Crack healing utilising bacterial spores in concrete

Richardson, Alan, Amess, Leon, Neville, Simon and Walton, Christopher (2017) Crack healing utilising bacterial spores in concrete. Journal of Green Building, 12 (3). pp. 103-114. ISSN 1552-6100

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Abstract

This self repair system is based upon harmless ground borne bacteria as the self healing agent. The bacteria is activated after the concrete is cracked and the bacterial spores are exposed to moisture and air. The bacterial reproduction process creates a calcite by-product which fills the cracks in the concrete. By sealing the cracks in concrete, an effective barrier to air or liquid borne deleterious materials is formed and as a consequence of his, enhanced durability is achieved in the structure, resulting in lower life cycle costs.
The concrete/mortar prisms were cracked and tested for water flow. They were then left for 56 days to heal and were subject to a test for water tightness. Healing was observed and a reduced water flow (74% and 32% healed) measured with the healed samples when compared to the specimens that were cracked and subjected to a water flow test without any healing agent.
The number of samples were limited and a larger scale test is recommended for further work, however this is proof of concept of the process of healing and testing.

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