Quantification of chemical and biological calcium carbonate precipitation: Performance of self-healing in reinforced mortar containing chemical admixtures

Abstract Cracks increase permeability affecting the durability of concrete. As they develop gradually, it is difficult to determine when to repair them. Self-healing materials can repair themselves gradually as cracks form. In this study, the isolated and combined effect of two self-healing agents for concrete, both based on calcium carbonate precipitation, was studied. Lightweight aggregates were impregnated with chemical and biological solution to be added as healing agents in concrete mixtures. The influence of two common chemical admixtures on the performance of the self-healing agents was also studied. All self-healing agents were able to seal cracks between 0.08 and 0.22 mm in width. The estimated effect of chemical agents on the mean healing was higher than that of biological agents. In addition, thermogravimetric analysis suggests the precipitates are different. Admixtures had no significant influence on the performance of self-healing agents.

[1]  Karen Scrivener,et al.  Delayed ettringite formation , 2001 .

[2]  H. Lee,et al.  Microbially mediated calcium carbonate precipitation on normal and lightweight concrete , 2013 .

[3]  S. Bang,et al.  Microbial calcite, a bio-based smart nanomaterial in concrete remediation , 2010 .

[4]  Haoxiang Wei,et al.  Crystallization habit of calcium carbonate in presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate and/or polypyrrolidone , 2004 .

[5]  W. Verstraete,et al.  Key roles of pH and calcium metabolism in microbial carbonate precipitation , 2002 .

[6]  A. Decho.  Overview of biopolymer-induced mineralization: What goes on in biofilms? , 2010 .

[7]  J. Renshaw,et al.  Controls on the rate of ureolysis and the morphology of carbonate precipitated by S. Pasteurii biofilms and limits due to bacterial encapsulation , 2012 .

[8]  Shuhong Yu,et al.  Template-free polymorph discrimination and synthesis of calcium carbonate minerals. , 2009, Chemical communications.

[9]  Henk M. Jonkers,et al.  Quantification of crack-healing in novel bacteria-based self-healing concrete , 2011 .

[10]  G. Muyzer,et al.  Application of bacteria as self-healing agent for the development of sustainable concrete , 2010 .

[11]  Nele De Belie,et al.  Bacterial carbonate precipitation as an alternative surface treatment for concrete , 2008 .

[12]  S van der Zwaag,et al.  Self-healing behaviour in man-made engineering materials: bioinspired but taking into account their intrinsic character , 2009, Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society A: Mathematical, Physical and Engineering Sciences.

[13]  H. Jonkers,et al.  Development of a bacteria-based self healing concrete , 2008 .

[14]  W. Verstraete,et al.  Bio-deposition of a calcium carbonate layer on degraded limestone by Bacillus species , 2006, Biodegradation.

[15]  R. Strange,et al.  Biochemical changes occurring during sporulation in Bacillus species. , 1956, The Biochemical journal.

[16]  Mauricio Lopez,et al.  Assessing Lightweight Aggregate Efficiency for Maximizing Internal Curing Performance , 2011 .

[17]  N. De Belie,et al.  Diatomaceous earth as a protective vehicle for bacteria applied for self-healing concrete , 2012, Journal of Industrial Microbiology & Biotechnology.

[18]  Carola Edvardsen,et al.  Water Permeability and Autogenous Healing of Cracks in Concrete , 1999 .

[19]  H. Masuoka,et al.  Controlling factors and mechanism of reactive crystallization of calcium carbonate polymorphs from calcium hydroxide suspensions , 2002 .

[20]  R. Reid,et al.  Processes of carbonate precipitation in modern microbial mats , 2009 .

[21]  En-Hua Yang,et al.  Self Healing in Concrete Materials , 2007 .

[22]  D. M. Ivey,et al.  Genome of alkaliphilic Bacillus pseudofirmus OF4 reveals adaptations that support the ability to grow in an external pH range from 7.5 to 11.4. , 2011, Environmental microbiology.

[23]  W. Verstraete,et al.  Use of bacteria to repair cracks in concrete , 2010 .