Construction Materials That Can Heal Themselves August 2026 Introduction Concrete is one of the most widely used construction materials because of its strength and durability. However, cracks can develop over time due to loading, temperature changes, shrinkage, and environmental conditions. Small cracks may gradually allow water and harmful chemicals to enter the structure, reducing its service life. Living concrete is an innovative material designed to address this problem naturally. It uses biological processes, such as bacteria or other living components, to repair cracks automatically. This technology has the potential to create stronger, longer-lasting, and more sustainable structures. Living concrete showing self-healing cracks and biological activity Evolution of Self-Healing Construction Materials Traditional concrete repair requires regular inspection, maintenance, and additional repair materials. Researchers first developed chemical-based self-healing systems to reduce these ...