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Experimental evaluation of bacterial self-healing concrete embodying Bacillus pumilus cured in normal and accelerated modes

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Abstract

This research investigates the influence of accelerated curing on mechanical, self-healing, and durability performance of bacterial self-healing concrete. Bacterial self-healing concrete incorporating Bacillus pumilus was studied for microbial survival under high temperature and pressure of accelerated schemes of autoclave and carbonation curing, in addition to conventional water curing. Experimental results indicate that microbes remain viable inside bacterial autoclaved concrete and bacterial carbonated concrete along with significant improvement in their mechanical-durability properties. Bacterial intrusion successfully closed the maximum average crack width of 0.8 mm accompanied by 35% increase in compressive strength. Forensic analysis via scanning electron microscopy depicts that accelerated curing promotes formation of CaCO3 crystals. X-ray diffraction and thermogravimetric analysis results show that carbonation curing accelerates the conversion of CaOH into CaCO3, which improves the self-healing performance. Conclusively, outcomes of this research provide insights into high-early strength bacterial self-healing concrete which may benefit the large-scale application of microbial concrete.

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Abbreviations

NC:

Normal concrete

B-SHC:

Bacterial self-healing concrete

WC:

Normal water-cured concrete

ECC:

Normal early carbonation cured concrete

AC:

Normal autoclave cured concrete

B-WC:

Bacterial water-cured concrete

B-ECC:

Bacterial early carbonation cured concrete

B-AC:

Bacterial autoclave cured concrete

UPV:

Ultrasonic pulse velocity

NDT:

Non-destructive testing

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. NUST Institute of Civil Engineering, National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), Islamabad, 44000, Pakistan

    Asim Sultan & Rao Arsalan Khushnood

  2. Capital University of Sciences and Technology, Islamabad, Pakistan

    Nafeesa Shaheen

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  1. Asim Sultan
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  2. Nafeesa Shaheen
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  3. Rao Arsalan Khushnood
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Correspondence to Rao Arsalan Khushnood.

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Sultan, A., Shaheen, N. & Khushnood, R.A. Experimental evaluation of bacterial self-healing concrete embodying Bacillus pumilus cured in normal and accelerated modes. Mater Struct 56, 36 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1617/s11527-023-02129-5

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