International Journal of Advanced Engineering Research and Technology (IJAERT) 138

Volume 4 Issue 4, April 2016, ISSN No.: 2348 8190

EXPERIMENTAL STUDY ON THE BEHAVIOUR OF SELF

HEALING CONCRETE BY USING BACILLUS SUBTILIS
1

Thivya.J , Chandrasekaren.M

Assistant Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, University College of Engineering-Dindigul, Tamilnadu

PG Student (Structural Engineering), Department of Civil Engineering, Anna University Regional Campus-Madurai,
Tamilnadu

Abstract
Concrete is the most critical element applied in public
buildings and is often difficult to service, yet requires
lengthy service periods. Recent research has shown that
specific species of bacteria can actually be useful as a
tool to repair cracks in already existing concrete
structures. This new concrete, that is equipped to repair
itself, presents a potentially enormous lengthening in
service-life of public buildings and also considerably
reduces the maintenance costs. The objective of the
present investigation is to study the potential application
of bacterial species i.e. Bacillus subtilis JC3 to improve
the strength of cement concrete. The aim of this research
project is the development of a new type of concrete in
which integrated bacteria promote self-healing of cracks.
Various test such as compressive strength test, split
tensile strength test and flexural strength test will be
carried out. The strength properties will be compared
with the conventional concrete after the curing period of
7, 14 and 28 days. The grade of concrete used in this
project is M25. The bacteria Bacillus Subtilis in solution
form is added to the concrete by 3 ml, 6 ml and 9 ml per
litre of water.
Keywords: Bacteria, Bacillus subtilis JC3, Self-Healing.

1. INTRODUCTION
In concrete, cracking is a common phenomenon due to
relatively low tensile strength. Without immediate and
proper treatment, cracks tend to expand further and
eventually require costly repair techniques. Durability
of concrete is also impaired by these cracks, since they
provide an easy path for the transport of liquids and
gases that potentially contain harmful substances
leading to corrosion of reinforcement. Cracks are
therefore precursors to structural failure. For crack
repair, a variety of techniques are available but
traditional repair systems have a number of
disadvantageous aspects such as differential thermal
expansion coefficient compared to concrete and
environmental hazards. Therefore, bacterial induced
calcium carbonate precipitation has been proposed as
an environmental friendly crack repair technique.
Humans have the ability to precipitate minerals in the
form of bones and teeth continuously. This ability is

not only confined to human beings, even certain

bacteria can continuously precipitate calcium carbonate
(CaCo3).This phenomenon is called microbiologically
induced calcite precipitation. Concrete is a composite
building material comprised of aggregate and binder
(cement).Concrete finds good use in all types of
building construction .Fly ash and silica fume can be
used in concrete mix because of its light weight and
high thermal insulation. Durability of concrete is
another major aspect of concern. There are different
methods which would thereby improve the concrete
durability and these include e (a) Chemical methods :
By applying epoxy coating which there by reduces
steel siloxane can be used as these materials combine
with siliceous portions of cement and aggregates (b)
Physical methods : use of Pozzolans like silica fume,
fly ash can improve the concrete durability by
enhancing impermeability and chemical durability.
Sulphate resistance in concrete can be improved by
incorporating supplementary cementing materials.
Permeability is one of the most important properties of
durability .Use of supplementary cementing materials
such as fly ash and silica fume improve the
microstructure of the concrete matrix resulting in the
impermeability of concrete. Once impermeability in
enhance, concrete becomes more durable against
sulphate resistance and resistance due to chemicals,
etc. For that reason, it enhances the chemical
durability. (c) Development of Self-healing bacterial
concrete: A novel technique for the remediation of
damaged structural formations has been developed by
employing a selective bacterial plugging process, in
which metabolic activities promote precipitation of
calcium carbonate in the form of calcite. Bacteria can
affect the carbonate precipitation both through local
geochemical conditions and by serving as potential,
2+
nucleation sites for mineral formation. Ca is one of
the most adundant cations while carbonate ions
32
(HCO and CO 3) are some of the some of the most
abundant anions in most subsurface waters. In order to
produce the most mineral mass, utilizing elements
already present in subsurface is a more efficient
method than adding another chemical .a variety of ions
can non-specially get deposited on bacterial cell
surface at the nucleation site.

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International Journal of Advanced Engineering Research and Technology (IJAERT) 139

Volume 4 Issue 4, April 2016, ISSN No.: 2348 8190

2. BACILLUS SUBTILIS JC3

Researchers with different bacteria proposed different
bacterial concretes. The various bacteria used in the
concrete are Bacillus pasteurii, Bacillus sphaericus,
E.coli etc. In the present study an attempt was made by
using the bacteria Bacillus subtilis strain no. JC3. The
main advantage of embedding bacteria in the concrete is
that it can constantly precipitate calcite. This
phenomenon is called microbiologically induced calcite
precipitation (MICP). Calcium carbonate precipitation, a
widespread phenomenon among bacteria, has been
investigated due to its wide range of scientific and
technological implications. Bacillus subtilis JC3 is a
laboratory cultured soil bacterium and its effect on the
strength and durability is studied here. Bacillus subtilis
JC3 researchers with different bacteria proposed
different bacterial concretes. The various bacteria used
in the concrete are Bacillus pasteurii, Bacillus
sphaericus, E.coli etc. In the present study an attempt
was made by using the bacteria Bacillus subtilis strain
no. JC3. Calcium carbonate precipitation, a widespread
phenomenon among bacteria, has been investigated due
to its wide range of scientific and technological
implications. Bacillus subtilis JC3 is a laboratory
cultured soil bacterium and its effect on the strength and
durability is studied here. Micro organisms (cell surface
2+
charge is negative) draw cations including Ca from the
environment to deposit on the cell surface. The
following equations summarize the role of bacterial cell
as a nucleation site.
2+
2+
Ca + Cell
-----> Cell- Ca
Cell- Ca

2+

2-

+CO3

3.4. Water
Locally available potable water conforming to IS 456 is
used.
3.5. Microorganisms
In this study Bacteria Bacillus Subtilis is used. The
micro-organism used for manufacturing of microbial
concrete should be able to possess long term effective
crack sealing mechanism during its lifetime
serviceability. The principle behind bacterial crack
healing mechanism is that the bacteria should be able to
transform soluble organic nutrients into insoluble
inorganic calcite crystals which seals the cracks. For
effective crack healing, both bacteria and nutrients
incorporated into concrete should not disturb the
integrity of cement sand matrix and also should not
negatively affect other important fresh and hardened
properties of concrete. Only spore forming gram positive
strain bacteria can survive in high pH environment of
concrete sustaining various stresses.

Figure 3.1 Bacillus Subtilis

Table 3.1 Properties of Bacteria

-----> Cell-CaCO3

3. MATERIAL
PROPERTIES
DESCRIPTION

AND

3.1. Cement
Ordinary Portland cement of 53 grade available in local
market is used in the investigation. The cement used has
been tested for various properties as per IS: 4031-1988
and found to be confirming to various specifications of
IS: 12269-1987 having specific gravity of 3.16.
3.2. Fine Aggregate
Locally available clean, well-graded, natural river sand
having fineness modulus of 2.59 conforming to IS 3831970 was used as fine aggregate.
3.3. Coarse Aggregate
Crushed granite angular aggregate of size 20 mm
nominal size from local source with specific gravity of
2.67 was used as coarse aggregate.

Type

Gram Positive

Phase

Liquid

pH

7-8

Temperature

Room Temperature

3.6. Mix Design

The mix proportion for ordinary grade concrete (M25) is
designed using IS: 10262-1982. Materials required for 1
cubic meter of concrete in ordinary grade concrete is:
Mix Proportion 1: 1.713: 2.64: 0.45

4. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

4.1. Compressive Strength
Compressive strength is most important property of the
hardened concrete. The concrete cubes were casted,
cured and tested accordance with the IS standard and 7,
14, & 28 days.

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International Journal of Advanced Engineering Research and Technology (IJAERT) 140

Volume 4 Issue 4, April 2016, ISSN No.: 2348 8190

4.2. Split-Tensile Strength

Table 4.1 Compressive Strength of Concrete

th

14

PERCENTAGE

In
2
N/mm

In
2
N/mm

In
2
N/mm

CONVENTIONAL

16.22

20.66

25.50

28

After curing of cylinders for respective days it was

placed in testing machine having a maximum capacity
of 1000 KN. The load is applied on the cylinder
specimens. The cylinder specimen was failed at
ultimate load which was noted from dial gauge reading.
From the result, it was found that the split tensile
strength was increased at addition of 0.9% of bacteria
when compared to the conventional mix.

th

7th

DAY

0.3%

18.67

21.80

26.67

0.6%

19.78

22.44

27.19

0.9%

21.11

23.11

27.87

Table 4.2 Split-Tensile Strength of concrete

th

th

7th

14

In
2
N/mm

In
2
N/mm

CONVENTIONAL

2.76

3.60

3.82

0.3%

2.86

3.78

4.08

0.6%

2.93

3.94

4.36

0.9%

3.14

4.12

4.54

DAY
PERCENTAGE

28

In
2
N/mm

Figure 4.1 Compressive Strength of Concrete

30
25
20
15
10
5
0

7 Days
14 Days

Based on the result, the highest split tensile strength

value is 4.54Mpa which is obtained at 28 days.

Tensile Strength of Concrete

in N/mm 2

Compressive Strength of Concrete

2inN/mm

Compressive strength result of concrete are listed in

table. The highest compressive strength value is
27.87Mpa which is obtained at 28 days by addition of
0.9% of bacteria by weight of concrete when compared
to the conventional mix. Fig 4.1 shows that the
compressive strength of concrete for various mixes.
Figure was drawn between compressive strength and
curing periods for the various mixes.

5
4.5
4
3.5
3
2.5
2
1.5
1
0.5
0

28 Days

Addition of Bacteria to water % per litre

Figure 4.2 Chat for compressive strength

Addition of Bacteria to water % per litre

Figure 4.3 Chat for split tensile strength

Fig 4.3 shows that the split tensile strength of concrete
for various mixes.
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International Journal of Advanced Engineering Research and Technology (IJAERT) 141

Volume 4 Issue 4, April 2016, ISSN No.: 2348 8190

Flexural Strength of Concrete

2inN/mm

4.6

Figure 4.4 Split-Tensile Strength of concrete

4.4
4.2
4
3.8
3.6
3.4
28 Days

Addition of Bacteria to water % per litre

4.3. Flexural Strength of concrete

Figure 4.5 Chat for flexural strength

After curing of prism specimens, which are placed in

testing machine having a maximum capacity of 100 KN.
The load is applied on the prism specimens. The
specimen is failed at ultimate load which is noted from
dial gauge bacterial concrete which is compared to the
conventional reading.
Table 4.3 Flexural Strength of concrete

DAY

28

TH

PERCENTAGE

In N/mm

3.88

0.3 %

4.07

0.6 %

4.24

0.9 %

4.54

Figure 4.6 Flexural Strength of concrete

5. CONCLUSION

From the result flexural strength is increased at addition

of 0.9% of bacterial concrete. Flexural strength is the
property of the hardened concrete. The concrete prisms
were cast, cured and tested accordance with the IS
standard for 28 days flexural strength result of concrete
are listed in table 3.3. Based on the result, the highest
flexural strength value is 4.54Mpa which is obtained at
28 days. Fig 4.5 shows that the flexural strength of
concrete for various mixes.

Experimental investigations were conducted to

determine the Characteristics and Strength of concrete
by addition of bacteria with water. Concrete specimens
were casted and tested to determine the Compressive
strength, Split tensile strength and Flexural strength.
Based on the test results it was inferred, which
percentage gave better results than the conventional
concrete with respect to 7, 14 and 28 days Compressive
strength, Split tensile strength and Flexural strength
when added bacteria.

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International Journal of Advanced Engineering Research and Technology (IJAERT) 142

Volume 4 Issue 4, April 2016, ISSN No.: 2348 8190

According to the comparative studies undertaken

it is clear that with 0.6% and 0.9% addition of
bacteria a maximum compressive strength of
27.87 and 27.19 N/mm2 which is more than the
conventional concrete was obtained. The other
results showed a progressive increase for each
percentage.
Further increment of concentration of Bacillus
Subtilis to the percentages could further increase
the strength of concrete.
Microbial Concrete technology have proved to
be better than conventional technologies because
of its eco-friendly nature, self healing abilities
and very convenient for usage.
The optimum percentage obtained is 0.9%.

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