International Journal of Civil Engineering and Technology (IJCIET)
Volume 10, Issue 04, April 2019, pp. 147-154. Article ID: IJCIET_10_04_016
Available online at http://www.iaeme.com/ijciet/issues.asp?JType=IJCIET&VType=10&IType=04
ISSN Print: 0976-6308 and ISSN Online: 0976-6316
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STRENGTH STUDIES ON BIO CEMENT
CONCRETE
R. Santhi Kala
Ph.D Scholar Asst. Professor-Department of Civil Engineering, KKR & KSR Institute of
Technology & Sciences, Vinjanampadu, Vatticherukuru (M), Guntur, Andhra Pradesh,
INDIA
Dr. K.Chandramouli
External Guide to Mrs. R. Santhi KalaProfessor & HOD-Department of Civil Engineering,
NRI Institute of Technology, Visadala(V), Medikonduru(M), Guntur, Andhra Pradesh,
INDIA
Dr.N.Pannirselvam
Associate Professor-Department of Civil Engineering, SRM Institute of Science &
Technology, Kattankulathur, Chennai, Tamilnadu, INDIA
Dr. T.V.S.Varalakshmi
Guide to Mrs. R. Santhi Kala Professor & HOD -Department of Civil Engineering, ANU
College of Engineering, Nagarjuna Nagar, Nambur(M), Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, INDIA
V. Anitha
Asst. Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, NRI Institute of technology, Visadala(V),
Medikonduru(M), Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, INDIA
ABSTRACT
This study investigates the effect of deploying Bio cement on mechanical
properties of hardened concrete of Grade M25. Percolation of crack can lead to
leakage problems causing concrete matrix deterioration or corrosion of embedded
steel reinforcement. As bacterial concrete mainly focuses on self-healing property,
with the study of closing (or) controlling cracks at the origin itself is the concept of
bio-cement. Bacteria and an organic precursor are the agent. Bio cement has used as
volume substitution by 0.5%, 1%, 1.5% and 2% by the weight of the cement. A notable
improvement is being noticed in the strength properties of concrete when bio cement
is used. Bacteria consume oxygen internally to prevent corrosion of reinforced
concrete. The bacteria, however, pose no risk to human health, since they can only
survive under alkaline conditions in concrete. The addition of bio cement to the
concrete not only reduces permeability but will improve the properties of strength as
well as durability to a great extent.
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Mrs. R. Santhi Kala, Dr. K.Chandramouli Dr.N.Pannirselvam Dr. T.V.S.Varalakshmi and V.
Anith
Keywords: Bio-cement; MICCP; C-S-H gel; strength; durability
Cite this Article: Mrs. R. Santhi Kala, Dr. K.Chandramouli Dr.N.Pannirselvam Dr.
T.V.S.Varalakshmi and V. Anith, Strength Studies On Bio Cement Concrete,
International Journal of Civil Engineering and Technology, 10(4), 2019, pp. 147-154.
http://www.iaeme.com/IJCIET/issues.asp?JType=IJCIET&VType=10&IType=04
1. INTRODUCTION
Concrete cracking is a major concern, as it leads to a loss of structural strength over time. An
environmentally friendly solution is preferred over other non - degradable alternatives such as
epoxy resins, i.e. biological concrete. The concrete based on bacteria is thought to be
hybernated in concrete for up to 200 years. By adding a small amount of bio - cement in
cement at the time of mixing concrete, both microbial calcium carbonate precipitation
(MICCP) and C-S-H gel will be formed simultaneously, resulting in dense concrete with a
dense structure.
The production of bio - cement refers to the deposition of CaCo3, which is formed by the
activity of micro - organisms in a calcium ion rich system. Bacillus pasteurii with the urea
hydrolysis mechanism; the cementing process takes place in columns of pipes filled with
sand containing silica.
Urea / calcium solution and bacteria solution were immediately mixed and injected
several times in the sand core of the pipe column into the pressurized vessel until the sand
core was completely saturated. It takes about 24 hours for bio - cementation to complete the
reaction. The bio-cement should be dried at a temperature of 60° C afterwards.
Bio-cementation is a process based on the MICCP mechanism for the production of
binding material (Bio-cement). MICCP is mainly studied in the calcium carbonate production
process.
Figure 1 Illustrating the bio-cementation process
(Source: https://www.slideshare.net/AkashKarkar/biocement)
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Strength Studies on Bio Cement Concrete
Figure 2 Illustrating the scanning micrographs of conventional cement and bio-cement
(Source: https://www.slideshare.net/AkashKarkar/biocement)
Bioconcrete is specially made by forming a dense structure to increase the durability or
lifespan of the concrete structure. Bioconcrete is also referred to as bacterial bone or self healing bone.
1.1.
Constituents of bio-concrete:
The two components present in bio concrete:
 Special bacteria which must withstand alkalinity and concrete mechanical stress.
 The chemical precursor to activate the bacteria.
2. OBJECTIVES OF THE EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGATION
The main objective is to determine by experimentally on the behavior of bio-cement concrete.
 To evaluate the compressive strength, split tensile strength of the bio-cement
concrete in different proportions at different ages.
 The comparison is made between bio-cement concrete and normal concrete with
different percentages at different ages.
 To evaluate the optimum percentage of bio-cement.
3. EXPERIMENTAL DETAILS
In the present investigation, the following materials were used.
 Ordinary Portland cement of 53 Grade.
 Bio-cement
 Fine aggregate
 Coarse aggregate
 Water
3.1. Cement
53 Grade Ordinary Portland cement of Raasi gold brand is used for the experimental work.
The properties of cement tested have been listed below.
Normal Consistency - 31 mm
Initial Setting time - 120 min
Final Setting time - 300 min
Fineness test (90-micron sieve) - 7 %
Specific gravity - 3.15
3.2. Fine aggregate
The local available river sand from River Krishna is used for the experimental investigation.
The obtained values of the fine aggregate are as shown below:
Specific Gravity – 2.60
Water absorption – 1.65 %
Fineness modulus – 2.5
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Mrs. R. Santhi Kala, Dr. K.Chandramouli Dr.N.Pannirselvam Dr. T.V.S.Varalakshmi and V.
Anith
3.3. Coarse aggregate
In order to withstand the design loads and effects of weathering, aggregates must be better
than the hardened cement. The tested properties of the coarse aggregates are tabulated below.
Specific Gravity – 2.7
Water absorption – 1.4 %
Bulk density – 1490 kg/m3
3.4. Water
Drinking water used in laboratory was used for mixing the concrete and curing the
specimens.
3.5. Biocement
Biocement formation results from MICCP and this process known as biocementation.
Biocement refers to a CaCO3 deposit formed in the calcium ion - rich system due to micro organism activity.
3.6. History of Bacillus Pasteurii
In our present study, the bacteria used in the bio-cementation are Bacillus Pasteurii. The
family is placed at the department of the firmicutes. The names sporocina pasteurii and
Urobacillus pasteurii are used as synonyms. The cells are rod-shaped. They are grampositive. The diameter of the cells is between 0.5 and 4.0 µm in length. They appear singly or
in pairs.
It does not perform photosynthesis. The metabolism is due to the fermentation. It also
shows growth under anaerobic conditions when pH 9 with optimum temperature of 30° C.
Figure 3 Schematic View of Bacillus Pasteurii
4. MECHANISM
Cracks are formed on the concrete surface. But if cracks are more than 0.2mm then concrete
itself fails to heal itself thus opening passage to chemicals and other corroding materials. Bio
concrete reduces the permeability and increases durability of concrete by forming dense
concrete, resulting from the microbial additive ultimately increases the life time of concrete
structures.
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Strength Studies on Bio Cement Concrete
Figure 4 The cracks are formed on the surface of concrete due to many reasons like shrinkage,
inadequate water for hydration etc.
(Source: https://www.slideshare.net/AkashKarkar/biocement)
Figure 5 The water is deliberately forced into the crack and the precursor is activated.
(Source: https://www.slideshare.net/AkashKarkar/biocement)
Figure 6 The activated precursor intern induces the bacteria to react with that precursor and form a
base of calcium carbonate called as limestone.
(Source: https://www.slideshare.net/AkashKarkar/biocement)
4.1. Application of healing agents
a. Direct application: When the concrete is made directly, the bacteria and the chemical
precursor (calcium lactate) are added.
b. Encapsulation (Light Weight Aggregate): The course aggregate part is replaced by the
lightweight aggregate, which is saturated with the calcium lactate solution and the bacteria's
spores twice. After the clay particles are saturated with 6% healing agents and concrete is
produced.
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Mrs. R. Santhi Kala, Dr. K.Chandramouli Dr.N.Pannirselvam Dr. T.V.S.Varalakshmi and V.
Anith
5. HARDENED CONCRETE
a. Compressive strength
The compressive strength of bio-cement concrete has shown increment. The results that
are obtained for the compressive strength at 7 days and 28days are as shown below:
Table 1 Results of compressive strength test of bio-cement concrete
Curing time
Normal
Concrete
Bio-concrete
0.5%
1%
1.5%
2.0%
7 days(N/mm2)
21.66
23.85
25.81
23.68
21.28
28 days(N/mm2)
30.96
33.91
35.71
33.34
30.43
b. Split Tensile strength
The bio-cement concrete increases the split tensile strength appropriately. The results that are
obtained for the split tensile strength at 7 days and 28 days are as shown below:
Table 2 Results of split tensile strength test of bio-cement concrete
Curing time
Normal
Concrete
Bio concrete
0.5%
1%
1.5%
2.0%
2.58
2.84
3.11
2.78
2.46
28 days(N/mm2)
3.92
4.28
4.57
4.16
3.62
Compressive strength N/mm2
7 days(N/mm2)
Compressive Strength of Bio-concrete
40
35
30
25
20
15
7 days
10
28 days
5
0
0(Normal
Concrete)
0.5
1
1.5
2
% of Bio-cement in concrete
Figure 7 Results of compressive strength test of normal & bio-cement concrete@ 7 & 28
days
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Split Tensile Strength N/mm2
Strength Studies on Bio Cement Concrete
Split Tensile Strength of Bio-Concrete
5
4
3
2
7 days
1
28 days
0
0(Normal
Concrete)
0.5
1
1.5
2
% of Bio-cement in concrete
Figure 8 Results of Split Tensile strength test of normal & bio-cement concrete@ 7 & 28 days
6. CONCLUSIONS
Results have been analyzed taking into consideration the strength characteristics of biocement concrete of M25 grade.
1. Because of its eco-friendly nature, self-healing abilities and increased durability of
various building materials, microbial concrete technology has proved to be better
than many conventional technologies.
2. In various cemented and stone materials, compressive strength was increased,
permeability reduction, water absorption and increased corrosion were observed.
3. Cementation provides the basis for high - quality structures that are cost effective and environmentally safe, but more work is needed to improve the
feasibility of this technology both from an economic
4. The experimental tests revealed that the strength properties of concrete improved
with the addition of bio-cement to the concrete.
5. The addition of bio-cement considerably increased the strength characteristics of
concrete, mainly compressive strength and tensile strength.
6. The cracking resistance of the concrete has also improved to a greater extent.
7. Compressive strength of bio-cement concrete of grade M25 improved compared
to normal concrete
8. The compressive strength of bio-concrete has increased to 15.34 % for 1%
addition of biocement at a curing period of 28 days.
9. The split tensile strength of bio-concrete has increased to 16.58 % for 1% addition
of biocement at a curing period of 28 days.
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Anith
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