Development of self-healing biocement

Spencer, Christine ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3432-4244 and Sass, Henrik ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8740-4224 2019. Development of self-healing biocement. Presented at: 8th Congress of European Microbiologists (FEMS2019), Glasgow, 07 - 11 Jul 2019. -.

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Abstract

Background: Microbially induced calcium carbonate precipitation (MICP) has been attracting growing interest in respect of its potential use for ground improvement by the process of biocementation. Recent studies have demonstrated the potential of MICP to enable self-healing, through the injection of nutrients and precursor chemicals into degraded biocement. Objectives: The focus of this three-year research project will be to develop a truly autonomous self-healing process, by facilitating the supply of nutrients and precursor chemicals from within the biocement matrix, to improve the durability and sustainability of geotechnical structures. Methods: The potential of carrier materials for the effective immobilisation and release of the nutrients and precursor chemicals required for MICP has been explored. A preliminary study has subsequently been undertaken utilising expanded perlite, within a biocement produced using Sporosarcina ureae. Calcium production during the biocementation process has been determined using ICP-OES. Results: This paper presents the results from preliminary investigations. Results obtained demonstrate that diatomaceous earth, expanded perlite and natural fibres such as jute have the potential to be utilised for the immobilisation and supply of the required nutrients and precursor chemicals to enable MICP. This combined with the proven spore forming ability of Sporosarcina ureae, indicates that in principal autonomous self-healing of biocement can be achieved.

Item Type:	Conference or Workshop Item (Poster)
Date Type:	Published Online
Status:	Published
Schools:	Earth and Environmental Sciences Engineering
Funders:	Society for Applied Microbiology
Date of Acceptance:	28 February 2019
Last Modified:	04 Jan 2023 02:33
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/124199

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