Bio Concrete

Bio Concrete
Bio-concrete is a self-healing form of concrete designed to repair its own cracks. It is a type of concrete
that incorporates microorganisms, such as bacteria or fungi, to enhance its properties. These
microorganisms can produce minerals or other compounds that can improve the durability, strength,
and self-healing abilities of the concrete.
Concrete is one of the most widely used construction materials and has a high tendency to form cracks.
Although it is not possible to prevent crack formation, various types of techniques are in place to heal
the cracks. A microbial self-healing approach is distinguished by its potential for long lasting, rapid and
active crack repair, while also being environmentally friendly. It also increases the longevity of the
structures up to 200 years whereas normal concrete gives an average sustainability of 50 to 100 years.
Fig-1: Bio concrete

Wise crack: Self-healing concrete (theengineer.co.uk)
Bio concrete works by using bacteria to produce calcium carbonate, which can help to repair cracks in
the concrete. The bacteria used in bio concrete are usually of the Bacillus genus, and they are added to
the concrete mixture during the manufacturing process. When the concrete cracks, the bacteria are
activated and begin to feed on the calcium lactate in the concrete mix. As they consume the calcium
lactate, they produce calcium carbonate as a byproduct. This process is called microbial-induced calcium
carbonate precipitation (MICP), and it is what allows the bacteria to fill in the cracks and holes in the
concrete.
Fig-2: Chemical process of self healing concrete.

Chemical process of self-healing concrete. | Download Scientific Diagram (researchgate.net)
Here's how it works:
1. Incorporation of bacteria: The bacteria used in bio concrete is usually of the Bacillus genus. It is
added to the concrete mixture during the manufacturing process.
2. Activation of bacteria: When the concrete cracks or meets water, the bacteria are activated and
begin to feed on the calcium lactate in the concrete mix.
3. Production of calcium carbonate: As the bacteria consume the calcium lactate, they produce
calcium carbonate as a byproduct. This process is called microbial-induced calcium carbonate
precipitation (MICP).
4. Filling of cracks: The calcium carbonate fills in the cracks and holes in the concrete, effectively
repairing the damage.
Fig-3: Typical crack-healing processes via immobilized bacteria in concretes

Biomimetics | Free Full-Text | Biomimetic Self-Healing Cementitious Construction Materials for Smart Buildings (mdpi.com)
Benefits:
1. Self-healing properties: The bacteria in bio concrete can produce calcium carbonate, which can
fill in small cracks in the concrete and prevent them from expanding. This can help to extend the
lifespan of the concrete and reduce the need for costly repairs.
2. Improved durability: The formation of calcium carbonate in bio concrete can help to improve
the durability of the material, making it more resistant to weathering, corrosion, and other
forms of damage.
3. Environmental benefits: The use of bio concrete can reduce the environmental impact of
traditional concrete production by reducing the amount of waste produced and the energy
required to produce the material.
4. Cost-effectiveness: While the initial cost of producing bio concrete may be higher than
traditional concrete, the self-healing properties of the material can reduce the need for costly
repairs over the lifespan of the concrete, making it a more cost-effective option in the long run.
Disadvantages:
Bio concrete has several advantages, there are also some potential disadvantages to consider. These
include:
1. Limited self-healing capacity: While bio concrete can help to fill in small cracks, it may not be
effective at repairing larger or more significant damage to the material. This could limit its
usefulness in certain applications.
2. Longer setting time: The use of bacteria in bio concrete can increase the setting time of the
material, which could impact its practicality for some construction projects.
3. Potential for bacteria to become dormant: In some cases, the bacteria in bio concrete may
become dormant and lose their ability to produce calcium carbonate, which could limit the self-
healing capacity of the material.
4. Uncertainty about long-term durability: Because bio concrete is a relatively new material, there
is still some uncertainty about its long-term durability and performance in real-world conditions.
REFERENCES:
1. Jonkers, H. M., Thijssen, A., Muyzer, G., Copuroglu, O., & Schlangen, E. (2010). Application of bacteria
as self-healing agent for the development of sustainable concrete. Ecological Engineering, 36(2), 230-
235. doi: 10.1016/j.ecoleng.2008.12.013
2. Ramakrishnan, V., & Ramachandran, S. (2015). Microbial concrete: way to enhance the durability of
building structures. Journal of Cleaner Production, 109, 159-175. doi: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2014.09.067
3. De Muynck, W., De Belie, N., & Verstraete, W. (2010). Microbial carbonate precipitation in
construction materials: a review. Ecological Engineering, 36(2), 118-136. DOI:
10.1016/j.ecoleng.2009.02.006
4. Jonkers, H. M., & Schlangen, E. (2013). Environmental impact of self-healing concrete. In Self-healing
materials (pp. 353-362). Springer, Dordrecht. DOI: 10.1007/978-94-007-5946-0_21

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Fig-1: Bio concrete

Fig-2: Chemical process of self healing concrete.

Fig-3: Typical crack-healing processes via immobilized bacteria in concretes

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