Application of Smart and Self-Healing Concrete in Future Constructions: A Comprehensive Review

The construction industry is undergoing a paradigm shift toward sustainable, durable, and intelligent infrastructure systems. Among the most promising innovations is self-healing concrete — a class of smart materials capable of autonomously or autogenously repairing microcracks that inevitably form during service life. This review synthesizes over a decade of research on self-healing concrete, drawing upon ۲۷ peer-reviewed publications to evaluate healing mechanisms, material efficiency, environmental performance, scalability, and real-world applicability. The paper categorizes self-healing technologies into autogenous (intrinsic) and autonomous (extrinsic) systems, including crystalline admixtures, mineral expansive agents, superabsorbent polymers, encapsulated healing agents (micro- and macrocapsules), vascular networks, and microbial-induced calcite precipitation. Emphasis is placed on healing efficiency under realistic environmental conditions, durability in aggressive media (e.g., chloride exposure), mechanical recovery, and life-cycle benefits. Case studies from field applications in the UK and laboratory validations across Europe demonstrate the maturity of certain technologies while highlighting remaining challenges in cost, scalability, and standardization. The review concludes with strategic recommendations for future research, policy integration, and industrial adoption to accelerate the deployment of self-healing concrete as a cornerstone of resilient, low-maintenance, and carbon-efficient future infrastructure.

کلیدواژه ها:

Self-healing concrete ، Smart materials ، Crack repair ، Microcapsules ، Bacteria-based healing