International Journal of Engineering Sciences Paradigms and Researches (IJESPR)
Vol. 48, Issue 01, Quarter 01 (January-February-March 2019)
(An Indexed, Referred and Impact Factor Journal)
ISSN (Online): 2319-6564
www.ijesonline.com
Effects of MICP in Self-Healing of Bacterial Concrete
Amarender Kadian
Research Scholar, OPJS University, Churu, Rajasthan
[email protected] Publishing Date: February 09, 2019
Abstract inexpensive and is easily available worldwide
Concrete being the most widely used construction becomes the most widely used construction
material in the world also have some drawbacks such as,
it is very prone to cracking due to a variety of
materials in whole construction industry but, it is
environmental and mechanical reasons but also due to also week in terms of tensile strength and forms
its low tensile strength and it is a very common known cracks under loading and also due to environmental
fact that these cracks allows the chemicals and moisture factors and mechanical usages. The self-healing
to penetrates into the concrete and degrades it even
leading to corrosion into the reinforcement resulting in mechanism of concrete includes production of
reduced performance of the structure which at times calcium carbonate crystals which seals the cracks
becomes very expensive to repair and maintain. As these appeared on the surface of the concrete structure, as
cracks in the surface layer mainly affects the durability
rapid crack healing is also necessary because due to
of concrete, as such cracks also acts as the pathways for
the movement of liquids and gases which may potentially cracks it becomes easier for aggressive substances
contains deleterious substances, but on the other side to enter the concrete. It is desired that concrete
concrete has some unique properties of healing itself i.e. heals itself by releasing the healing agents inside its
the potential to repair the micro-cracks on its own. This
practice of self-healing of concrete can be done in many matrix on their own when cracks appears. (J.Y.
waves such as by using synthetic polymers like epoxy Wang et al,2010) To overcome this, MICP
treatments, application of Precipitating bacteria or by technique is adopted, which falls under an even
bio-mineralization of bacteria in concrete. This study is broader category of science called as bio-
all about discussing self-healing mechanism of bacteria,
classifying different bacteria's on the basis of their shape mineralization. MICP is a durable technique
and gram-stain, chemical processes involved in sealing because its microbial activities are natural as well
of cracks, advantages and disadvantages of bacterial as pollution free. This technique of healing also
concrete technique and its uses in construction industry.
helps in improving the compressive strength of the
Keywords: Calcium Carbonate, self-healing concrete, as compared to those commonly used
concrete, MICP (Microbiologically Induced
Calcite Precipitation), DCI (Dissolved Inorganic repairing techniques used currently at most places
Carbon). in which synthetic polymers such as epoxy
treatments are used for repairing the concrete
which are very harmful to both environment as
Introduction well as human health, that’s why this study forces
the use of bacterial concrete. (Kadian A. , Bio-
Dissolved Inorganic Carbon Microbiologically
Concrete: The Future of Concrete Science, 2018)
Induced Calcite Precipitation (MICP) is a series of
complex bio-chemical reactions including
Literature Review
concomitant precipitation of Bacillus Pasteurii,
Urease and high pH. It is a process in which The Writing accessible uncovers that microbes can
alchophilic soil microorganisms plays an important be utilized to upgrade the execution of the solid.
role by producing urease which hydrolyze urea into The idea of bacterial cement was first presented by
ammonia and carbon dioxide. The ammonia V.Ramakrishnan, a novel procedure in remediating
increases the pH in surroundings which in turn cracks in concreted by using microbiologically
induces precipitation of CaCO3 mainly in the form prompted calcite (CaCO3) precipitation. The
of calcite. (Kadian M. , 2018) As concrete is pioneering work on repairing concrete with
IJESPR
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38
International Journal of Engineering Sciences Paradigms and Researches (IJESPR)
Vol. 48, Issue 01, Quarter 01 (January-February-March 2019)
(An Indexed, Referred and Impact Factor Journal)
ISSN (Online): 2319-6564
www.ijesonline.com
microbiologically prompted calcite precipitation exceedingly strong breaks etc.It additionally
(MICP) is accounted for by the exploration valuable for development of ease sturdy streets ,
gathering of Ramakrishnan V. what's more, others high strength structures with all the more bearing
at the South Dakota School of Mines and limit, disintegration anticipation of free sands and
Innovation, USA. minimal effort tough houses. They have
additionally advised about the working rule of
(kadian, 2018) said MICP ( Microbiologically bacterial concrete as a repair material. It was
Induced Calcite Precipitation )system is considered likewise seen in the examination that the metabolic
for the study by utilizing Bacillus Subtilis and its exercises in the bacteria's occurring inside the solid
nutrients which later acts as the food for the micro- outcomes into expanding the general execution of
organisms or bacteria's such as Sodium cement including its compressive strength. This
BiCarbonate ( NaHCO3 ), Ammonium Carbonate examination likewise discloses the synthetic
(NH4CL ), Calcium Chloride Dehydrate ( CaCl2 ). procedure to remediate breaks.
Generally, they are mixed in a proportion of
1:2.5:5, Liquid form of Bacillus Subtilis is also (Kadian A. , Bending Concrete: Balanced, Under-
added to the proportion (35 ml approx.) with the Reinforced and Over-Reinforced Beam Sections,
cell concentration of approximately 100cells/ml. 2018) in his paper stated while working in
The tests are performed on a cubical concrete laboratory performing tests regarding the strength
section of 150mmx150mmx150mm for calculating of concrete at different loads and other factors if
and testing the compressive and tensile strength. As satisfactory results are not obtained or the quality
a result, it is found that there is a considerable example fails to give appropriate results additional
increase in the strength and quality of concrete with testing of concrete setup is required and (Singh &
added bacteria's/ Bacillus Subtilis and (kadian & kadian, 2018) said when studied deeply at
Pannu, A Study of Durability Properties of microscopic level, various changes in concrete
Bacterial Concrete, 2018) Bacterial concrete refers properties are observed such as electrical and
to a new generation of concrete in which selective acoustical properties even leading to the complete
cementation by microbiologically-induced CaCO3 failure of the structure.
precipitation has been introduced for remediation
of micro cracks. One possible mechanism is Role of Bacteria in Self-Healing
currently being investigated and developed in Mechanism
several laboratories. A technique based on the
applications of mineral-producing bacteria. As we know, concrete is a building material which
Efficient sealing of surface cracks by mineral is highly alkaline y nature so, the bacteria to be
precipitation was observed when bacteria-based added in the concrete at initial stages must follows
mixtures were sprayed or applied onto damaged certain criteria, such as the survival rate of used
surfaces or manually inserted into cracks. As in bacteria in high alkaline environment for longer
those studies bacteria were manually and externally period with the ability of forming spores. A
applied to existing structures. In several methods bacteria used for such purposes must also have the
the possibility to using viable bacteria as a potential to withstand the mechanical as well as
sustainable and concrete-embedded self-healing environmental forces for preparing a concrete
agent was explored. mixed with bacteria's, Alkali-resistant soil
bacteria's such as Bacillus Subtilis should be used
Sakina Najmudd in Saifee et .al1 distributed a with its nutrients, which will acts as their food for
paper on Basic evaluation on Bacterial Cement. In the bacteria's to survive for decades because
this paper they talked about the diverse kinds of Bacillus Subtilis JC3 is a typical soil bacterium
microbes and their applications. The bacterial which can instigate the precipitation of calcite.
cement is particularly helpful in expanding the (Kadian & Pannu, 2018) Bacteria's like Bacillus
durability of cemetous materials, repair of Subtilis are generally gram-positive bacteria's with
limestone landmarks , fixing of solid splits to
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39
International Journal of Engineering Sciences Paradigms and Researches (IJESPR)
Vol. 48, Issue 01, Quarter 01 (January-February-March 2019)
(An Indexed, Referred and Impact Factor Journal)
ISSN (Online): 2319-6564
www.ijesonline.com
thick outer cell membranes which allows them to
work successfully unless and until favorable
environment is available to grow.
Some commonly used bacteria’s in
concrete are as follows
• Bacillus Subtilis
Cocci Bacteria Staphylococci Bacteria
• Bacillus Sphaericus
• Escherichia Coli
• Bacillus Pasteurii etc.
Chemical Reactions
As the water to penetrate cracks will not dissolve
the particles of calcite (CaCO3) in the mortar
matrix, but will react with the carbon dioxide
Streptobacillus bacteria Spirillium Bacteria
present in the atmosphere with partially hydrated
lime constituents like calcium oxide and calcium • On the basis of Gram Stain –
hydroxide.
CaO + H2O → Ca(OH)2
Ca(OH)2 + CO2 → CaCO3 + H2O
The resultant minerals from the above chemical
reactions, the re-crystallized calcite particles
precipitates on the surface, hence, sealing the
cracks. Following are the factors on which relies
the precipitation of calcium carbonate:
1. Concentration of Calcium. Gram Positive Bacteria’s
2. DIC Concentration (Dissolved Inorganic
Carbon).
3. The pH.
4. Nucleation sites.
Classification of Bacteria
• On the basis if shape -
Gram Negative Bacteria's
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International Journal of Engineering Sciences Paradigms and Researches (IJESPR)
Vol. 48, Issue 01, Quarter 01 (January-February-March 2019)
(An Indexed, Referred and Impact Factor Journal)
ISSN (Online): 2319-6564
www.ijesonline.com
Advantages & Disadvantages of Self- Construction and Building Materials, 10(1),
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Vol. 48, Issue 01, Quarter 01 (January-February-March 2019)
(An Indexed, Referred and Impact Factor Journal)
ISSN (Online): 2319-6564
www.ijesonline.com
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