Application of Rotary-Kiln Manufactured Expanded Lightweight Aggregate in Self-Healing Concrete

Cracking is a significant concern for the durability of concrete infrastructure, resulting in a reduced service life and increased maintenance costs. Self-healing concrete (SHC) technologies offer promising approaches to seal cracks and restore the functionality of concrete structures automatically. However, various SHC techniques, such as encapsulated agents, bacteria-driven systems, and innovative materials, face substantial challenges in field application due to their complexity, fragility, or elevated costs. This paper presents a comprehensive review of these challenges while investigating the potential of rotary-kiln-produced lightweight aggregates (LWA), including expanded shale, expanded clay, and expanded slate, as a scalable and multifunctional solution for SHC. The porous nature of these argillaceous expanded materials enhances the transport and retention of water and healing agents, which are vital for maintaining bacterial viability and promoting autogenous healing. In contrast to many advanced SHC systems, expanded LWA are recognized for their durability, cost-effectiveness, and compatibility with traditional construction practices. This research provides an in-depth examination of LWA applications in SHC, emphasizing their technical feasibility, practical integration, and potential applications in modern construction.

کلیدواژه ها:

Self-healing Concrete ، lightweight aggregate ، expanded aggregate ، crack sealing ، Autogenous Healing