A comprehensive study on microbial self-healing concrete for sustainable construction

This study delves into the impact of Pseudomonas Aeruginosa bacterial additives on Conventional Concrete (CC) mixes. Four concrete blends (M1-M4) with varying bacterial cell concentrations 10⁴, 10⁵ and 10⁶ underwent comprehensive analysis to evaluate their strength, durability, workability, and porosity across different curing periods. The research uncovered a consistent enhancement in mechanical properties as bacterial concentrations increased. Notably, compressive, split tensile, and flexural strengths exhibited significant improvements with elevated bacterial cell concentrations, attributed to enhanced cement hydration and mineral precipitation facilitated by bacterial activity. Impact strength tests showcased an enhanced resistance to cracking under impact loads, indicative of improved toughness in bacterial-incorporated mixes. Moreover, porosity tests revealed diminished porosity levels with bacterial incorporation, implying the gradual densification of the concrete structure over time. These findings highlight the promising potential of bacterial concrete for generating high-performance and sustainable construction materials. By harnessing bacterial bio-mineralization capabilities, the construction industry may unlock avenues to enhance concrete properties while simultaneously mitigating environmental impact.

Keywords:
Pseudomonas Aeruginosa; Workability; Mechanical; Durability properties; Micro analysis