APPLICABILITY OF BIO-BASED SELF-HEALING CONCRETE IN CENTRAL EUROPEAN CONDITIONS: A PRELIMINARY STUDY

Abstract

The paper is focused on bio-based self-healing concrete. The aim of this method is to ensure durability of concrete structures, which 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 method 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 – Bacillus pseudofirmus, it determines its survival and viability in various difficult conditions simulating the production and final environment of the cementitious material and it examines different possibilities of encapsulation of bacteria in protective carriers, 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. Results showed, that the selected bacteria could be a suitable candidate, as it was able to restore metabolic activity after the freeze-thaw cycles, which may occur in this region. Furthermore, Bacillus pseudofirmus is probably able to resist glutaraldehyde vapour, which could be a beneficial ability for further research.