JASC: JOURNAL OF APPLIED SCIENCE AND COMPUTATIONS ISSN NO: 0076-5131

Strengthening Of Self-Healing Concrete by Adding Fungus and

Bacteria – A Review
B.Subramanian1, N.Saravanarajan2

1 PG student: dept. of civil engineering, K.S.R.C.T, Tiruchengode, India

2 Assistant Professor: Dept. Of Civil Engineering, K.S.R.C.T Tiruchengode, India
subramanicivil12@gmail.com

Abstract — Strengthening of self-healing concrete by adding fungus and bacteria to heal the crack improves the
durability of concrete and eco-friendly. This paper discuss about the analysis of fungus and bacteria by various methods like
Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) method. It is found that microbial mineral precipitation
as a result from metabolic activities of favourable bacteria and fungus in concrete improved the overall behaviour of concrete.
This helps readers such as civil engineers for further analysis of self-healing concrete.

Keywords—self-healing, bacterial concrete, scanning electron microscope, fungi based concrete.

I. INTRODUCTION
A Self-healing material is described as a material that is capable of repairing itself back to the original state. The concept of
self-healing concrete (SHC) that happens over time (autogenic) has been noticed over 20 years. It can be observed in many
old structures which have remained standing for long periods of time in spite of the fact that they have limited maintenance.
This observation concludes that the cracks heal when moisture interacts with non-hydrated cement clinker in the crack.
Nevertheless, in present-day constructions, the cement is lowered as a result of modern construction methods. Hence, the
amount of available non-hydrated cement is less and therefore, the natural healing effect is reduced.

II. METHODS OF ANALYSIS

 Ultrasonic pulse velocity
 Scanning Electron Microscope.
 X-Ray Diffraction Method.

I. ULTRASONIC PULSE VELOCITY

The time taken for the electronic pulses to propagate through the concrete is measured by electronic measuring circuits.
II. SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPE
The calcite deposition inside the micro cracks of concrete by bacteria is analysed under SEM.
III. X-RAY DIFFRACTION METHOD
Information about the crystal structure, chemical composition and physical properties of cement composites can be viewed.

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III. LITERATURE REVIEW

Ramakrishnan et al (2001) investigate an innovative biotechnology utilizing micro-biologically induced mineral precipitation
for concrete remediation. Calcite precipitation induced by bacillus pasteurii was studied in two types of Portland cement
mortar specimens. (One with mixing microorganism & other with stimulated crack filled with microbial mixtures). The study
shows that there was a significant increase in compressive strength Cracks filled with bacteria and sand demonstrated a
significant increase in compressive strength.

Ghosh et al (2005) describes a method of strength improvement of cement–sand mortar by the microbiologically induced
mineral precipitation. A thermophilic anaerobic microorganism is incorporated at different cell concentrations with the
mixing water. The study showed that a 25% increase in 28 days’ compressive strength of cement mortar was achieved with
the addition of about 105 cell/ml of mixing water. The strength improvement is due to growth of filler material within the
pores of the cement–sand matrix as shown by the scanning electron microscopy. This growth is beneficial by the
modification of the porosity and pore size distribution of cement mortar which it generates.

Jonkers et al (2010) focused on the investigation on the potential of bacteria to act as self-healing agent in concrete, i.e. their
ability to repair occurring cracks. A specific group of alkali-resistant spore-forming bacteria related to the genus Bacillus
was selected for this purpose. Bacterial spores directly added to the cement paste mixture remained viable for a period up
to 4 months. A continuous decrease in pore size diameter during cement stone setting probably limited life span of spores
as pore widths decreased below 1micron. However, as bacterial cement stone specimens appeared to produce substantially
more crack-plugging minerals than control specimens.

Wang et al (2010) have analysed the environment-friendly and autonomous crack repair technique. Previous research has
shown that Bacillus sphaericus bacteria are able to precipitate calcium carbonate (CaCO3) on their cell constituents and in
their micro-environment by conversion of urea (CO(NH2)2) into ammonium (NH4+) and carbonate (CO32-). The bacterial
degradation of urea locally increases the pH and promotes the microbial deposition of calcium carbonate. Moreover, some
of the repair methods currently used are not so sustainable. Therefore, it would be desirable if concrete cracks could be
healed autonomously by releasing healing agents inside the matrix when cracks appear.

Nele De Belie et al (2010) investigated that Synthetic polymers are currently used for concrete repair, may be harmful to the
environment, the use of a biological repair technique is investigated in this study. Ureolytic bacteria such as Bacillus
sphaericus are able to precipitate CaCO3 in their micro-environment by conversion of urea into ammonium and carbonate.
It promotes the microbial deposition of carbonate as calcium carbonate in a calcium rich environment. These precipitated
crystals can thus fill the cracks. The crack healing potential of bacteria and traditional repair techniques are compared in this
research by means of water permeability tests, ultrasound transmission measurements and visual examination. In this
research, silica gel was used to protect the bacteria against the high pH in concrete. Protection of the bacteria by means of
this gel matrix seemed to be effective as CaCO3 crystals were precipitated inside the matrix which was not the case if only
bacteria were used, without immobilization in the silica gel.

Sunil Pratap Reddy et al (2010) investigated the performance of the concrete by the microbiologically induced special
growth/filler. One such thought has led to the development of a very special concrete known as Bacterial Concrete where
bacteria is induced in the mortars and concrete to heal up the faults. Researchers with different bacteria’s proposed different
bacterial concrete’s. Here an attempt was made by using the bacteria “Bacillus subtilis”. The compressive strength of cement
mortar is maximum with the addition of bacillus subtilis bacteria for a cell concentration of 105 cells per ml of mixing water.
So, bacteria with a cell concentration of 105 cells per ml of mixing water was used in the investigation.

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Varenyam Achal et al (2010) Investigated that natural processes, such as weathering, faults, land subsidence, earthquakes,
and human activities create fractures and fissures in concrete structures which can reduce the service life of the structures.
A novel strategy to restore or remediate such structures is bio mineralization of calcium carbonate using microbes such as
Bacillus species.

Ramakrishnan et al (2013) describe that microbiologically induced calcite precipitation (MICP) is a technique that comes
under a broader category of science called bio mineralization. It is a process by which living organisms form inorganic solids.
Bacillus Pasteruii, a common soil bacterium can induce the precipitation of calcite. As a microbial sealant, CaCO3 exhibited
its positive potential in selectively consolidating simulated fractures and surface fissures in granites and in the consolidation
of sand. The durability performance increased with increase in the concentration of bacteria. Microbial calcite precipitation
was quantified by X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis and visualized by SEM.

Parnnika et al (2013) describe that the need of a new technology to overcome the shortcomings of concrete has led to the
development of a very special concrete known as Bacterial Concrete. In our present research, Microbiologically Enhanced
Crack Remediation (MECR) technique is used for remediation which involves a selective microbial plugging process, in
which microbial metabolic activities promote calcium carbonate (calcite) precipitation, thus reducing the pore concentration
and increases its compressive strength and durability.

Seshagiri Rao et al (2013) shows a novel technique based on the application of biominerilization of bacteria in concrete. The
applicability of specifically calcite mineral precipitating bacteria for concrete repair and plugging of pores and cracks in
concrete has been recently investigated and studies on the possibility of using specific bacteria as a sustainable and concrete
-embedded self-healing agent was studied and results from ongoing studies are discussed. Synthetic polymers such as epoxy
treatment etc. are currently being used for repair of concrete are harmful to the environment, hence the use of a biological
repair technique in concrete is focused. In the present paper, an attempt is made to incorporate dormant but viable bacteria
in the concrete matrix which will contribute to the strength and durability of the concrete. Water which enters the concrete
will activate the dormant bacteria which in turn will give strength to the concrete through the process of metabolically
mediated calcium carbonate precipitation.

Soens et al (2014) have analysed the viability of encapsulated spores and the influence of microcapsules on mortar specimens
were investigated first. Breakage of the microcapsules upon cracking was verified by Scanning Electron Microscope. Self-
healing capacity was evaluated by crack healing ratio and the water permeability. The results indicated that the healing ratio
in the specimens with bio microcapsules was higher (48%–80%) than in those without bacteria (18%–50%). The specimens
with bacteria had much higher crack healing ratio compared to the ones without bacteria: 18% to 50% of crack area healed
in non-bacteria series and 48% to 80% of crack area was healed in the bacterial series.
Wang et al (2015) have analysed the self-healing concept by Bacteria Controlled Mineralisation (BCM). The main principle
of this technique is to heal the crack very quickly. BCM process involves the process of formation of magnetite by magneto
tactic bacteria. The amount of CaCo3 formed is directly dependent on the amount of urea decomposed during the process
of urea hydrolysis. Urea hydrolysis also promotes the Bacillus Sphaericus living cells. These B.Sphaericus produces more
extract in short period of time.

Krishnapriya et al (2015) investigated that isolate and calcite precipitating bacteria and to check the suitability of these bacteria
for use in concrete to improve its strength. Bacteria to be incorporated in concrete should be alkali resistant to endure the
high pH of concrete and endospore forming to withstand the mechanical stresses induced in concrete during mixing. They
must exhibit high urease activity to precipitate calcium carbonate in the form of calcite. Bacterial strains were isolated from
alkaline soil samples of a cement factory and were tested for urease activity, potential to form endospores and precipitation
of calcium carbonate. The compressive strength of bacterial concrete specimens with Bacillus megaterium BSKAU, Bacillus
licheniformis BSKNAU, Bacillus flexus BSKNAU and Bacillus megaterium MTCC 1684 has increased when compared to
control concrete specimens.

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Heesup Choi et al (2016) describes that cracks in cementitious composite materials are effectively dispersed using synthetic
fibres and for cracks with a width of more than 0.1 mm. A review of the optimal self-healing conditions is conducted along
with the review of a diverse range of self-healing performance factors. As a result, it was confirmed that the self-healing
conditions of saturated Ca(OH)2 solution, which supplied CO2 micro-bubbles, displayed the most effective self-healing
performance in the surface and internal sections of the cracks. It was confirmed that self-healing of cementitious composite
materials alone and cementitious composite materials mixed with synthetic fibre with polarity progressed not only on the
surface of the cracks but also in the internal sections of the cracks.

Mohammad Mahdi Taheri et al (2016) describes that calcium carbonate precipitation is used, which induced autonomous
healing of cracks in concrete. Various approaches are adopted to develop self-healing cement based materials, where
experiments are conducted to establish a new method of self-healing. However, comprehensive evaluations of self-healing
efficiency are not performed at the level of macro-, micro- and Nano scale. Existing approaches evaluated the self-healing
efficiency at the macrostructure level. These are based on the durability criterion of water absorption, chloride and acid
resistance. Only few tests are conducted at the nanostructure level. It is worth to review all the available tests and methods
on self-healing efficiency assessment of cement based materials to develop innovative experimental strategy. Present study
analysed and compared several tests and methods that were developed to evaluate the self-healing efficiency of concrete.
Bio and/or chemical deposition of calcium carbonate or polymerization products were mainly triggered by the presence of
moisture, high humidity and water. However, the water curing condition proved to be the most effective in terms of self-
healing.

Neha Singla et al (2016) describes that production of cement alone contributes to about 7% of global anthropogenic CO2
emissions which is responsible for greenhouse effect resulting in global warming. A novel eco-friendly technique of self-
healing is amongst one of the approach to investigate the crack healing mechanism in enhancing properties of concrete.
Microbiologically Induced Calcite Precipitation (MICP), is a process wherein a highly impermeable layer of calcite precipitate
formed over the surface of an already existing concrete layer, due to microbial activities of the bacteria which seals the cracks
in the concrete structure. This paper focuses on the basic process involved in formation of bacterial concrete and outlines
the experimental studies carried out for investigation in the enhancement of the strength parameters of bacterial concrete.
Monishaa et al (2017) have analysed the strength of self-healing concrete by bacterial species Bacillus subtilis. The principle
behind the bacterial crack healing mechanism is that the bacteria should able to transform soluble organic nutrients to
insoluble which heals the crack. When crack appears in concrete structures and water starts to seep in through, the spores
of bacteria starts microbial activities on contact with water and oxygen. Due to this microbial activity, calcite crystals are
precipitated through nitrogen cycle, which is converted into insoluble CaCo3 which heals the crack. The mix proportions
are designed as per IS 10262-2009. Compression, split tensile and Flexural tests have been carried out. From the above test,
the strength of self-healing concrete increases when compared to control concrete.

Gaurav Agarwal et al (2017) shows that cracks in concrete are inevitable so there is a need for repair which affects the
economic life of any structure. To overcome this problem an inherent biomaterial is developed, a self-repairing material
which can remediate the cracks in concrete. Bacterial concrete is a technique which is highly desirable because the calcium
precipitation is induced as a result of microbial activities. This helps in increasing the strength and durability of concrete. As
per the results, it is clearly observed that there is increase in compressive strength, tensile strength and durability in bacterial
concrete as compared with normal concrete. This is the main objective of the bacterial concrete for which it was introduced.
Various tests which are carried out to study these properties of concrete are compressive strength test, Split tensile test.
Scanning Electron Microscope (S.E.M) is used to study the growth of bacteria in the concrete.

Jada crump et al (2018) have analysed the fungi named Trichoderma Reesei as self-healing agent to promote calcium mineral
precipitation to heal the crack. Fungal growth medium was overlaid onto cured concrete plates. Mycelial discs were deposited
at the centre of the plate which increases the pH value from its original value (6.5 to 13.0). These tests were conducted on
normal water and concrete disc. Increase in pH value allows the fungus to growth. X-ray diffraction (XRD) & Scanning
electron microscope (SEM) confirmed that the crystals precipitated on the fungal hyphae were composed of calcite.

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IV. CONCLUSION
This review shows that by the application of bacteria and fungi in concrete it was found that the compressive strength and
tensile strength of concrete increased with a decrease in permeability, water absorption and corrosion of reinforcement
compared to that of conventional concrete.

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