The technology of concrete is changing rapidly, offering exciting new possibilities for engineering, construction and the global economy. One of the biggest areas where new methods and ideas are changing the concrete industry is in road design. Worldwide, roads and highways utilize a massive amount of concrete, and absorb a massive amount of money, effort and time to repair and maintain them.
An inherent weaknesses of concrete is the natural tendency to develop cracks, which weaken the aggregate and expose reinforcement to corrosion. But several research labs are offering an innovative solution called “self-healing concrete”. Recently British researchers announced they are closer to fielding a practical concrete material that can fill cracks unaided, and save time, money and road repair costs.
The idea is to introduce “micro encapsulated materials” (either biological or not), into the aggregate. When a crack forms and exposes that material to light, heat or air, it will congeal to “heal” the crack. Several universities have successfully tested the concept, including Delft Univ. in the Netherlands, and several top UK institutions.
Here’s a video from a reacher at Delft showing how their solution uses a biological agent, a bacteria, to inject inject into the aggregate.
In this one, a TED Talk, the researcher is demonstrating a heat-activated agent that heals cracks in asphalt.
And a few links to more information on this fascinating topic.
