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Journal article
Endodontics-inspired vasculature in aged-damaged cementitious composites for targeted delivery of healing agents
Materials and Structures, v 59(5), 244
01 Jun 2026
Featured in Collection : Research Supported by Drexel Libraries' OA Programs
Abstract
Inspired by vascular systems in Nature and root canal techniques in dentistry, this study proposes a externally assisted bio-inspired repair strategy for aged concrete. Artificial channels (like arteries) are created from the surface of cementitious composites via micro-drilling and connected to existing subsurface crack networks, forming a vascular-like system capable of providing controllable repair by delivering healing agents to damaged regions. Healing agents composed of agar biopolymer and L. sphaericus bacteria are injected through the created vasculature to initiate microbially induced calcium carbonate precipitation (MICCP). Experimental results confirm that the biological agents can be delivered effectively through artificial vasculature to subsurface crack location with the help of drilled channel and provides higher amount of biological calcium carbonate precipitation in the crack area compared to non-drilled samples. Additionally, the effect of drilled vasculature on mechanical performance of concrete due to concrete material removal is evaluated. The mechanical impact of drilling is found to be manageable by controlling drilling dimension, specimen dimension, aggregates size, drilling types and channel design which suggests that the creation of vasculature leads to controllable mechanical effects on the cementitious composites. The effect of the drilled channel on the fracture pattern is also simulated using phase-field modeling and verified with experimental results. Furthermore, the analysis on MICCP media delivery is conducted by dynamic rheometer, light microscopy, image processing and thermogravimetric techniques. These methodologies are used to examine the transport dynamics of the biological healing agents and to quantify their integration depth inside the crack volume. The findings of this study reveal that creation of engineered drilling channel in aged concrete can deliver healing agents in the desired region of interest without significant human intervention which enhances MICCP-based controlled crack healing.
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Details
- Title
- Endodontics-inspired vasculature in aged-damaged cementitious composites for targeted delivery of healing agents
- Creators
- Mohammad Irfan Iqbal (Corresponding Author) - Drexel University, Civil, Architectural, and Environmental EngineeringHsiao Wei Lee - Drexel University, Mechanical Engineering and MechanicsGeetika Mishra - Drexel University, Civil, Architectural, and Environmental EngineeringIrene Verdu Fillola - Drexel University, Civil, Architectural, and Environmental EngineeringLi Meng - Drexel University, Mechanical Engineering and MechanicsEthan H Yen - Drexel University, Civil, Architectural, and Environmental EngineeringAhmad Raeisi Najafi - Drexel University, Mechanical Engineering and MechanicsChristopher Sales - Drexel University, Civil, Architectural, and Environmental EngineeringMija H. Hubler - University of Colorado BoulderYaghoob “Amir” Farnam - Drexel University, Civil, Architectural, and Environmental Engineering
- Publication Details
- Materials and Structures, v 59(5), 244
- Publisher
- Springer Nature
- Number of pages
- 23
- Grant note
- Defense Sciences Office, DARPA
The experiments reported in this paper were conducted in the Advanced Infrastructure Materials (AIM) Laboratory and the Sales Laboratory at Drexel University. This research is funded by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). The views and conclusions contained in this document are those of the authors and should not be interpreted as representing the official policies, either expressed or implied, of the U.S. Government. The authors would like to thank Rachel Coler for helping to conduct a rheometer test.
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Civil, Architectural, and Environmental Engineering; Mechanical Engineering and Mechanics
- Web of Science ID
- WOS:001782207700007
- Scopus ID
- 2-s2.0-105040680580
- Other Identifier
- 991022182174804721