Abstract
Cracks under marine environment deteriorate concrete due to penetration of chloride and sulfate ions. Therefore, this research aimed to develop bio concrete for autonomous crack healing under submerged marine and tidal conditions. An initial research program was designed to determine the optimum nutrient precursor for bio-concrete. Calcium lactate was selected as an optimum nutrient since it increased overall healing under submerged marine conditions by 16% and improved aragonite/brucite ratio. Higher aragonite/brucite ratio is ideal since aragonite has greater hardness as compared to brucite. Bio-concrete was then prepared, using Halobacillus halophilus bacteria, calcium lactate and expanded perlite aggregate as the carrier, which improved autonomous crack healing by 17% under both submerged and tidal marine conditions. Moreover, healing products were visible along the entire crack depth under submerged marine conditions. Bacteria enhanced the aragonite/brucite ratio throughout the crack depth due to the availability of water and oxygen within cracks.
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