Abstract Traditional concrete made with the use of Portland cement is the industry standard and widely used in construction. However, it faces significant challenges in terms of long-term durability and reliability, particularly when exposed to harsh environmental conditions over prolonged periods. The major concern is the development of microcracks, which can compromise the structural integrity of the material. To combat these issues, extensive research is ongoing in the development of self-healing concrete through the use of biomineralizing bacteria that can detect and heal the cracks automatically, eliminating the need for analytical monitoring or human intervention. Additionally, researchers are exploring the use of different materials, ranging from polymers to synthetic materials, including nanoparticles, to enhance the functionality of concrete, apart from its load-bearing ability, which essentially develops a form of multifunctional concrete. In this review, we aim to discuss the different technologies that are being studied for the development of sustainable multifunctional concrete; the different materials used, the protocols involved and their overall mechanistic properties to facilitate a comparison and summarize the future research. We also aim to segregate and discuss which approach results in better outcomes, considering the economic factors, including scalability and ease of use in terms of application in the real world.
Pongen et al. (Fri,) studied this question.
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