Enhancing the Self-Healing Properties of M25 Concrete Using Silica Fume and Superabsorbent Polymer: An Experimental Approach

Abstract: Concrete is a widely used construction material, but one of the significant problems is cracking in structures, which may later cause severe damage to the structure. An ultimate solution for this problem is the self-healing of concrete. This study employs an experimental approach to investigate self-healing in M25 grade concrete using silica fume and a superabsorbent polymer. This experimental approach utilised a fixed proportion of silica fume and SAP. The amount of silica fume was 10% of the cement weight, and 0.45% of SAP was added to increase the self-healing efficiency. The strength of the concrete specimen was also tested. It was found that concrete specimens made with silica fume, along with SAP, exhibit greater stability compared to concrete specimens made with silica fume alone. It was observed that crack closure in concrete made with silica fume took 33 days, while concrete specimens made with silica fume along with SAP took 17 days. This study demonstrates the potential of using silica fume and SAP in concrete to enhance the durability and lifespan of structures, thereby promoting sustainability.