Applicability of Bio-Based Self-Healing Concrete in Central European Conditions: a Preliminary Study

Abstract

Durability of concrete structures is significantly affected by the microcracks formation. The manual remediation of cracks is time consuming and financially challenging, thus research of the self-healing potential is a promising topic. The basic principle of the biological self-healing concrete is to fill the cracks with calcium carbonate, which is the product of metabolism of specific microorganisms, when they are supplied with appropriate nutrients and a source of calcium. The paper deals with cultivation of the selected microorganism – bacteria Bacillus pseudofirmus, determines its survival and viability in various difficult conditions simulating the production and final environment of the cementitious material and examines different possibilities of encapsulation of bacteria in protective carries, namely polyvinyl alcohol nanofibres and lightweight ceramic aggregates. The objective of this study was a preliminary evaluation of applicability of the investigated method in Central European conditions.