Development of a bacteria-based self healing concrete

ABSTRACT: Concrete structures usually show some self-healing capacity, i.e. the ability to heal or seal freshly formed micro-cracks. This property is mainly due to the presence of non-hydrated excess cement particles in the materials matrix, which undergo delayed or secondary hydration upon reaction with ingress water. In this research project we develop a new type of self-healing concrete in which bacteria mediate the production of minerals which rapidly seal freshly formed cracks, a process that concomitantly decreases concrete permeability, and thus better protects embedded steel reinforcement from corrosion. Initial results show that the addition of specific organic mineral precursor compounds plus spore-forming alkaliphilic bacteria as self-healing agents produces up to 100-µm sized calcite particles which can potentially seal micro- to even larger-sized cracks. Further development of this bio-concrete with significantly increased self-healing capacities could represent a new type of durable and sustainable concrete with a wide range of potential applications.