Optimizing nutrient content of microbial self-healing concrete

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

6 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Cracks in microbial self-healing concrete are autonomously sealed through microbial induced calcium carbonate precipitation (MICP). The biogenic production of dissolved inorganic carbon (i.e. CO2) is the main drive for MICP and it is limited by the bioavailability of the nutrients. When added as admixtures bioavailability of the nutrients becomes even more significant for crack sealing as they disperse in mortar and a considerable portion stays far from an individual crack. Therefore, determination of the nutrient bioavailability and optimization of the nutrient content is necessary to enhance self-healing performance of bioconcrete. This study defines an optimum nutrient content range for nitrate reduction based microbial self-healing concrete. Ca-formate and Ca-nitrate were used as nutrient admixtures and their wt/wt ratio was kept constant at 2.50:1.00 while testing various nutrient doses.Variation in mortar properties and nutrient bioavailability was observed and the optimum nutrient content range was defined as 3.5% to 7% depending on the expectations.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationLife-Cycle Analysis and Assessment in Civil Engineering
Subtitle of host publicationTowards an Integrated Vision - Proceedings of the 6th International Symposium on Life-Cycle Civil Engineering, IALCCE 2018
EditorsDan M. Frangopol, Robby Caspeele, Luc Taerwe
PublisherCRC Press/Balkema
Pages2241-2246
Number of pages6
ISBN (Print)9781138626331
Publication statusPublished - 2019
Externally publishedYes
Event6th International Symposium on Life-Cycle Civil Engineering, IALCCE 2018 - Ghent, Belgium
Duration: 28 Oct 201831 Oct 2018

Publication series

NameLife-Cycle Analysis and Assessment in Civil Engineering: Towards an Integrated Vision - Proceedings of the 6th International Symposium on Life-Cycle Civil Engineering, IALCCE 2018

Conference

Conference6th International Symposium on Life-Cycle Civil Engineering, IALCCE 2018
Country/TerritoryBelgium
CityGhent
Period28/10/1831/10/18

Keywords

  • Bacteria
  • Calcium formate
  • Crack repair
  • MICP
  • Nitrate reduction
  • Self-healing concrete

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