In situ restoration of the surface defects on cement-based materials by bacteria mineralization with spraying method

Abstract

Defects of cement-based materials can be restored by microbial carbonate precipitation, but in order to accelerate the completion of the mineralization process, previous studies all adopt the approach of immersion in bacterial liquid, which can not be applied for in situ repair. We investigated micro-environment, basophil-domestication of microorganism and effective absorption of micro-organisms by cement-based materials, and adopted spray technology to conduct in situ repairs on the defects on the surface of cement-based materials and enhance the repair process operability. Through microbial carbonate precipitation in the defects by spraying bacteria liquid, 100 μm thickness of calcium carbonate film can be deposited on sample surface and in defects holes’ microenvironment within 3 to 5 days. The capillary water absorption coefficient of specimen surface is 77% lower than the value before repair. The repairing effect is remarkable which makes it possible to conduct on-site repairs.

Keywords

calcite / bacteria / mineralization / in situ restoration / spray

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