Investigating the effect of biological material on the property of concrete

Abstract

Abstract Biomineralization is an innovative technology adopted in the area of construction field. Biomineralization method involves use of biological material to improve the property of the concrete structure. The present study investigated the effect of prepared biological material of Bacillus sparecisus strain introduced into fly ash concrete as a new approach on its durability and mechanical property. Mechanical and durability property of bacterial blended fly ash concrete were studied at cell concentration of 105 cells/ml with varying concentration of bacterial solution to water. Test results revealed that, in comparison with conventional samples, those containing alkaliphilic endospore-forming bacteria material cured in tap water, recorded increase in compressive strength up to 30 % and decrease of durability property to 30 %. The ratio of bacteria solution to water played important role in improving the properties of concrete. At higher ratio, calcite precipitation by bacteria resulted in improvement of properties of concrete. Scanning electron microscope and XRD tests were performed to confirm the formation of calcite in the opening spaces of concrete.