Time-Varying Modeling of Microbial-Induced Calcite Precipitation in Cracked Concrete and Its Inhibitory Effect on Chloride Diffusion
Publication: Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering
Volume 36, Issue 6
Abstract
Microbial-induced calcite precipitation (MICP) techniques are promising solutions for repairing cracks in reinforced concrete (RC) structures when exposed to a harsh chloride environment. By means of the lattice network method, this study numerically investigates the entire MICP-induced healing process from crack closure to inhibition of chloride transport of the microbial self-healing concrete by coupling the following two models: (1) the crack self-healing model; and (2) chloride diffusion model. The crack self-healing model provides visualization of the reduction of local crack widths induced by MICP. The chloride concentration distribution is quantitatively reflected through the chloride diffusion model. In addition, an empirical formula is employed to represent the relationship between diffusion coefficients of cracks in the chloride diffusion model and the time-varying crack width obtained from the crack self-healing model. The reduction of crack widths and the distribution of chloride within microbial self-healing concrete are determined through numerical calculations. The simulation reliability is validated based on comparisons with the available literature. Simulation results demonstrate that the MICP-induced crack healing effectively impedes chloride transport.
Get full access to this article
View all available purchase options and get full access to this article.
Data Availability Statement
Most data generated or analyzed during this study are included in this article, and more detailed data are available from the corresponding author on request.
Acknowledgments
The authors sincerely appreciate financial support provided by the Natural Science Foundation of Liaoning Province (2020-MS-100). This support is gratefully acknowledged.
References
Akhavan, A., and F. Rajabipour. 2012. “Quantifying the effects of crack width, tortuosity, and roughness on water permeability of cracked mortars.” Cem. Concr. Res. 42 (2): 313–320. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconres.2011.10.002.
Algaifi, H. A., S. A. Bakar, A. R. M. Sam, A. R. Z. Abidin, S. Shahir, and W. A. H. Al-Towayti. 2018. “Numerical modeling for crack self-healing concrete by microbial calcium carbonate.” Constr. Build. Mater. 189 (Sep): 816–824. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2018.08.218.
Bagga, M., et al. 2022. “Advancements in bacteria based self-healing concrete and the promise of modeling.” Constr. Build. Mater. 358 (May): 129412. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2022.129412.
Bentz, D. P., E. J. Garboczi, Y. Lu, N. Martys, A. R. Sakulich, and W. J. Weiss. 2013. “Modeling of the influence of transverse cracking on chloride penetration into concrete.” Cem. Concr. Compos. 38 (Apr): 65–74. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2013.03.003.
De Belie, N., et al. 2018. “A review of self-healing concrete for damage management of structures.” Adv. Mater. Interfaces 5 (17): 1800074. https://doi.org/10.1002/admi.201800074.
DeJong, J. T., B. M. Mortensen, B. C. Martinez, and D. C. Nelson. 2010. “Bio-mediated soil improvement.” Ecol. Eng. 36 (2): 197–210. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoleng.2008.12.029.
De Schutter, G. 1999. “Quantification of the influence of cracks in concrete structures on carbonation and chloride penetration.” Mag. Concr. Res. 51 (6): 427–435. https://doi.org/10.1680/macr.1999.51.6.427.
Djerbi, A., S. Bonnet, A. Khelidj, and V. Baroghel-Bouny. 2008. “Influence of traversing crack on chloride diffusion into concrete.” Cem. Concr. Res. 38 (6): 877–883. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconres.2007.10.007.
Duprat, F. 2007. “Reliability of RC beams under chloride-ingress.” Constr. Build. Mater. 21 (8): 1605–1616. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2006.08.002.
Edvardsen, C. 1999. “Water permeability and autogenous healing of cracks in concrete.” In Innovation in concrete structures: Design and construction, 473–487. London: Thomas Telford Publishing.
Ersan, Y. C., D. Palin, S. B. Yengec Tasdemir, K. Tasdemir, H. M. Jonkers, N. Boon, and N. De Belie. 2018. “Volume fraction, thickness, and permeability of the sealing layer in microbial self-healing concrete containing biogranules.” Front. Built Environ. 4 (Nov): 70. https://doi.org/10.3389/fbuil.2018.00070.
Erşan, Y. Ç., H. Verbruggen, I. De Graeve, W. Verstraete, N. De Belie, and N. Boon. 2016. “Nitrate reducing caco3 precipitating bacteria survive in mortar and inhibit steel corrosion.” Cem. Concr. Res. 83 (Jun): 19–30. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconres.2016.01.009.
Fan, J., S. M. Shirkhorshidi, M. P. Adams, and M. J. Bandelt. 2022. “Predicting corrosion in reinforced UHPC members through time-dependent multi-physics numerical simulation.” Constr. Build. Mater. 340 (Feb): 127805. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2022.127805.
Gosting, L. J., and D. F. Akeley. 1952. “A study of the diffusion of urea in water at 25 with the Gouy interference method.” J. Am. Chem. Soc. 74 (8): 2058–2060. https://doi.org/10.1021/ja01128a060.
Grassl, P. 2009. “A lattice approach to model flow in cracked concrete.” Cem. Concr. Compos. 31 (7): 454–460. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2009.05.001.
Hren, M., V. B. Bosiljkov, and A. Legat. 2021. “Effects of blended cements and carbonation on chloride-induced corrosion propagation.” Cem. Concr. Res. 145 (Sep): 106458. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconres.2021.106458.
Ikumi, T., and I. Segura. 2019. “Numerical assessment of external sulfate attack in concrete structures. A review.” Cem. Concr. Res. 121 (Aug): 91–105. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconres.2019.04.010.
Intarasoontron, J., W. Pungrasmi, P. Nuaklong, P. Jongvivatsakul, and S. Likitlersuang. 2021. “Comparing performances of MICP bacterial vegetative cell and microencapsulated bacterial spore methods on concrete crack healing.” Constr. Build. Mater. 302 (Apr): 124227. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2021.124227.
Ismail, M., A. Toumi, R. François, and R. Gagné. 2008. “Effect of crack opening on the local diffusion of chloride in cracked mortar samples.” Cem. Concr. Res. 38 (8–9): 1106–1111. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconres.2008.03.009.
Lewis, R. W., P. Nithiarasu, and K. N. Seetharamu. 2004. Fundamentals of the finite element method for heat and fluid flow. New York: Wiley.
Li, C., and L. Jiang. 2021. “Effect of flue gas desulfurization gypsum addition on critical chloride content for rebar corrosion in fly ash concrete.” Constr. Build. Mater. 286 (Feb): 122963. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2021.122963.
Lim, C., N. Gowripalan, and V. Sirivivatnanon. 2000. “Microcracking and chloride permeability of concrete under uniaxial compression.” Cem. Concr. Compos. 22 (5): 353–360. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0958-9465(00)00029-9.
Liu, C., Z. Lv, J. Xiao, X. Xu, X. Nong, and H. Liu. 2021. “On the mechanism of cl- diffusion transport in self-healing concrete based on recycled coarse aggregates as microbial carriers.” Cem. Concr. Compos. 124 (Apr): 104232. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2021.104232.
Liu, Q., Y. Cai, H. Peng, Z. Meng, S. Mundra, and A. Castel. 2023a. “A numerical study on chloride transport in alkali-activated fly ash/slag concretes.” Cem. Concr. Res. 166 (May): 107094. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconres.2023.107094.
Liu, Q., Z. Hu, X.-E. Wang, H. Zhao, K. Qian, L.-J. Li, and Z. Meng. 2022. “Numerical study on cracking and its effect on chloride transport in concrete subjected to external load.” Constr. Build. Mater. 325 (Aug): 126797. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2022.126797.
Liu, Q., X. Shen, B. Šavija, Z. Meng, D. C. Tsang, S. Sepasgozar, and E. Schlangen. 2023b. “Numerical study of interactive ingress of calcium leaching, chloride transport and multi-ions coupling in concrete.” Cem. Concr. Res. 165 (Apr): 107072. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconres.2022.107072.
Lura, P., B. Pease, G. B. Mazzotta, F. Rajabipour, and J. Weiss. 2007. “Influence of shrinkage-reducing admixtures on development of plastic shrinkage cracks.” ACI Mater. J. 104 (2): 187. https://doi.org/10.14359/18582.
Meng, Z., Q. Liu, W. She, Y. Cai, J. Yang, and M. F. Iqbal. 2021. “Electrochemical deposition method for load-induced crack repair of reinforced concrete structures: A numerical study.” Eng. Struct. 246 (Jul): 112903. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engstruct.2021.112903.
Meng, Z., Q. Liu, J. Xia, Y. Cai, X. Zhu, Y. Zhou, and L. Pel. 2022. “Mechanical–transport–chemical modeling of electrochemical repair methods for corrosion-induced cracking in marine concrete.” Comput.-Aided Civ. Infrastruct. Eng. 37 (14): 1854–1874. https://doi.org/10.1111/mice.12827.
Oh, B. H., and S. Y. Jang. 2004. “Prediction of diffusivity of concrete based on simple analytic equations.” Cem. Concr. Res. 34 (3): 463–480. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconres.2003.08.026.
Okwadha, G. D., and J. Li. 2010. “Optimum conditions for microbial carbonate precipitation.” Chemosphere 81 (9): 1143–1148. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2010.09.066.
Pei, R., J. Liu, S. Wang, and M. Yang. 2013. “Use of bacterial cell walls to improve the mechanical performance of concrete.” Cem. Concr. Compos. 39 (Mar): 122–130. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2013.03.024.
Qian, C., Y. Zhang, and Y. Xie. 2021. “Effect of ion concentration in crack zone on healing degree of microbial self-healing concrete.” Constr. Build. Mater. 286 (Feb): 122969. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2021.122969.
Šavija, B., J. Pacheco, and E. Schlangen. 2013. “Lattice modeling of chloride diffusion in sound and cracked concrete.” Cem. Concr. Compos. 42 (Jun): 30–40. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2013.05.003.
Seifan, M., A. K. Samani, and A. Berenjian. 2016. “Bioconcrete: Next generation of self-healing concrete.” Appl. Microbiol. Biotechnol. 100 (6): 2591–2602. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00253-016-7316-z.
Siddique, R., and N. K. Chahal. 2011. “Effect of ureolytic bacteria on concrete properties.” Constr. Build. Mater. 25 (10): 3791–3801. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2011.04.010.
Sule, M., and K. Van Breugel. 2004. “The effect of reinforcement on early-age cracking due to autogenous shrinkage and thermal effects.” Cem. Concr. Compos. 26 (5): 581–587. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0958-9465(03)00078-7.
Tran, M. T., X. H. Vu, and E. Ferrier. 2019. “Mesoscale experimental investigation of thermomechanical behaviour of the carbon textile reinforced refractory concrete under simultaneous mechanical loading and elevated temperature.” Constr. Build. Mater. 217 (Sep): 156–171. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2019.05.067.
Tziviloglou, E., et al. 2016. “Bio-based self-healing concrete: From research to field application.” In Self-healing materials, M. D. Hager, S. v. d. Zwaag, and U. S. Schubert, 345–386. Cham, Switzerland: Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/12_2015_332.
Tziviloglou, E., V. Wiktor, H. M. Jonkers, and E. Schlangen. 2017. “Selection of nutrient used in biogenic healing agent for cementitious materials.” Front. Mater. 4 (Dec): 15. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmats.2017.00015.
Wang, J., J. Dewanckele, V. Cnudde, S. Van Vlierberghe, W. Verstraete, and N. De Belie. 2014a. “X-ray computed tomography proof of bacterial-based self-healing in concrete.” Cem. Concr. Compos. 53 (Apr): 289–304. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2014.07.014.
Wang, J., H. M. Jonkers, N. Boon, and N. De Belie. 2017. “Bacillus sphaericus LMG 22257 is physiologically suitable for self-healing concrete.” Appl. Microbiol. Biotechnol. 101 (12): 5101–5114. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00253-017-8260-2.
Wang, J., H. Soens, W. Verstraete, and N. De Belie. 2014b. “Self-healing concrete by use of microencapsulated bacterial spores.” Cem. Concr. Res. 56 (Feb): 139–152. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconres.2013.11.009.
Wang, L., J. Bao, and T. Ueda. 2016. “Prediction of mass transport in cracked-unsaturated concrete by mesoscale lattice model.” Ocean Eng. 127 (May): 144–157. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.oceaneng.2016.09.044.
Wang, L., and T. Ueda. 2009. “Meso-scale modeling of chloride diffusion in concrete with consideration of effects of time and temperature.” Water Sci. Eng. 2 (3): 58–70. https://doi.org/10.3882/j.issn.1674-2370.2009.03.006.
Wang, L., and T. Ueda. 2011a. “Mesoscale modeling of water penetration into concrete by capillary absorption.” Ocean Eng. 38 (4): 519–528. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.oceaneng.2010.12.019.
Wang, L., and T. Ueda. 2011b. “Mesoscale modelling of the chloride diffusion in cracks and cracked concrete.” J. Adv. Concr. Technol. 9 (3): 241–249. https://doi.org/10.3151/jact.9.241.
Wang, X., J. Xu, Z. Wang, and W. Yao. 2022. “Use of recycled concrete aggregates as carriers for self-healing of concrete cracks by bacteria with high urease activity.” Constr. Build. Mater. 337 (Jan): 127581. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2022.127581.
Xu, J., C. Peng, L. Wan, Q. Wu, and W. She. 2020. “Effect of crack self-healing on concrete diffusivity: Mesoscale dynamics simulation study.” J. Mater. Civ. Eng. 32 (6): 04020149. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)MT.1943-5533.0003214.
Xu, J., X. Wang, and B. Wang. 2018. “Biochemical process of ureolysis-based microbial precipitation and its application in self-healing concrete.” Appl. Microbiol. Biotechnol. 102 (7): 3121–3132. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00253-018-8779-x.
Zeng, W., Y. Ding, Y. Zhang, and F. Dehn. 2020. “Effect of steel fiber on the crack permeability evolution and crack surface topography of concrete subjected to freeze-thaw damage.” Cem. Concr. Res. 138 (Apr): 106230. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconres.2020.106230.
Zhang, J., Y. Liu, T. Feng, M. Zhou, L. Zhao, A. Zhou, and Z. Li. 2017. “Immobilizing bacteria in expanded perlite for the crack self-healing in concrete.” Constr. Build. Mater. 148 (Feb): 610–617. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2017.05.021.
Zhu, X., A. Mignon, S. D. Nielsen, S. E. Zieger, K. Koren, N. Boon, and N. De Belie. 2021. “Viability determination of bacillus sphaericus after encapsulation in hydrogel for self-healing concrete via microcalorimetry and in situ oxygen concentration measurements.” Cem. Concr. Compos. 119 (Jan): 104006. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2021.104006.
Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering
Volume 36 • Issue 6 • June 2024
Copyright
© 2024 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Jul 26, 2023
Accepted: Nov 20, 2023
Published online: Mar 22, 2024
Published in print: Jun 1, 2024
Discussion open until: Aug 22, 2024
Authors
Metrics & Citations
Metrics
Citations
Download citation
If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download.