Concrete is the most widely used building material in the world but, however, has a negative characteristic. Concrete is a product where cracks can occur. The larger cracks create a risk that reinforces rust. Cracks therefore have to be repaired, but this is expensive and the labor is intensive. There is research done in the Netherlands which is aimed at the possibilities of Self-Healing Concrete, using calcium carbonate producing bacteria. In order to make self-healing concrete,
Self-healing concrete is made by inducing alkaliphilic bacteria into the concrete. Because of the high pH-value of concrete, only alkaliphilic bacteria can survive in this mixture.
Applications Self-Healing Concrete:
this concrete is ideal for subsoil use, such as the storage of hazardous waste. These spots are difficult to repair and thus will no longer be repaired from outside.
Quote: "The project Self-Healing Concrete is part of the research into self-healing materials by TU Delft at the Delft Center for Materials (DCMat). Further cooperation with the Biotechnology section of the faculty of Applied Sciences and the South Dakota School of Mines in the United States. "
