Rabie, Mohamed, Bahadori-Jahromi, Ali ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0405-7146 and Shaaban, Ibrahim ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4051-341X (2025) Optimisation of glass and carbon fibre-reinforced concrete with external enzymatic self-healing: an experimental and environmental impact study. Buildings, 15 (19).

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Abstract

This study evaluates glass and carbon fibre-reinforced concrete in terms of performance,
durability, environmental impact, and a novel enzymatic self-healing method. An experimental
program was conducted on seven concrete mixes, including a plain control
and mixes with varying dosages of glass and carbon fibres. Glass and carbon fibres were
incorporated at identical dosages of 0.12%, 0.22%, and 0.43% fibre volume fraction (Vf ) to
enable direct comparison of their performance. The experimental investigation involved
a comprehensive characterization of the concrete mixes. Fresh properties were evaluated
via slump tests, while hardened properties were determined through compressive and
split tensile strength testing. Durability was subsequently assessed by measuring the
rate of water absorption, bulk density, and moisture content. Following this material
characterization, a cradle-to-gate Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) was conducted to quantify
the embodied carbon and energy. Finally, an evaluation of a novel Carbonic Anhydrase
(CA)-based self-healing treatment on pre-cracked, optimised fibre-reinforced specimens
was conducted. The findings highlight key performance trade-offs associated with fibre
reinforcement. Although both fibre types reduced compressive strength, they markedly
improved split tensile strength for glass fibres by up to 70% and carbon fibres by up to 35%.
Durability responses diverged: glass fibres increased water absorption, while carbon fibres
reduced water absorption at low doses, indicating reduced permeability. LCA showed a
significant rise in environmental impact, particularly for carbon fibres, which increased
embodied energy by up to 141%. The CA enzymatic solution enhanced crack closure in
fibre-reinforced specimens, achieving up to 30% healing in carbon fibre composites. These
findings suggest that fibre-reinforced enzymatic self-healing concrete offers potential for
targeted high-durability applications but requires careful life-cycle optimisation.

Item Type:	Article
Identifier:	10.3390/buildings15193455
Keywords:	enzyme (Carbonic Anhydrase); life cycle assessment (LCA); self-healing concrete; durability; carbon fibre; glass fibre
Subjects:	Construction and engineering
Date Deposited:	29 Sep 2025 13:01
Last Modified:	29 Sep 2025 13:45
URI:	https://repository.uwl.ac.uk/id/eprint/14122
Sustainable Development Goals:	Goal 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure	Sustainable Development Goals:	Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities	Sustainable Development Goals:	Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production	Sustainable Development Goals:	Goal 13: Climate Action

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