High-efficiency techniques and micro-structural parameters to evaluate concrete self-healing using X-ray tomography and Mercury Intrusion Porosimetry: A review

Researchers have put significant effort into developing various healing agents for micro-crack closure to achieve a more durable structure and various destructive and non-destructive test methods are often used for the evaluation of concrete self-healing. In this paper, the use of the X-ray tomography and Mercury Intrusion Porosimetry is reviewed as the most advanced non-destructive test methodologies for the evaluation of concrete self-healing at the micro-structural level. The capabilities of the two test methods in correlation to self-healing in cementitious materials are presented via the void content, crack width/pore diameter and crack volume measurements. In addition, the paper suggests the geometrical aspect of voids as an alternative type of analysis for evaluating self-healing in cementitious materials.