Self healing of microcracks in linings of irrigation canal using coir fibre reinforced bio-concrete

Abstract

Development of cracks in the concrete leads to mitigation of the strength and durability of the concrete structures. This paper deals with the application of self-healing concrete for an irrigation canal in a village near Erode. The self-healing of concrete is a result of calcite precipitation by bacteria (Bacillus Megaterium MTCC 3353) mixed with natural fibres. Here, the compressed soil made irrigation canal which has been used by the farmers for agricultural purpose over a century was lined with the self-healing concrete in order to reduce the evaporation and infiltration of water into the soil thereby improving and increasing the functionality yield of the canal. A controlled crack width is assured by means of the fibres used which substantially increase the tensile capacity of the concrete. The properties of the fibre reinforced bio-concrete was evaluated by conducting flexural and compression tests along with study of amount of crack-healing in concrete with and without the use of bacteria.