Healing Capability of Engineered Cementitious Composites: Recovery of Transport and Mechanical Properties,” Construction and Building Materials, V. 101, Part 1, 2015, pp. 10-21. doi: 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2015.10.018
25. Cuenca, E.; Tejedor, A.; and Ferrara, L., “A Metology to Assess Crack-Sealing Effectiveness of Crystalline Admixtures under Repeated Cracking-Healing Cycles,” Construction and Building Materials, V. 179, 2018, pp. 619-632. doi: 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2018.05.261
26. Gupta, S.; Pang, S. D.; and Kua, H. W., Autonomous Healing in Concrete by Bio-Based Healing Agents: A Review,” Construction and Building Materials, V. 146, 2017, pp. 419-428. doi: 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2017.04.111
27. ASTM C150/C150M-21, “Standard Specification for Portland Cement,” ASTM International, West Conshohocken, PA, 2021, 9 pp.
28. JSCE 82, “Recommendations for Design and Construction of High Performance Fiber Reinforced Cement Composites with Multiple Fine Cracks (HPFRCC),” Japan Society of Civil Engineers, Tokyo, Japan, 2008.
29. Wiktor, V., and Jonkers, H. M., “Quantification of Crack-Healing in Novel Bacteria-Based Self-Healing Concrete,” Cement and Concrete Composites, V. 33, No. 7, 2011, pp. 763-770. doi: 10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2011.03.012
30. Alyousif, A., “Self-Healing Capability of Engineered Cementitious Composites Incorporating Different Types of Pozzolanic Materials,” PhD dissertation, Ryerson University, Toronto, ON, Canada, 2016.
31. Lu, C.; Yuan, Z.; Yang, C.; Hou, D.; and Yao, Y., “Tensile Properties of PVA and PE Fiber Reinforced Engineered Cementitious Composites Containing Coarse Silica Sand,” Journal of Building Engineering, V. 75, 2023, p. 106913. doi: 10.1016/j.jobe.2023.106913
32. Zhou, J.; Qian, S.; Ye, G.; Copuroglu, O.; van Breugel, K.; and Li, V. C., “Improved Fiber Distribution and Mechanical Properties of Engineered Cementitious Composites by Adjusting the Mixing Sequence,” Cement and Concrete Composites, V. 34, No. 3, 2012, pp. 342-348. doi: 10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2011.11.019
33. Tosun-Felekoǧlu, K.; Felekoǧlu, B.; Ranade, R.; Lee, B. Y.; and Li, V. C., “The Role of Flaw Size and Fiber Distribution on Tensile Ductility of PVA-ECC,” Composites Part B: Engineering, V. 56, 2014, pp. 536-545. doi: 10.1016/j.compositesb.2013.08.089
34. Kewalramani, M. A.; Mohamed, O. A.; and Syed, Z. I., “Engineered Cementitious Composites for Modern Civil Engineering Structures in Hot Arid Coastal Climatic Conditions,” Procedia Engineering, V. 180, 2017, pp. 767-774. doi: 10.1016/j.proeng.2017.04.237
35. Lepech, M. D., and Li, V. C., “Long Term Durability Performance of Engineered Cementitious Composites,” Restoration of Buildings and Monuments, V. 12, No. 2, 2006, pp. 119-132. doi: 10.1515/rbm-2006-6038
36. Sahmaran, M.; Yildirim, G.; Noori, R.; and Ozbay, E., “Repeatability and Pervasiveness of Self-Healing in Engineered Cementitious Composites,” ACI Materials Journal, V. 111, No. 1, Jan.-Feb. 2014, pp. 513-522.
37. Yıldırım, G.; Khiavi, A. H.; Yesilman, S.; and Sahmaran, M., “Self-Healing Performance of Aged Cementitious Composites,” Cement and Concrete Composites, V. 87, 2018, pp. 172-186. doi: 10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2018.01.004
38. Yang, Y.; Lepech, M. D.; Yang, E.-H.; and Li, V. C., “Autogenous Healing of Engineered Cementitious Composites Under Wet-Dry Cycles,” Cement and Concrete Research, V. 39, No. 5, 2009, pp. 382-390. doi: 10.1016/j.cemconres.2009.01.013
39. Fan, S., and Li, M., “X-ray Computed Microtomography of Threedimensional Microcracks and Self-Healing in Engineered Cementitious Composites,” Smart Materials and Structures, V. 24, No. 1, 2015, pp. 015021. doi: 10.1088/0964-1726/24/1/015021
40. Roig-Flores, M.; Moscato, S.; Serna, P.; and Ferarra, L., “Self-Healing Capability of Concrete with Crystalline Admixtures in Different Environments,” Construction and Building Materials, V. 86, 2015, pp. 1-11. doi: 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2015.03.091
41. Khaliq, W., and Ehsan, M. B., “Crack Healing in Concrete Using Various Bio Influenced Self-Healing Techniques,” Construction and Building Materials, V. 102, 2016, pp. 349-357. doi: 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2015.11.006
42. Qiu, J.; Tan, H. S.; and Yang, E. H., Coupled Effects of Crack Width, Slag Content, and Conditioning Alkalinity on Autogenous Healing of Engineered Cementitious Composites,” Cement and Concrete Composites, V. 73, 2016, pp. 203-212. doi: 10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2016.07.013
43. Pacheco, F., “Análise da Eficácia dos Mecanismos de Autocicatrização do Concreto,” PhD thesis, Universidade do Vale do Rio dos Sinos, São Leopoldo, Brazil, 2020, http://www.repositorio.jesuita.org.br/handle/UNISINOS/9376. (last accessed Dec. 19, 2025)
44. Zhang, J.; Liu, Y.; Feng, T.; Zhou, M.; Zhao, L.; Zhou, A.; and Li, Z., “Immobilizing Bacteria in Expanded Perlite for the Crack Self-Healing in Concrete,” Construction and Building Materials, V. 148, 2017, pp. 610-617. doi: 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2017.05.021
45. Kan, L.-L.; Shi, H.-S.; Sakulich, A. R.; and Li, V. C., “Self-Healing Characterization of Engineered Cementitious Composite Materials,” ACI Materials Journal, V. 107, No. 6, Nov.-Dec. 2010, pp. 617-624.
46. Guzlena, S., and Sakale, G., “Self-Healing Concrete with Crystalline Admixture: A Review,” IOP Conference Series Materials Science and Engineering, V. 660, No. 1, 2019, p. 012057. doi: 10.1088/1757-899X/660/1/012057
47. Escoffres, P.; Desmettre, C.; and Charron, J.-P., “Effect of a Crystalline Admixture on the Self-Healing Capability of High-Performance Fiber Reinforced Concretes in Service Conditions,” Construction and Building Materials, V. 173, 2018, pp. 763-774. doi: 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2018.04.003
48. Oliveira, A. S.; Dweck, J.; Fairbaird, E. M. R.; Gomes, O. F. M.; and Filho, R. D. T., “Crystalline Admixture Effects on Crystal Formation Phenomena during Cement Pastes’ Hydration,” Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry, V. 139, No. 6, 2020, pp. 3361-3375. doi: 10.1007/s10973-019-08745-0
49. Ravitheja, A.; Reddy, T. C. S.; and Sashidhar, C., “Self-Healing Concrete with Crystalline Admixture: A Review,” Journal of Wuhan University of Technology. Materials Science Edition, V. 34, No. 5, 2019, pp. 1143-1154. doi: 10.1007/s11595-019-2171-2
50. Nasim, M.; Dewangan, U. K.; and Deo, S. V., “Effect of Crystalline Admixture, Fly Ash, and PVA Fiber on Self-Healing Capacity of Concrete,” Materials Today: Proceedings, V. 32, Part 4, 2020, pp. 844-849. doi: 10.1016/j.matpr.2020.04.062
51. Sisomphon, K.; Copuroglu, O.; and Koenders, E. A. B., “Self-Healing of Surface Cracks in Mortars with Expansive Additive and Crystalline Additive,” Cement and Concrete Composites, V. 34, No. 4, 2012, pp. 566-574. doi: 10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2012.01.005
52. Park, B., and Choi, Y. C., “Self-Healing Capability of Cementitious Materials with Crystalline Admixtures and Super Absorbent Polymers (SAPs),” Construction and Building Materials, V. 189, 2018, pp. 1054-1066. doi: 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2018.09.061
53. Takagi, E. M.; Lima, M. G.; Helene, P.; and Junior, R. A. M., “Self-Healing of Self-Compacting Concretes Made with Blast Furnace Slag Cements Activated by Crystalline Admixture,” International Journal of Materials and Product Technology, V. 56, No. 1/2, 2018, pp. 169-186. doi: 10.1504/IJMPT.2018.089116
54. Zhang, Z.; Yu, J.; Qin, F.; Huang, Y.; and Sun, F., “Mechanical and Self-Healing Properties of Calcium-Sulfoaluminate-Cement-Based Engineered Cementitious Composites (ECC),” Journal of Building Engineering, V. 77, 2023, p. 107512. doi: 10.1016/j.jobe.2023.107512