Self-healing materials and structures for geotechnical and geo-environmental applications

The nature-inspired concept of self-healing materials in construction is relatively new and has recently attracted significant attention as this could bring about substantial savings in maintenance costs as well as enhance the durability and serviceability and improve the safety of our structures and infrastructure. Much of the research and applications to date has focused on concrete, for structural applications, and on asphalt, with significant advances being made. However, to date no attention has been given to the incorporation of self- healing concepts in geotechnical and geo-environmental applications. This includes the use of concrete and other stabilising agents in foundations and other geotechnical structures, grouts, grouted soil systems, soil-cement systems and slurry walls for ground improvement and land remediation applications. The recently established Materials for Life (M4L) project funded by EPSRC has initiated research activities in the UK focussing on those applications. The project involves the development and integration of the use of microcapsules, biological agents, shape memory polymers and vascular networks as healing systems. The authors are exploring development of self-healing systems using mineral admixtures, microencapsulation and bio-cementation applications. The paper presents an overview of those initiatives to date and potential applications and presents some relevant preliminary results