Mechanical Behavior and Healing Efficiency of Microcapsule-Based Cemented Coral Sand under Various Water Environments

The cracks in the cemented coral sand (CCS) would result in significant damage for the marine structures. In this study, the effective and efficiency of microcapsules in self-healing CCS under various water environments were investigated with a series of experimental tests. Firstly, a new preparation method was proposed to fabricate the microcapsules with a wide particle size distribution, which was adapted to the high porosity, large difference in pore size, and uneven distribution of CCS. Secondly, the mechanical properties of microcapsule-based CCS were examined by the uniaxial compressive tests and split Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB) tests. The results indicated that the microcapsule could improve the initial strength of CCS. The CCS mixed with 3% of the microcapsule that synthesized under a rotating speed of 450 rmp had the highest compressive strength at the initial strain state. Finally, the healing efficiency of microcapsule for CCS was investigated in various environmental conditions, which were freshwater, seawater, and water of various pH values. The non-destructive experiment approach of the piezoelectric transducer (PZT) test was adopted to evaluate the healing efficiency of microcapsules. Experimental results indicated that the healing efficiency of microcapsules in freshwater and seawater were 75% and 59.56%, respectively. In contrast, the acid and alkali water environment would greatly reduce the healing efficiency of microcapsules in CCS.