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 Bio-inspired Restoration of Aged Concrete Edifices (BRACE) program aims to develop self-healing concrete technologies to extend the lifespan of critical military infrastructure, such as runways.
The program proposes using "vascularization," mimicking biological systems, to transport healing materials (potentially microorganisms) deep into existing concrete to repair cracks internally before they surface.
This initiative seeks to address the high costs and downtime associated with repairing aging military concrete assets, particularly in austere or expeditionary settings, and could eventually have significant civilian applications.

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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.