Effect of Microbiological Growth Components for Bacteria-Based Self-Healing on the Properties of Cement Mortar

Previous studies of bacteria-based self-healing concrete have shown that it is necessary to encapsulate and separate the self-healing ingredients (bacteria, nutrients, and precursors) in the concrete so that when a crack forms, capsules rupture, which allows the self-healing ingredients to come together and precipitate calcite into the crack. Because of the shearing action in the concrete mixer, there is a chance that these capsules, or other carriers, may rupture and release the self-healing ingredients. This would affect the efficiency of self-healing, but may detrimentally affect the concrete’s properties. This work investigated the effects of multi-component growth media, containing germination and sporulation aids for the bacterial aerobic oxidation pathway, on the basic properties of fresh and hardened concrete instead of the potential self-healing efficiency in a structural service. Tests were carried out to measure the effects of growth media on air content, fluidity, capillary absorption, strength development of cement mortar following corresponding standards, hydration kinetics, setting properties, and the microstructure of cement paste, according to certain specifications or using specific machines. The research has demonstrated that a multi-constituent growth media will not have a significant effect on the properties of concrete in the proportions likely to be released during mixing. This important conclusion will allow further development of these novel materials by removing one of the key technical barriers to increased adoption.