Self-healing of Cracks in Bacterial Concrete

Title: Self-healing of Cracks in Bacterial Concrete
Author(s): Virginie Wiktor, Henk M. Jonkers
Paper category : conference
Book title: 2nd International Symposium on Service Life Design for Infrastructures
Editor(s): K. van Breugel, Guang Ye, Yong Yuan
Print-ISBN: 978-2-35158-096-7
e-ISBN: 978-2-35158-097-4
Publisher: RILEM Publications SARL
Publication year: 2010
Pages: 825 - 831
Total Pages: 7
Nb references: 5
Language: English

Abstract: The presence of cracks in concrete may reduce the durability of the structure as it allows aggressive agents to penetrate the concrete matrix. The objective of this study is the development and application of biochemical agent which, when incorporated in the concrete, autonomously and actively heals the crack by bio-minerals production. In the present paper, after crack formation, concrete specimens were immersed in water for self-healing. Every week, specimens were removed from water and observations with stereomicroscope were performed, to follow the evolution of the crack healing in time.
Results show that more filling minerals are produced in bacterial concrete due to metabolic conversion of calcium lactate. As a result, self-healing of concrete is improved as larger cracks can be filled. The results showed that without bacteria cracks smaller than 210µm only are filled whereas bacterial concrete can heal cracks up to 470µm wide. Bacteria-based selfhealing concrete appears to be a promising approach to increase concrete durability.

Online publication: 2011-04-20
Publication type : full_text
Public price (Euros): 0.00