Strength and durability performance of modified cement-based concrete incorporated immobilized bacteria

Owing to the load bearing and the other external environmental factors, the defects in the concrete occur in the form of cracks and flaws which leads to the reduction in the durability characteristics. Generally, the bacteria-based autogenous healing is adopted to restore those cracks. The ureolytic bacteria used urea as a source of nitrogen and convert it to carbonate ions, and then carbonate ions react with calcium ions to induce calcium carbonate in the presence of water. In the present study, binary cement-based concrete containing different concentration of immobilized bacteria is investigated, and its performance is evaluated based on the strength and durability characteristics. The experimentation includes bagasse ash (< 45µ) and fly ash (Class C) in proportions partially blended with cement. External loads are stimulated to assess the mechanical properties of concrete. Rapid chloride penetration test of the concrete before the induction of cracks is also performed. By comparing the compression test results, the microbial concrete of 10⁵cells/mg shows greater compressive strength when compared with the microbial concrete of 10⁷cells/mg and also with the conventional concrete. SEM analysis and compression test results reveal 15% fly ash additives have accomplished microbial concrete. And also the test results indicate the potential of encapsulation using clay pellets and silica gel.