Treatment of fractured concrete via microbially induced carbonate precipitation : from micro-scale characteristics to macro-scale behaviour

Turner, Ronald and Castro, Gloria M. and Minto, James and El Mountassir, Grainne and Lunn, Rebecca J. (2023) Treatment of fractured concrete via microbially induced carbonate precipitation : from micro-scale characteristics to macro-scale behaviour. Construction and Building Materials, 384. 131467. ISSN 0950-0618 (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2023.131467)

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Abstract

The development of techniques for concrete repair will reduce environmental impacts associated with concrete usage by extending the lifespan of existing structures. This study investigates microbially induced carbonate precipitation (MICP) for treating fractured concrete. Our results demonstrate the excellent penetrability of MICP with precipitates well-distributed along core length. Some individual treatment cycles resulted in ~one order of magnitude reduction in core permeability. Treatment efficiency is shown to be dependent on fracture network characteristics, i.e. number of fractures, fracture orientation, initial hydraulic aperture. Furthermore, bridging of precipitates across fracture surfaces resulted in a recovery of 26-50% of initial tensile strength.

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