On mitigating rebar–concrete interface damages due to the pre-cracking phenomena using superabsorbent polymers

•Low dosage of SAP has comparable bond strength in uncracked concrete.•Large-size SAP has similar bond strength, as compared to the smaller size.•High dosage of SAP has considerable effect on self-healing at rebar-concrete interface.•Self-healing at rebar-concrete interface has no effect on splitting bond failure.•EDS test confirms a considerable mass percent of calcium in the healed products.