From waste to self-healing concrete: the missing PHA-link

Self-healing concrete has attracted increasing attention of researchers and industry over the last decades. Given the brittle nature and the relatively low tensile strength of concrete, the occurrence of cracks is an almost unavoidable phenomenon affecting (reinforced) concrete structures. Cracks allow harmful agents present in the environment...

On the Applicability of a Precursor Derived from Organic Waste Streams for Bacteria-Based Self-Healing Concrete

Bacteria-based self-healing concrete has the ability to heal cracks due to the bacterial conversion of incorporated organic compounds into calcium carbonate. Precipitates seal the cracks, theoretically increasing the service life of constructions. The aim of this paper is to propose a precursor for bacteria-based self-healing concrete derived...

Reduction of water permeation through cracks in mortar by addition of bacteria based healing agent

Field application of self-healing concrete with natural fibres as linings for irrigation canals in Ecuador

This paper describes the first field application of self-healing concrete with alkaliphilic spore-forming bacteria and reinforced with natural fibres. The application took place in the highlands in Ecuador in July 2014. The concrete was cast as linings for an irrigation canal that transports water from glaciers in the Andean mountains to...

Bio-inspired control of material properties in civil engineering: Current concept for corrsoion protection via the application of bacteria and bio-polymers

The improvement of material properties of cement-based materials e.g. reduced permeability, porosity, uniform distribution of hydration products, etc. is of a significant importance and related to durability and sustainability of concrete and reinforced concrete structures. With this respect, a recent and novel approach is to "create" self...

Practical approach for production of bacteria-based agent-contained light weight aggregates to make concrete self-healing

A functional experimental concrete system has been developed in our lab, in which a two component bacteria-based healing agent contained in a protective reservoir is included in the concrete mixture. Incorporated bacteria have the potential to produce copious amounts of calcium carbonate based crystals from supplied mineral precursor compounds....

Bacteria-based self-healing concrete for application in the marine environment

Marine concrete structures are exposed to one of the most hostile of natural environments. Many physical and chemical phenomena are usually interdependent and mutually reinforcing in the deterioration of marine exposed concrete: expansion and microcracking due to physical effects increases concrete permeability paving the way for harmful...

Un nouveau béton auto-cicatrisant grâce à l’incorporation de bactéries

La formation d’un réseau continu de fissures contribue à l’augmentation de la perméabilité du béton, réduisant ainsi de manière importante sa résistance à l’attaque d’agents agressifs dissous dans l’eau. Afin d’augmenter la capacité de cicatrisation autogène du béton, certains agents cicatrisants spécifiques peuvent être incorporés dans la...

Assessment of the crack healing capacity in bacteria-based self-healing concrete (abstract)