Abstract
The study explores the mechanical and durability performance of M30-grade ordinary Portland cement (OPC) incorporated with Bacillus megaterium (BM) and Bacillus sphaericus (BS) species at different dilutions in reference to the control mix. The analysis favored BM-incorporated samples showing the highest strength and durability in all perspectives. The optimal BM mix was validated for varied crack repairability using image characterization and water permeability coefficient approaches at different ages of healing. Further, X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) with energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), and confocal scanning laser microscopy (CSLM) were used to examine the mineralogical precipitation of cracks. The microbial self-healing revealed apt sporulation of BM of 109 CFU/mL dilution to sustain the concrete environment, with 683 U/mL urease activity, and significantly improved the crack healing in the specimens with an effective response to 0.1–0.8 mm cracks at different ages reaching a maximum surface repair rate of 92%.
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