Title: Accurate computational modelling for impacts of microcapsule size and interfacial fracture properties on the fracture of self-healing concrete

Authors: John Hanna

Addresses: Institute of Structural Mechanics, Bauhaus University Weimar, 99423 Weimar, Germany

Abstract: The fracture of microcapsules in the encapsulation-based self-healing concrete is the most important aspect to release the healing agents and hence heal the cracks. This paper studied computationally the impacts of the microcapsule size and the interfacial fracture proprieties between the microcapsule and the concrete on the fracture mechanism of the self-healing concrete (SHC). The proposed modelling combined the extended finite element method (XFEM) and cohesive surface technique to model the fracture of uniaxial tensile test SHC specimens. When compared to the zero thickness cohesive element approach on the same specimens, the proposed model shows high accuracy in determining load carrying capability and fracture pattern. The interfacial fracture properties and core-shell thickness of the microcapsule determine whether it fractures or debonds. The microcapsule with the thinnest shell is more likely to be fractured.

Keywords: self-healing concrete; SHC; microcapsule; encapsulation-based self-healing concrete; computational fracture modelling; extended finite element method; XFEM; cohesive surface; interfacial fracture properties; microcapsule core-shell ratio.

DOI: 10.1504/IJHM.2022.127036

International Journal of Hydromechatronics, 2022 Vol.5 No.4, pp.397 - 415

Received: 17 Dec 2021
Accepted: 14 Feb 2022
Published online: 18 Nov 2022 *

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