DARPA Project Seeks Self-Healing Concrete for Infrastructure, Runway Repair

If successful, the strategy for repairing aging concrete by mimicking biological systems could extend the life of critical military airfields and runways.

Kimberly Johnson

Wednesday, April 20, 2022 at 09:12 AM ET

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Runway repairs, like the ones made in 2020 to the north runway at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (KFLL), can cost millions of dollars. DARPA's project could lessen these costs. [File photo: Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport

Key Takeaways:

DARPA's new BRACE program aims to develop self-healing concrete technologies for aging military infrastructure.
The program seeks to use bio-inspired "vascularization" to repair cracks deep within concrete, like runways and missile silos, before they reach the surface.
This initiative addresses the significant costs and logistical challenges of repairing critical, often remote, Department of Defense concrete assets.
The goal is to extend the service life of existing structures by several decades, potentially offering future benefits for civilian infrastructure as well.

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Editor’s Note: This article is part of special series spotlighting runways: April 18: America’s Longest Runways | America’s Shortest Runways | April 19: 11 Fun Faces About Runways | April 20: Self-healing Concrete and How It Can Save Runways | April 21: Old Military Runways | April 22: Remembering Meigs Field

If a new Defense Department program is successful, cracks in aging concrete could one day fix themselves on the inside before their destruction reaches the surface, extending the lifespace of critical military infrastructure, such as runways and airfield pavement.