A REVIEW ON SELF HEALING CONCRETE

ASHEESH KUMAR SRIVASTAVA, LAVDEEP SINGH PATEL

SHUBHAM SINGH RAJPOOT, VAIBHAV SRIVASTAVA

KALI CHARAN NIGAM INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY BANDA (U.P.)

 Abstract
Crack formation is very common phenomenon in concrete structure
which allows the water and different type of chemical into the
concrete through the cracks and decreases their durability, strength
and which also affect the reinforcement when it comes in contact
with water, CO2 and other chemicals. For repairing the cracks
developed in the concrete, it requires regular maintenance and
special type of treatment which will be very expansive. So, to
overcome from this problem autonomous self-healing mechanism is
introduced in the concrete which helps to repair the cracks by
producing calcium carbonate crystals which block the micro cracks
and pores in the concrete. The selection of the bacteria was
according to their survival in the alkaline environment such as Bacillus
pasteurii, Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus sphaericus which are mainly
used for the experiments by different researchers for their study. The
condition of growth is different for different types of bacteria. For the
growth, bacteria were put in a medium containing different chemical
at a particular temperature and for a particular time period. Bacteria
improves the structural properties such as tensile strength, water
permeability, durability and compressive strength of the normal
concrete which was found by the performing different type of
experiment on too many specimens had varying sizes used by
different researchers for their study of bacterial concrete
 INTRODUCTION
Concrete is very good material to resist the compressive load to a
limit but if the load applied on the concrete is more than their limit of
resisting load, it causes the strength reduction of concrete by
producing the cracks in the concrete and the treatment of the cracks
is very expensive. Some of the property like durability, permeability
and strength of the concrete structure is also decreases. Due to
increase in the permeability of the concrete the water easily pass
through the concrete and come in the contact with the reinforcement
of the concrete structure and after some time corrosion start due to
this strength of the concrete structure will decreases so it will be
necessary to repair the cracks. By introduce the bacteria in concrete it
producing calcium carbonate crystals which block the micro cracks
and pores in the concrete. In concrete micro cracks are always
avoided but to some extent they are responsible to their failure in
strength.The selection of the bacteria is depend on the survive
capability of bacteria in the alkaline environment. Most of the
microorganisms die in an environment with pH value of 10 or above.

 Various Types of Bacteria Used in Concrete

There are various types of bacteria used in self-healing concrete
construction. They are as follow:

1. Bacillus pasteurii (Sporosarcina pasteurii)

2. Bacillus sphaericus
3. Escherichia coli
4. Bacillus subtilis
5. Bacillus cohnii
6. Bacillus balodurans
7. Bacillus pseudofirmus

Fig. Process of Fixing Crack in Concrete

 LITERATURE REVIEW
Current study has overview that biotechnology can really be a
supportive device to reduce micro cracks in concrete structures by
using Bacillus species of bacterial in concrete. This latest category of
concrete fixes itself.
1. V. Krishnan et al. (2001) this paper has been informed that MICP
it’s the mechanism used for healing crack and fissure by using
biotechnology and they use Bacillus pasteruii. They observed that
because of the production of calcite is in the natural way the MICP is
cost effective. Durability, stiffness and strength of concrete is
enhancing by the use of bacterial solution in concrete. They use XRD
and SEM analysis to measure the amount of precipitation of calcite
and pictured. Finally, they observed that the several chemical attacks
and the shrinkage enhance because of introducing of bacteria in
various medium of concrete [14].
2. Chava Srinivas. Et al, (2004) High volume fly ash can be
incorporated into M20 grade concrete, thus maximizing the use of
 FA. Considering the stress – strain behaviour, the ductility of bacterial
concrete is more than that of fly ash added bacterial concrete.
3. N. Chahal and R.Siddique (2008) this study has been presented
that with use of Sporosarcina pasteurii which would make it, self-
healing. They observed that newly formed cracks healed by the
presence of bacteria. In the concrete mix 10%, 20% and 30% and also
5% and 10% dosage of fly ash and silica fume respectively replacing
cement in the bacterial solution of 103, 105 and 107 cells/ml. They
did tests on the water absorption and porosity, chloride permeability
and compressive strength by using up to age 91 days. They concluded
that by the presence of S. pasteruii increase compressive strength,
cut downs the permeability and porosity of silica fume and fly ash
concrete [15].
4. E Schlangen et al (2010), studied about the concrete in water
retaining structures. A relatively large crack in reinforced concrete
and the path to the reinforcement is bloc. This method is useful for
water retaining.
5. Navdeep Kaur Dhami (2012) et al, purposed to investigate the
potential of Bacillus magisterium to produce calcite and improve
properties of Fly ash bricks and Rice husk ash bricks. They found that
the treated bricks have showed improved compressive strength and
reduction in frost attack, water absorption due to calcite deposition
on the surface and voids of bricks. SEM images, X-ray diffraction and
energy dispersive X-ray analysis confirmed the precipitates formed as
CaCO3 are calcite crystals. These observations suggest that this
technology has the potential of producing durable and eco-friendly
building blocks.
6. M ShVekariya1, Prof. J. Pitroda (2013), this paper was
presented that the microorganisms used in concrete to enhance the
all properties of concrete by the biological mechanisms. Bio concrete
 have eco- friendly, self-healing and rise in durability of several
construction material this gives good technology than other normal
technologies. Study of several researchers has enhanced our
understanding of the possibilities and limitations of biotechnological
applications on building materials. Decreasing in permeability,
improving of compressive strength, corrosion of reinforcement,
water absorption has been observed in several stone and
cementations material. Cementation by this method is very simple
and suitable for usage. Finally, they concluded that more work is
regarding to economical and practical viewpoint to enhance the
possibility of biotechnology with high- quality structures.
7. R. Sri Bhavana, P. Polu Raju, S S Asadi (2014), in this study has
been presented; a biological repair technique was used in which
bacteria of 105cells/ml were mixed with concrete to seal the micro-
cracks. The tests they did on this experiment are like Flexural, split
tensile and compressive strength by B. subtilis type of bacteria for 3,
7 and 28 days. In addition to above technique fly ash was partially
added in the place of cement. The cement is replacing by 10% and
30% fly ash in concrete mix tests were did generally found that
cement when replacing by 10% fly ash attained maximum strength
with and without bacteria than normal concrete.
8. Prof. M. Manjunath, A. A. Kalaje, Santosh A. Kadapure,
(2014), This paper was presented the observation they are did the
tests on the mechanical properties of concrete, chloride permeability
and water absorption and also fly ash replacing cement by 10% and
20% with bacterial solutions of 103,105,107 using B. sphaericus at
age of 28 days. Generally, they concluded that mechanical properties
are improved by the presence of bacteria and decrease water
absorption and permeability. The better results gains at bacterial
solution of 105cells/ml.
9. S.Krishnapriyaetal (2015), purposed to use three type of bacteria
named Bacillus megaterium (BSKAU), Bacillus licheniformis (BSKNAU)
and bacillus flexus (BSKNAU). Cracks were induced in the beam
specimens by introducing a thin copper plate of thickness 0.3 mm up
to a depth of 10 mm in the fresh concrete. The plates were removed
before final setting of concrete such that a crack was clearly visible in
the beam specimens. The specimens were removed from moulds
after 24 hours and cured in water. The mix design which was use is
M25.They found that the Bacillus megaterium MTCC1684 exhibited
high urease activity and Bacillus licheniformis BSKNAU is close to
Bacillus megaterium MTCC 1684.
10. Thakur, A. Phogat, K. Singh (2016), This paper has presented
the overview of several paper in the current years on the use of bio
concrete for improving in the mechanical properties, durability and
permeation features of normal concrete. They have been studies the
analysis on bio concrete by XRD and SEM tests and also several types
of bacteria’s, their isolation process, several methods used in the
adding of bacterial species in concrete and their belongings on water
absorption and compressive strength. Finally, they concluded the
bacterial type such as B. cereus and S. pasteurii extreme rise in the
compressive strength and the maximum reduce in water absorption
for 28 days curing period of specimen respectively. The bacterial like
bacillus sphaericus, B. pasteurii, and Bacillus flexus are not harm the
human body and also, they have the potential to precipitate calcite
but some other bacterial species is dangerous for human health.
11. K. Chintalapudi, R Mohan Rao.P (2016),this paper has been
presented the bio technology that gains the satisfactory outcomes in
remedying the micro cracks in concrete and informed that micro-
cracks sealed by process of hydration in continuous situation. For
better outcomes in strength and durability the improvement of pore
 structure and optimum bacterial solutions were did. They concluded
that by the introducing of bacteria in concrete achieved reduction of
permeability, keeping pH under favourable situations rise durability
and compressive strength and also the potential to seal and heal the
micro-cracks in concrete was found. The compressive strength
observed for 91 days given satisfying results than compared to 28-day
compressive strength observed for a bacterial concentration of 105
cells/ml. B. pasteurii used in concrete that improve the durability and
cut down the water absorption in concrete structure. The bacterial
solutions are the ability used as admixtures in concrete helps in
enhancing the mechanical performance of concrete.
12. Kunal. R. Patil, B. Waghere, B. K. Ahire, et al (2016), This
research has been informed that an experiment on bio concrete with
the several type of bacteria Bacillus pasteruii and Bacillus sharicus to
enhancing durability and strength of concrete with the mechanism of
MICP at age of 7,28 days. They found that when bacteria are added
to the concrete its gives less compressive strength than nutrient
broth solution by bacillus sphaericus and Bacillus pasteruii.
13. K. Pappupreethi, A. Rajisha and P. Magudeaswaran
(2017), this paper has been presented that using bacterial in
concrete to enhancing the properties of bacterial concrete when it
compared to normal concrete such as compressive and flexural
strength and within the same time to decrease the water absorption,
permeability and reinforcement corrosion. This paper enhanced the
knowledge about bacterial concrete by defining the type, merit, and
demerit and how it’s used as repair material and also used different
admixtures such fly ash, silica fume in bacterial concrete due to this
condition bio concrete achieved improved durability and strength.
14. P. Ingle, M. Shrestha, R. Potdar (2017) this paper has
presented the bio concrete with and without risk husk and also
 permeability compressive strength tests they are did by introducing
of B. pasteruii. They use 2%, 4% and 6% rise husk replacing cement
and used several bacterial solutions like 103, 105 and 107cells/ml I
production of concrete. Finally, they concluded that compressive
strength rise, permeability and porosity of rice husk concrete is
decrease by the introduction of B. pasteruii and also enhances
durability.

 Major Findings from the Literature Review

After completion of literature reviews, following are the numerous
findings of the reviews as follows:
1. Combination of numerous types of bacteria like E. Coli, B. subtilis, S.
pasteurii, and bacillus Sphaericus etc., in the concrete, caused in the
enrichment of compressive strength based on the kind of bacteria,
the grade of cement and other ingredients.
2. Because of calcium carbonate precipitation durability and corrosion
linked behaviour of the concrete was improved, which can do
bacteria like bacillus sphaericusin, sporosarcina pasteurii, bacillus
Subtilis etc.
3. At 105 ml/ cell bacterial solution achieved maximum compressive
strength, durability and other linked behaviour of bio concrete. Cell
concentration of the bacteria in the water, which was introduced to
the concrete.
4. The overall behaviour of the concrete improved and also some
properties like microstructure, strength and density with all bacteria
of bacillus group.
5. The b. subtilis, JC3, etc. introducing in concrete that decrease the
water absorption of concrete.
6. The self-healing concrete are also used with other industrial waste
material such as fly ash, silica fume, Rise husk and etc.
 MATERIALS AND METHODS
A.Materials
The ordinary concrete used in the test program consisted of
cementing materials, mineral aggregates and corrosion inhibitor with
the following specifications:
1. Ordinary Portland Cement (53 Grade)
2. Graded fine aggregates.
3. Graded coarse aggregates.
4. Water.
5. Bacteria – Bacillus Sphaericus

1. Ordinary Portland Cement

The cement is a binding material. It conforms to IS456-2000 (53-
grade). It consists of grinding the raw materials, mixing them
intimately in certain proportion depending upon their purity and
composition.
2. Graded Fine Aggregates
Particles smaller than 4.75mm size is called fine aggregates. Natural
sand is generally used as fine aggregate. In this experimental work
replacement of river sand by quarry waste (fineness modulus of
crushed sand equal to 3.2) conforming to grading Zone III of IS – 383
– 1970 was used as fine aggregates.
3. Graded Coarse Aggregate
Locally available well graded granite aggregates of normal size
greater than 4.75 mm and less than 16mm having fineness modulus
of 2.72 was used as coarse aggregates.
4. Water
 Potable water has been used for casting concrete specimens. The
water is free from oils, acids, and alkalis and has a water-soluble
Chloride content of 140 mg/lit. As per IS 456 – 2000, the permissible
limit for chloride is 500 mg/lit for reinforced concrete; hence the
amount of chloride present is very less than the permissible limit.
5. Bacteria
Bacillus sphaericus is an obligate aerobe bacterium used as a larvicide
for mosquito control. It forms spherical endospores. Bacillus
sphericum is a gram positive bacterium, with rod shaped cells that
form chains-Medium-sized, smooth colonies with an entire margin
and also Rod-shaped cells.

B. Methods
1. Mix Proportioning
The quality of concrete mainly depends upon the proportioning of its
constituents materials. The mix proportioning mainly influences the
permeability of concrete and cause cracks. Design mix is more
appropriate to know the exact behaviour of cracks rather than
nominal mix. In this experiment the concrete used is 20Mpa having
mix proportion of 1:1.27:2.89 with water cement ratio 0.45.
2. Mix Design
The aim of studying the various properties of materials of concrete,
plastic concrete and hardened concrete is to design a concrete mix
for particular strength. Design of concrete mix needs complete
knowledge of the various properties of the constituent material, the
implications in place of change on the conditions at site, the impact
of the properties of plastic concrete on the hardened concrete and
the complicated interrelationship between the variables. Mix design
can be defined as the process of selecting suitable ingredients of
concrete and determining their relative proportions with the object
 of producing concrete of certain minimum strength and durability as
economically as possible. The mix design procedure is explained in
the following section.
3. Indian Standard Method Design Stipulations
o Concrete grade: M25
o Exposure: Mild
o Quality control: Fair
o Size of aggregate: 20 mm
o Degree of workability: 0.9
o Cement used: OPC 53 grade cement
o Sand grading zone: III

4. Preparation of Bacteria
Luria Berta-powder form (6.75gms)+500ml of distilled water+
peptone(3gms)+yeast extract(1.5gms)+Beef extract(1.5gms) +sodium
chloride (3gms/100ml) +1Loop of Bacteria (gel medium) = Incubator
37⁰C.

 Conclusions
Introducing the bacteria into the concrete makes it very beneficial it
improves the property of the concrete which is more than the
conventional concrete. Bacteria repair the cracks in concrete by
producing the calcium carbonate crystal which block the cracks and
repair it. Many researchers done their work on the self-healing
nature of concrete and they had found the following result that
bacteria improves the property of conventional concrete such as
increase in 13.75% strength increased in 3 days, 14.28% in 7 days and
18.35% in 28 days. The development of calcium carbonate crystal
Decreases the water permeability by decreasing the width of cracks
from 0.5 mm to 0.35 mm. Compressive strength was increases by
 30.76% in 3 days, 46.15% in 7 days and 32.21% in 28 days and in
mathematical modal it was found that the bacterial concrete shows
the better value of stress and strain as compared to controlled
concrete for the high strength grade of concrete. According to De
Muynck Et al. the regular inspection for the concrete will be less need
due to use of self-healing material used in the concrete. In a
publication wiktor and jonkers Et al. quantified the cracks healing
capacity of the concrete containing LWA (light weight aggregate)
Encapsulation self – healing agent. They observe that the width of the
cracks was less than 0.46 mm for bacteria- based specimens. From
the capillary water suction test it was found that the bacterial
concrete shows the lower values of relative capillary index as
compare to the uerolytic mixed culture and from the gas permeability
tests it was found that the permeability decreases in bacterial
concrete as compare to the conventional concrete.

 DISCUSSION AND FUTURE SCOPE

Bacteria are added with the following:
1. Urea CaCl2
2. Buffer -solution (phosphate buffer)
Bacteria will not survive in water. So it cannot be mixed with water
and it was found out in the Research when the bacteria mixed with
Buffer - solution give better results. Even it will not change the pH
value when added with acid (or) alkali is added to it. The bacteria will
be mixed in different ratios in the specimen concretes for testing and
Research. The cost of bacterial concrete when compared to
conventional concrete is more or less the same which will not require
any rehabilitation work which is costlier for rectification of crack after
15 years, but this self-healing concrete will help in regaining of
 strength and healing of cracks automatically without any human
intervention.

 REFERCENCES
1. V. Krishnan et al. (2001) publish general about self-healing
concrete
2. Use of bacteria to repair cracks in concrete by Kim Van Tittelboom
a, Nele De Belie a,*, Willem De Muyncka, b, Willy Verstraete b., 2008.
3. N. Chahal and R.Siddique (2008)
4. Gollapudi et al., 1995; Stocks-Fischer et al., 1999; Bachmeier et al.,
2002; Dick et al., 2006; Rodriguez- Navarro et al., 2003.
5. Rafat Siddique, Navneet Kaur Chahal, “Effect of ureolytic bacteria
on concrete properties”, Construction and Building Materials 25
(2011) 3791–3801.
6. Abo-El-Enein, Ali, Fatma Talkhan, Abdel-Gawwad, “Application of
microbial biocementation to improve the physico-mechanica
properties of cement mortar”, Housing and Building National
Research Center (2013).
7. H.M. Jonkers, A. Thijssen, O. Copuroglu, E. Schlangen, Application
of bacteria as self-healing agent for the development of sustainable
concrete, Proceedings of the 1st International Conference on
BioGeoCivil Engineering, 23–25 June 2008, Delft, The Netherlands.
8. K. Santhosh, S.K. Ramachandran, V. Ramakrishnan, S.S. Bang,
Remediation of concrete using microorganisms, American Concrete
Institute Materials Journal 98 (2001) 3–9.
9. J.L. Day, V. Ramakrishnan, S.S. Bang, Microbiologically induced
sealant for concrete crack remediation, 16th Engineering Mechanics
Conference, 16–18 July 2003, Seattle, Washington.
10.S.S. Bang, J.K. Galinat, V. Ramakrishnan, Calcite precipitation
induced by polyurethane- immobilized Bacillus pasteurii, Enzyme and
Microbial Technology 28 (4) (2001) 404–409.
11. J. Dick, W. De Windt, B. De Graef, H. Saveyn, P. Van der Meeren,
N. De Belie, W. Verstraete, Bio-deposition of a calcium carbonate
layer on degraded limestone by Bacillus species, Biodegradation V17
(4) (2006) 357–367.
12. Reinhardt, H.-W.; Jooss, M. Permeability and self-healing of
cracked concrete as a function of temperature and crack width. Cem.
Concr. Res. 2003, 33, 981–985.

13. K. Pappupreethi, A. Rajisha and P. Magudeaswaran (2017) study

about self-healing concrete.

14. P. Ingle, M. Shrestha, R. Potdar (2017) publishes general about

self-healing concrete.