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A Review on Bacteria -Based Self-Healing Concrete

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Imperial Journal of Interdisciplinary Research (IJIR)
Vol-3, Issue-1, 2017
ISSN: 2454-1362, http://www.onlinejournal.in
A Review on Bacteria - Based
Self-Healing Concrete
S.Dinesh1, R.Shanmugapriyan2 & S.T.Namitha Sheen3
1,2
Assistant Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, Sri Ramakrishna Institute of
Technology, Coimbatore - 641010, India.
3
PG Student, Department of Civil Engineering, Sri Ramakrishna Institute of Technology,
Coimbatore- 641010, India.
Abstract: In Concrete, cracking is a common
phenomenon developed due to relatively low tensile
strength. High tensile stresses may be developed in
concrete due to external loads, imposed
deformations, plastic shrinkage, plastic settlement
and expansive reactions. Proper and immediate
treatment should be done in order to prevent
expansion of cracks which may eventually be of
higher cost. For crack repair, a variety of
traditional repair systems are available which
possess a number of disadvantageous aspects such
as different thermal expansion coefficients,
environmental and hazards of health. Bacterially
induced calcium carbonate precipitation has been
proposed as an alternative and environmental
friendly crack repair technique. It is found that
microbial mineral precipitation as a result from
metabolic activities of favorable bacteria in
concrete improved the overall behavior of
concrete. It is expected that further development of
this techniques will result in a more durable,
sustainable and crack free concrete that can be
used effectively for constructions in wet
atmospheres where corrosion of reinforcement
affects the durability, permeability and strength of
concrete. Thus this paper is an attempt to define
bacterial concrete, its classification and types,
mechanism adopted, advantages, disadvantages
and its application in the field of construction by
literature view are discussed.
1. Introduction:
Concrete is the most commonly used
building material which is recyclable. It is strong,
durable, locally available and versatile. It is capable
to resist the compressive load to a limit but if the
load applied on the concrete is more than their limit
but if the load applied on the concrete is more than
their limit of resisting load, it causes the strength
reduction of concrete by producing the cracks in
concrete and the treatment of cracks is very
expensive. Cracks in concrete affects the
serviceability limit of concrete. The ingress of
moisture and other harmful chemicals into the
Imperial Journal of Interdisciplinary Research (IJIR)
concrete may result in decrement of strength and
life. The ingress of sulphates and chlorides in
concrete results in decrease of durability. These
effects in concrete structures by cracking might be
overcome by utilizing self healing technology
which has high potential to repair cracks in
concrete and enhance the service life of concrete
structures with a reduction of demand for repair
and maintenance. Self healing agents such as epoxy
resin, bacteria, fiber, etc., are used to heal cracks in
concrete. Among these bacteria is used commonly
and is found to be effective. When the bacteria is
mixed with concrete the calcium carbonate
precipitates forms and these precipitates fills the
cracks and makes the concrete free from cracks.
Self-healing concrete is a product which
biologically produces limestone by which cracks
on the surface of concrete surface heal. Selected
types of the bacteria genus Bacillus, along with
calcium-based nutrient known as calcium lactate,
and nitrogen and phosphorous are added to the
concrete when it is being mixed. The self-healing
agents can lie dormant within the concrete for up to
two hundred years. When a concrete structure
damages and water starts to penetrate in the cracks
present in it the bacteria starts to feed on the
calcium lactate consuming oxygen and converts the
soluble calcium lactate into insoluble limestone.
The limestone formed thus seals the cracks present.
It is similar to the process of how a fractured bone
gets naturally healed by osteoblast cells that
mineralize to reform bone. Consumption of oxygen
in the bacterial conversion has an additional
advantage. Oxygen which becomes an essential
element for the corrosion of steel to take place is
being used in the bacterial conversion. Hence the
durability of steel in construction becomes higher.
The process of bacterial conversion takes place
either in the interior or exterior of the microbial cell
or even some distance away within the concrete.
Often the bacterial activities trigger a change in the
chemical process that leads to over saturation and
mineral precipitation. Utilization of concepts of bio
mineralogy in concrete lead to invention of a new
Page 1023
Imperial Journal of Interdisciplinary Research (IJIR)
Vol-3, Issue-1, 2017
ISSN: 2454-1362, http://www.onlinejournal.in
material termed as Bacterial Concrete. Bacterial
concrete refers to a new generation concrete in
which selective cementation by microbiologically-
induced CaCO3 precipitation has been introduced
for remediation of micro-cracks.
2. Literature Review:
Z.P.Bhathena and NamrataGadkar1 ,
have published a paper about on Bacterial concrete,
a novel approach for increasing its durability. In
this paper a total of six samples were collected
from different sites such as mangrove area. From
these samples the calcite precipitating organisms
which precipitate calcium carbonate by means of
ureolysis were screened. The screened urease
producing isolates were checked for the ability to
grow at varying pH. A total of 10 OTU(Operational
Taxonomical Units) were obtained from 6 different
samples after an incubation period of 7 days. Out
of 10 isolates 8 isolates showed urease activity
indicated by change in color of media around the
colony. Out of 8 isolates only 3 isolates showed
growth at all temperatures. The ability of the
isolates to initiate calcium carbonate precipitation
was assessed by in-vitro assay. Compressive
strength of organisms within the cement matrix was
analysed as per IS 4031:1988 taken after 3 and 7
days of curing in water. It was observed that their
value was higher than the required valueof OPC.
Vijeth N Kashyap and Radhakrishna2 , have
published a paper on Study on effect of Bacteria on
Cement composites. In this paper two different
types of bacteria named Bacillus sphaericus and
Sporosarcinapastuerii was obtained from Microbial
type culture collection and gene bank, Chandigarh
in a freeze dried condition. Bacteria was cultured in
solid media and then transferred to nutrient
brothfor about 48 hours. 5cm3 cubes were casted by
mixing grown bacterial cultures of different
concentration with cement paste and mortar. The
cubes were cured under tap water at room
temperature and tested at 7 and 28 days. The
strength gain was about 39.8% and 33.07% in case
of paste and 50% and 28.2% in mortar for
sphaericus and Sporosarcinapastuerii respectively
compared that of conventional mix. The SEM and
XRD analysis showed the presence of calcite inside
cement composite specimens which are produced
microbially. The microbes enhance the strength and
durability of cement composites.
L.Soundariet.al3, have published a paper
on Experimental study on strengthening of concrete
by using bacterial mineral precipitation. In this
paper initially nutrient broth and other chemicals
were mixed with required water and boiled by
autoclaving process. The boiled water should be of
Imperial Journal of Interdisciplinary Research (IJIR)
reddish color to which required bacterial cell is
transferred and the liquid media is covered by
aluminium foil and shaked periodically until it
turns to light yellow colorwhich shows the
presence of bacillus subtilis. Concrete specimens
are made by mixing in using electrically operated
mixer by adding coarse aggregate, fine aggregate,
cement and required amount of bacterial water. For
M25 grade concrete, with the addition of bacteria
the percentage of improvement in the compressive
strength is in the order of 12.32% to 30.05% at
different ages, the percentage of improvement in
the split tensile strength is in the order of 13.80% to
18.45% at different ages, the percentage of
improvement in the flexural tensile strength is in
the order of 13.19% to 15.56% at different ages.
HenkM.Jonkers and Erik Schlangen4
,have published a paper on Development of a
bacteria-based self healing concrete. In this paper
Bacillus cohnii, Bacillus halodurans and Bacillus
pseudofirmus species were obtained from the
German Collection of Microorganisms and Cell
cultures. The bacteria cultures were cleaned from
medium residues by centrifugation, washing and
resuspension of the cell pellet in tap water. The
cement samples were made incorporating the
suspension and are tested. It was found that
addition of healing agents such as bacteria lead to a
10% loss in the compressive strength. But such a
loss in strength may be acceptable when this is
compensated by self-healing capacity. They have
used both bacteria and mineral precursor
compounds mixed with the paste and thus therefore
formed as an integral material.
B.Naveen and S.Sivakamasundari5 ,
have published a paper on Study on the effect of
calcite-precipitating bacteria on self-healing
mechanism of concrete. In this paper crack repair
was enhanced through a biological treatment in
which a B.sphaericus culture incorporated in a gel
matrix and a calcium source is provided. They have
used silica gel to protect the bacteria against the pH
in concrete which was found to be effective as
CaCO3 crystals precipitated inside the matrix.
Crack sealing resulted in permeability of water.
Precipitation of the crystals enhanced the durability
of the material. Efficiency of the biological
treatment was assessed by means of Ultrasonic
pulse velocity and visual measurements. The use of
these technique was found to be highly desirable,
pollution free and natural.
Chintalapudi Karthik and Rama
Mohan Rao.P6 , have published a paper on
Properties of self-healing concrete. In this paper
Bacillus subtilisaureolytic bacteria which is aerobic
is used. By converting ammonium and carbonate
Page 1024
Imperial Journal of Interdisciplinary Research (IJIR)
Vol-3, Issue-1, 2017
ISSN: 2454-1362, http://www.onlinejournal.in
Bacillus subtilis precipitates CaCO3 in high
alkaline environment. The formation of
precipitated calcium carbonate was viewed using
Scanning Electronic Microscope. The process
resulted in a bio-based crack sealing technique in
concrete. The biological treatment of the cement
composites resulted in crack sealing, decrease of
water permeability and the advantages of
incorporating bio-based cement composites
initially reduce the maintenance costs, repair costs
and hence results in increase of durability of the
structures.
3.Classification of Bacteria
Classification of Bacteria
Shape Gram strain Oxygen requirement
Bacilli Gram-Positive Aerobic
Cocci Gram-Negative Anaerobic
Spirilla
Various types of bacteria used in concrete are
 Bacillus pasteurii
 Bacillnesphaericus
 Escherichia colli
 Bacillus Subtilis
 Bacillus cohnii
 Bacillus pseodofirrius
 Bacillus balodurais
4.Experimental Programme:
 Compressive Strength and Tensile
strength
Compressive strength of mortar,
cement paste and concrete with bacteria is
performed using Automatic compression
testing machine. Split tensile strength with
bacteria is performed.
 Ultrasonic Pulse velocity
The time taken for the electronic
pulses to propagate through the concrete is
measured by electronic measuring circuits.
 Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM)
The calcite deposition inside the
micro cracks of concrete by bacteria is
analyzed under SEM.
 X-Ray Diffraction
Information about the crystal
structure, chemical composition and
physical properties of cement composites
can be viewed.
Imperial Journal of Interdisciplinary Research (IJIR)
5.Basic Mechanism to remediate cracks
using bacterial concrete:
Microorganisms (cell surface charge is
negative) draw cations including Ca2+ from the
environment to deposit on the cell surface. The
equations given below summarize the role of
bacterial cell as a nucleation site.
Ca2+ + Cell ՜ Cell - Ca2+
Cell - Ca2+ + CO32+ ՜ Cell - CaCO3 ՝
The bacteria can thus act as nucleation site
which facilitates for the precipitation of calcite
which eventually plug the pores and cracks in
concrete.
6.Advantages:
 Remediates cracks quickly
Concrete specimens gets filled with bacteria,
nutrients and sand. Significant increase in
compressive strength and stiffness values as
compared to those without cells.
 Improvement the compressive strength of
concrete
Compressive strength test results are used to
determine that the concrete mixture as
delivered meets the requirements of job
specification. So effect of microbial concrete
on compressive strength of concrete and
mortar enhanced by the application of bacteria.
 Better resistance towards Freeze thaw attack
Application of microbial calcite may help in
resistance towards freeze thaw reduction due
to bacterial chemical process and also it
reduces permeability thereby freezing process
is decreased.
 Reduction in corrosion of reinforcement
Application of microbial calcite may help in
sealing the path of ingress chemicals and
improve the life of reinforced concrete
structures.
 Reduction in permeability of concrete
 It increases the durability of concrete
 Aesthetic appearance are not harmed
through this
 It is pollution free, eco-friendly and natural
 Decreased production of concrete
 Lower repair & maintenance cost
 Applicable to existing buildings in form of
spray
 Curbed carbon dioxide emission from
concrete production
7. Disadvantages:
 Cost of bacterial concrete is higher
Page 1025
 Imperial Journal of Interdisciplinary Research (IJIR)
Vol-3, Issue-1, 2017
ISSN: 2454-1362, http://www.onlinejournal.in

Cost of bacterial concrete is double than high quality building. It is convenient to use as it
conventional concrete,but it can be is will be more effective both from economical as
reduced by the growth of the technique. well as practically, as it requires skilled labors.
 Growth of bacteria is not good in any
atmosphere and media 10. References
Different types of nutrients and metabolic
products used for growing calcifying [1] Z.P.Bhathena & NamrataGadkar (2014)
microorganisms, as they influence "Bacteri-based Concrete: A Novel approach for
survival, growth, biofilm and crystal increasing its durability" International Journal of
Biosciences.
formation. Numerous work should be
done on retention of nutrients and [2] Vijeth N Kashyap & Radhakrishna (2013) "A
metabolic products in the building Study on effect of bacteria on Cement composites"
material. International Journal of Research in Engineering
 Non-availability of IS codes and Technology.
As it is a new research material no code is
provided to use it. It is difficult to estimate [3] L.Soundari, C.S.Maneesh Kumar, S.Anthoniraj
the doses of bacteria to be used in concrete & E.Karthikeyan (2015) "An Experimental study on
strengthening of concrete by using Bacterial
to get the optimum performance.
Mineral Precipitation" International Journal of
 Investigation process is of higher cost Core Engineering & Management.
Different types of bacteria have different
properties to produce an amount calcite [4] HenkM.Jonkers & Erik Schlangen (2008)
precipitation to identify this amount "Development of a bacteria-based self healing
investigation of bacteria is done using concrete"
"Scanning by Electron Microscopy" and
this method is costly and require good [5] B.Naveen & S.Sivakamasundari (2016) "Study
skill to carry out this test. of strength parameters of bacterial concrete with
controlled concrete and structural elements
 The clay pellets holding the self-healing
made with concrete enriched with bacteria"
agent comprise 20% of the volume of International Conference on engineering
concrete. innovations and solutions.
8. Applications:
The use of bacterial concrete has become [6] ChintalapudiKarthik & Rama Mohan Rao.P
increasingly popular. It is used for (2016) "Properties of Bacterial-based Self-healing
Concrete" International Journal of Chem Tech
 Repairing of monuments constructed
Research
in limestone.
 Healing of concrete cracks
 Used for construction of
-low cost durable roads
-high strength building
-river banks
-low cost durable housing
9. Conclusion:
The paper describes that by the application
of bacteria in concrete it was found that the
compressive strength and tensile strength of
concrete increased with a decrease in
permeability, water absorption and corrosion of
reinforcement compared to that of conventional
concrete. Bacterial concrete also significantly
influenced the durability characteristics of the
structure by healing of cracks in the structure. Due
to its inherent ability to precipitate calcite
continuously bacterial concrete is also called as a
'Smart Bio material'. Due to its eco-friendly and
self-healing capacity it has been proved to be
better than the conventional concrete. Bacterial
concrete will soon be evolved in construction of
durable, cost effective and environment friendly

Imperial Journal of Interdisciplinary Research (IJIR) Page 1026

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