Simulation of self-healing of dolomitic lime mortar

In the present research a test procedure was set up to reproduce self-healing on lime-based (both pure calcium and magnesium-calcium) mortar specimens in laboratory. After few months testing, during which the specimens were subjected to wet-dry cycles, thin sections of the specimens were prepared and observed by Polarization and Fluorescence Microscopy (PFM) and by Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) equipped with Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). The specimens prepared with dolomitic lime showed the occurrence of self-healing: a magnesium compound is observed filling cracks and voids. These results suggest new possibilities for the development of dolomitic lime mortars with an increased self-healing capacity.