A comprehensive review on the performance, mechanisms and design of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)-enabled self-healing concrete

Miao, Y; Dong, W; Qu, F; Fan, Y; Ye, H; Tian, Z; Yoo, DY; Tsang, DCW; Li, W

A comprehensive review on the performance, mechanisms and design of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)-enabled self-healing concrete

Miao, Y Dong, W Qu, F Fan, Y Ye, H Tian, Z Yoo, DY Tsang, DCW Li, W

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Publisher:: ELSEVIER
Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: Journal of Building Engineering, 2026, 127
Issue Date:: 2026-06-01

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Miao, Y
dc.contributor.author	Dong, W
dc.contributor.author	Qu, F
dc.contributor.author	Fan, Y
dc.contributor.author	Ye, H
dc.contributor.author	Tian, Z
dc.contributor.author	Yoo, DY
dc.contributor.author	Tsang, DCW
dc.contributor.author	Li, W https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4651-1215
dc.date.accessioned	2026-10-14T03:34:42Z
dc.date.available	2026-10-14T03:34:42Z
dc.date.issued	2026-06-01
dc.identifier.citation	Journal of Building Engineering, 2026, 127
dc.identifier.issn	2352-7102
dc.identifier.issn	2352-7102
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/197223
dc.description.abstract	This review critically examines the roles, mechanisms, and future potential of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) in self-healing concrete, with particular emphasis on the effects of polymer form, degree of polymerization (DP), and degree of alcoholysis (DA). Most of existing studies focus predominantly on PVA fibers for crack control. This review provides a comprehensive comparison between fiber-based and soluble PVA systems and evaluates their distinct influences on fresh properties, mechanical performance, durability, permeability, and self-healing efficiency. Recent experimental and simulation studies indicate that while PVA fibers mainly enhance autogenous self-healing by refining crack widths and providing nucleation sites, soluble PVA—especially low-DP variants—shows potential to actively promote autonomous healing through calcium-ion complexation and accelerated carbonate precipitation. Based on these comparisons and discussions, this review proposes a conceptual extension of the complexation–precipitation theory as a potential unifying framework to interpret PVA-enabled self-healing behavior. Key challenges related to workability, strength trade-offs, long-term durability, and cost are critically assessed. Finally, emerging perspectives are discussed, including synergistic use of multiscale PVA systems, integration with biomineralization agents, and broader extension of complexation-based healing strategies. This review aims to bridge material engineering performance with underlying chemical mechanisms, providing guidance for the rational design of next-generation self-healing concrete systems incorporating PVA.
dc.language	English
dc.publisher	ELSEVIER
dc.relation	http://purl.org/au-research/grants/arc/IH200100010
dc.relation	http://purl.org/au-research/grants/arc/DP220101051
dc.relation	http://purl.org/au-research/grants/arc/DP220100036
dc.relation	http://purl.org/au-research/grants/arc/FT220100177
dc.relation	http://purl.org/au-research/grants/arc/LP230100288
dc.relation	http://purl.org/au-research/grants/arc/LP240200692
dc.relation	http://purl.org/au-research/grants/arc/DP260100885
dc.relation.ispartof	Journal of Building Engineering
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1016/j.jobe.2026.116272
dc.rights	info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
dc.subject	0905 Civil Engineering, 1201 Architecture, 1202 Building
dc.subject.classification	3302 Building
dc.subject.classification	4005 Civil engineering
dc.title	A comprehensive review on the performance, mechanisms and design of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)-enabled self-healing concrete
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	127
utslib.for	0905 Civil Engineering
utslib.for	1201 Architecture
utslib.for	1202 Building
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology/School of Civil, Environmental & Sociotechnical Engineering
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney/UTS Groups
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney/UTS Groups/Centre for Built Infrastructure Resilience (CBIR)
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney/UTS Groups/Centre for Green Technology (CGT)
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney/UTS Groups/Centre for Green Technology (CGT)/Centre for Green Technology (CGT) Associate Members
utslib.copyright.status	open_access	*
dc.rights.license	This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0). To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
dc.date.updated	2026-10-14T03:34:39Z
pubs.publication-status	Published
pubs.volume	127

Abstract:

This review critically examines the roles, mechanisms, and future potential of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) in self-healing concrete, with particular emphasis on the effects of polymer form, degree of polymerization (DP), and degree of alcoholysis (DA). Most of existing studies focus predominantly on PVA fibers for crack control. This review provides a comprehensive comparison between fiber-based and soluble PVA systems and evaluates their distinct influences on fresh properties, mechanical performance, durability, permeability, and self-healing efficiency. Recent experimental and simulation studies indicate that while PVA fibers mainly enhance autogenous self-healing by refining crack widths and providing nucleation sites, soluble PVA—especially low-DP variants—shows potential to actively promote autonomous healing through calcium-ion complexation and accelerated carbonate precipitation. Based on these comparisons and discussions, this review proposes a conceptual extension of the complexation–precipitation theory as a potential unifying framework to interpret PVA-enabled self-healing behavior. Key challenges related to workability, strength trade-offs, long-term durability, and cost are critically assessed. Finally, emerging perspectives are discussed, including synergistic use of multiscale PVA systems, integration with biomineralization agents, and broader extension of complexation-based healing strategies. This review aims to bridge material engineering performance with underlying chemical mechanisms, providing guidance for the rational design of next-generation self-healing concrete systems incorporating PVA.

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http://hdl.handle.net/10453/197223