Improving the Autogenous Self-Sealing of Mortar: Influence of Curing Condition

Abstract

With the construction of projects under severe environments, new and higher requirements are put forward for the properties of concrete, especially the autogenous self-sealing property, which is greatly affected by the curing environment and the state of the water. Herein, six types of curing conditions, including in air with a relative humidity of 30%, 60%, and 95%; flowing water; wet-dry cycles; and static water, are designed to investigate the autogenous self-sealing of mortar under different curing conditions. The results showed that the self-sealing ratios are higher than 60% and the cracks are closed for the mortar undergoing the wet-dry cycles and the static water. However, the self-sealing ratios of mortar are lower than 10% and the cracks are almost unchanged when the mortar is cured in the air with a relative humidity (RH) of 30% and 60%. The static liquid water is more conducive to the continued hydration of cement and the formation of CaCO ₃ than the flowing water. The research provides guidance for the design of concrete and the improvement of autogenous self-sealing when the concrete serves in different environments.