Title:
Biologically Induced Self-Healing of Cement
Author(s):
Yue Weng, Jiaxin Chen, Max Greisinger, Emanuel Basler, Thomas Brück, Johann Plank, Dania Awad
Publication:
Symposium Paper
Volume:
370
Issue:
Appears on pages(s):
167-184
Keywords:
Coralline red algae; Portland cement; Microbially induced carbonate precipitation; Selfhealing; Crack monitoring; High-Mg calcite; Mineral precipitation; Seawater formulation; Curing
DOI:
10.14359/51751758
Date:
5/1/2026
Abstract:
An experimental study evaluated the effects of incorporating coralline red algae (CRA) at dosages of 0%, 0.1%, 0.5%, 1%, 2%, and 5% by weight of cement regarding self-healing of cracks in a prism (40 × 40 × 160 mm) filled with cement paste and mortar. Two batches were prepared to assess early performance and long-term self-healing behavior. The first batch was exposed to natural outdoor conditions to promote crack formation and observe potential autogenous healing behavior. The latter samples were subjected to curing in a climate chamber under wet-dry (deionized water or seawater formulation) and light-dark cycles (16 / 8 h). Initial workability, three days (3d) compressive/flexural strength, and microstructural analyses (SEM) were performed. Results revealed visible crack healing within 57 days in specimens holding 0.5% coralline red algae when exposed outdoors. Mortar specimens developed clearly visible white surface deposits, correlating positively with coralline red algae dosage, indicating that coralline red algae promoted the formation of minerals, which provided self-healing. Crushed coarse and pulverized coralline red algae, and mortar surface precipitates consisted of crystalline high-Mg calcite. When seawater formulation was introduced into the cement paste recipe to improve the coralline red algae survival, reduced flowability was observed, with no impact on early strength. Overall, coralline red algae improved the autogenous healing potential and mineralization capacity of cementitious materials, while simultaneously serving as a long-term carbon sink.
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