International Journal of Science, Engineering and TechnologyExperimental Study on Bacterial Concrete
Southamirajan S, Harini M K, Madhumitha M, Amala P
Abstract- – Bacterial concrete, a recent advancement in building materials, offers self healing capabilities through the incorporation of bacteria. This abstract explores the potential of bacterial concrete by delving into its mechanisms, properties, and effectiveness through SEM analysis and durability compression tests. The ability of bacteria to induce self-healing in concrete stems from their biomineralization process. When cracks appear, the bacteria, often Bacillus subtilis or Sporosarcina, pasteurii, come into contact with water and nutrients. They then undergo metabolic processes that result in the precipitation of calcium carbonate, a key component of cement. This calcite precipitation fills and seals the cracks, effectively “healing” the concrete. SEM analysis provides valuable insights into the microstructure of bacterial concrete, revealing the morphology and distribution of the bacteria and the calcium carbonate precipitates. These analyses confirm the presence and activity of bacteria within the concrete matrix and demonstrate their ability to fill cracks with calcite deposits. By comparing the compressive strength of bacterial concrete to conventional concrete before and after crack formation and healing, researchers can evaluate the effectiveness of the self-healing mechanism. Studies have shown that bacterial concrete exhibits improved crack-healing capacity, reduced water permeability, and enhanced resistance to freeze-thaw cycles and chemical attack compared to conventional concrete. SEM analysis has visually confirmed the presence and activity of bacteria within the concrete matrix, while durability compression tests have demonstrated that bacterial concrete can regain a significant portion of its lost strength after crack formation. Nevertheless, the self-healing properties offered by bacteria hold immense potential for the construction industry, paving the way for more sustainable, durable, and resilient concrete structures.
DOI: /10.61463/ijset.vol.12.issue2.691
