Microbial Concrete: Way to Enhance the Durability of Building Structures
Publication: Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering
Volume 23, Issue 6
Abstract
Natural processes, such as weathering, faults, land subsidence, earthquakes, and human activities, create fractures and fissures in concrete structures that can reduce the service life of the structures. A novel strategy to restore or remediate such structures is biomineralization of calcium carbonate using microbes, such as those in the genus of the Bacillus species. The present study investigated the effects of Bacillus sp. CT-5, isolated from cement, on compressive strength and water-absorption tests. The results showed a 36% increase in compressive strength of cement mortar with the addition of bacterial cells. Treated cubes absorbed six times less water than control cubes as a result of microbial calcite deposition. The current work demonstrated that production of “microbial concrete” by Bacillus sp. on constructed facilities could enhance the durability of building materials.
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Acknowledgments
Financial assistance for this study received from the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board, Department of Atomic Energy and Department of Science and Technology, India, is gratefully acknowledged. The writers thank TIFAC-CORE for the experimental facilities.
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Information
Published In
Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering
Volume 23 • Issue 6 • June 2011
Pages: 730 - 734
Copyright
© 2011 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Feb 24, 2010
Accepted: Jul 15, 2010
Published online: Jul 29, 2010
Published in print: Jun 1, 2011
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