Curable Area Substantiation of Self-Healing in Concrete Using Neutral Axis.

Featured Application: This study substantiates a curable area with self-healing in concrete material using a flexural test. The neutral axis was estimated as tension strains from attached successive strain gauge, and this before and after healing specified the curable area. The self-healing nature of concrete has been proved in many studies using various methods. However, the underlying mechanisms and the distinct area of self-healing have not been identified in detail. This study focuses on the limits of the area of self-healing. A bending specimen with a notch is used herein, and its flexural strength and stiffness before and after healing are compared and used for self-healing assessment. In addition, the neutral axis of the specimen was measured using successive strain gauges attached to the crack propagation part. Although the strength and stiffness of the concrete recovered after self-healing, the change in the location of the neutral axis before and after healing was insignificant, which indicates that physical recovery did not occur for once-opened crack areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]