Self-Healing Concrete
Self-Healing Concrete
technology application

Self-Healing Concrete

1
domains
0
stories
4
SDGs
updatedAug 31, 2023
image

Hubert @ stock.adobe.com

To solve concrete's susceptibility to corrosion, limestone-producing bacteria can be added to the mixture, which autonomously covers cracks when in contact with oxygen and water.
To solve concrete's susceptibility to corrosion, limestone-producing bacteria can be added to the mixture, which autonomously covers cracks when in contact with oxygen and water.

Adding natural healing agents into the concrete mixture makes it possible to create self-repairing cementitious construction materials, solving the concrete's susceptibility to corrosion. This can be achieved by combining Bacillus spores and calcium lactate nutrients, which together possess self-healing capacities. Since concrete's pH has a high value, only this kind of alkaliphilic bacteria can survive and remain dormant for years without needing food or oxygen.

This limestone-producing bacteria gets activated when in contact with water and oxygen, so when a crack appears in the concrete, they multiply and close the split in a few weeks. This could be applied in underground containers for hazardous waste, for instance, but also to any concrete structure in order to reduce maintenance costs and improve safety.

Related Content

6 organizations
1 technology domains
3 industries
  • Construction
  • Environment & Resources
  • Defense & Security
8 topics
  • Adapting to Climate Change
  • Investments
  • Natural Resources
  • Sustainable Mobility
  • Urbanization
  • Waste Management and Circular Economy, Resource Efficiency
  • Construction
  • Green Economy
4 SDGs
  • 06 Clean water and Sanitation
  • 09 Industry, innovation and infrastructure
  • 11 Sustainable Cities and Communities
  • 12 Responsible Consumption and Production