Self-healing evaluation of bacteria grouted light weight aggregate concrete containing rice husk ash and steel fibers

Abstract

Utilization of microbiologically induced calcite precipitation along with fiber composite have great influence on improving strength and durable properties of concrete. The concept of mechanical properties of grouted concrete added with bacteria, steel fibers (SF), rice husk ash (RHA) and light weight aggregate (LWA) has been focused on this work. In the fabrication of concrete specimens, concentration of bacteria, combination of steel fibers and LWA was placed in the formwork, and to fill the voids flowable grout was injected. The variables studied in this work are two different sizes of LWA viz., 10 mm and 12.5 mm with constant dosage of 2% hooked end steel fibers by volume of concrete, 10% RHA was used as cement replacement for preparation of grout and bacteria was incorporated in cement grout by direct application. The properties such as compressive strength (CS), compressive strength regain (CSR), crack width healing, impact strength for first crack and final failure, rate of healing was studied for pre-cracked specimens using visual and microscopic observation. In addition, microstructure was studied for grouted concrete without bacteria and with bacteria under immersed curing conditions. From the experimental results, performance of bacteria added grouted concrete properties such as CS, CSR, cracking healing capacity, and impact strength has improved with the addition of fibers.