EXPERIMENTAL STUDY ON REPAIRING CONCRETE CRACKS USING BIO-INFLUENCED SELF-HEALING TECHNIQUES

Abstract

Cracks in the concrete are repaired using chemicals, bacteria, and resins that are mixed into the self-healing concrete during the mixing step. This allows the concrete to mend itself. Bioconcrete, also known as bio-influenced self-healing concrete, is a product that has the capacity to mend fractures in concrete by creating chemical compounds from micro-organisms that have been purposefully introduced into the concrete. During the mixing process of this particular kind of concrete, microorganisms as well as a precursor component are distributed throughout the concrete. The formation of cracks allows water to flow into the crevices, which wakes up any microorganisms that were previously latent in the area. These microorganisms will eventually generate minerals that will cover the fissures, which will prevent the concrete from losing its strength and will increase its longevity. An experimental programme was carried out in order to investigate the self-healing process of concrete under a variety of different circumstances. Different methods, such as directly integrating bacteria into the mix, immobilising bacteria in lightweight aggregate, and combining bacteria with graphite nanoplatelets, were used in order to get bacteria into the concrete. Calcium lactate was used as an organic precursor in all of the processes, and it replaced about 5% of the cement. In order to evaluate the degree to which each mixture underwent a change in compressive strength, specimens of each mixture were prepared. In addition to that, concrete specimens were pre-cracked at 3, 7, 14, and 28 days to measure the crack healing effectiveness of each mix. This was done by cracking the specimens with a hammer.