Effect of Microbially Induced Calcium Carbonate Precipitation (MICP) method on the Enhancement of Infrastructure Durability and Sustainability – A state of the art review

Abstract

Cracks in concrete structures are common, allowing water and other hazardous chemicals to permeate the concrete through the cracks. Consequently, the durability and concrete strength has been reduced. Repairing concrete cracks and keeping it in good condition may be pricey. Due to the negative side effects of some chemical treatments, biological alternatives have been proposed as an ecologically friendly strategy for reducing concrete porosity and minimizing water absorption. Because of its potential to improve the quality of building materials, microorganism-induced calcium carbonate precipitation has found broad application in construction technology. To solve this challenge, the concrete has a unique self-healing mechanism that allows cracks to be healed by creating calcium carbonate crystals that which can have the ability to fill the micro cracks in the concrete. The combination of urease-producing bacteria and a calcium source causes calcite precipitation in concrete. This review research provides an overview of different types of bacteria, the possibilities of using bacterial cells in concrete, and how they might be employed as healing agents. Through microbiological experiments, the major focus was on choosing optimal bacteria for concrete fracture healing. In this study, Bacillus species bacteria such as Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus Pasteurii, Bacillus cereus, Bacillus licheniformis, and Bacillus halodurans were investigated as self-healing agents. The inclusion of the Bacterial substance in the concrete has led to reduction in the amount of water absorption, nature of porosity as well as permeability characteristics at all ages of concrete as a result of calcite precipitation, enhancing concrete properties. This review study’s conclusion quickly outlined the numerous qualities of concrete that change when bacteria are introduced, as well as how using bacteria enhances the mechanical and durability elements of concrete. The impact of microorganisms on various elements in concrete has also been proved to be beneficial to long-term development. According to the review research, the Microbially Induced Calcium Carbonate Precipitation (MICP) technique appears to be a suitable technology for sustainable infrastructure construction, based on features such as compressive strength of the concrete, permeability characteristics, rate of water absorption, and chloride ingression.