This breakthrough has profound implications for the industry of concrete. Concrete is among the most commonly used construction materials around the globe, so finding ways to increase its strength and self-healing can make a huge difference to the durability of our infrastructure. From concrete driveways, industrial sandblasting and floor tiling technology has the potential to change how we approach concrete’s construction and maintenance.
The technology could also be used in different sectors, for example concrete repair and pre-ressed concrete. The applications that could be made of self-healing concrete are innumerable, and it’s thrilling to think about the possibilities it could bring to the construction industry.
Scientists are now able to provide the reason for why the buildings constructed by the early Romans have stood up to the test of the time. Thanks to this breakthrough understanding of the properties of pozzolan and its function in the ancient Roman self-healing cement, the concrete industry could be able to be a major step forward in developing more robust and long-lasting infrastructure for the coming years. It’s a great time to be in concrete and the future of infrastructure appears promising thanks to this technology.
The self-healing properties of concrete
Concrete that can self-heal is one type of concrete. It is capable of repairing itself when cracks begin to form. It is possible due to the addition of a specific ingredient called pozzolan. It is an ingredient in volcanic ash.
Pozzolan mixed with seawater and lime causes chemical reactions which cause crystal formation. Crystals that form fill in cracks in the concrete, preventing future deterioration. This process is referred to as ‘autogenous healing’ and could occur without the need of human intervention.
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