The combined role of crystalline admixture, basalt fiber, and microbes in tailoring the self-healing and permeability of alkali-activated Portland cement–slag

Abstract

This study systematically analyzes the combined effects of crystallization admixtures (CA), basalt fibers (BF), and microorganisms in alkali-activated Portland cement–slag (AAPCS), as well as their influence on mechanical properties and self-healing behavior. Through mechanical testing, strength recovery analysis, crack repair evaluation, water absorption measurements, and microstructural characterizations (X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Thermogravimetry–Derivative Thermogravimetry (TG–DTG), and Scanning Electron Microscopy–Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (SEM–EDS)), the self-healing mechanisms is elucidated, supported by statistical analysis of the data. The results show that improvements in mechanical properties, strength recovery, and water absorption are statistically significant at a confidence level of p < 0.05. B0.3C20 exhibited 28 d compressive and flexural strengths of 35.6 MPa and 6.6 MPa, respectively, representing increases of 43.5% and 34.7% compared with B0C0 (24.8 MPa and 4.9 MPa). After 28 d of self-healing, B0.3C10 achieved a strength recovery rate of 28.2%. The crack repair results show that the combined effect of CA and BF increases the maximum healed crack width to 0.81 mm. Water absorption tests show that the capillary absorption coefficient of B0.6C20 (0.034) is reduced by 60% compared with B0C0 (0.085), indicating significantly improved impermeability. XRD and FTIR confirmed that C-(A)-S–H and CaCO₃ are the main healing products, while TG and SEM–EDS further demonstrated the promoting impact of CA and BF on microbial self-healing performance.

Keywords

Alkali-activated Portland cement–slag / MICP / Crystalline admixture / Basalt fiber / Self-healing

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Funding

National Natural Science Foundation of China(No. 52108193)

RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS

The Author(s)