Abstract
The ever-increasing extractive load on hydrocarbon resources, and growing worldwide environmental and social concern have made it necessary to find new material composites in construction that are environment friendly. Natural fibers, they being light weight, bio-renewable, low-cost and eco-friendly is recently used in various industrial applications. Microbiologically induced calcium carbonate precipitation (MICP) by bacteria added in natural fiber is investigated as possible sustainable method for strengthening and repairing cracks in concrete. In this study coir, flax, and jute fibers are used as carriers for bacterial spores to promote strength enhancement and self-healing in concrete. Bacillus tropicus added along with aforementioned natural fibers in concrete by direct addition and immobilization to determine the compressive strength, compressive strength regain and ultrasonic pulse velocity test and crack healing characteristics in concrete. Artificial cracks are induced in Bacteria Biocomposite Concrete Specimens (BBCS) to width of 0.5–1 mm and healing efficiency is determined for soil exposure condition for a period of 56 days. Bacteria added by immobilization and direct addition rendered 79.71 % and 64.49 % of enhanced healing efficiency respectively. Microstructure studies on BBCS and crack filling material (white precipitate) reveals the presence of calcium carbonate compounds, which is due to biological action of bacteria in concrete and exposure environment.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
