Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Chapter 14
Production of Bacteria for Structural
Concrete
Varenyam Achal
Abstract This chapter reviews a novel, green and economical concrete based on
microbially induced calcium carbonate precipitation (MICP). Microbial or bac-
terial concrete is product of MICP, produced by ureolytic bacteria, requires much
less energy to produce. Such bacteria are abundant in nature in almost every
environment and can be reproduced at fast rate at low cost. Calcium carbonate
precipitated during the process of MICP might help building materials and
structures by improving compressive strength and impermeability, and ultimately
their durability. Harnessing this novel process of biogeochemistry may bring in
enormous economical benefits to construction industries and will open a new door
to the research in the arena of geotechnical and structural engineering. This chapter
critically reviews the production and mechanism of MICP. Further, a thorough
understanding of the research in the area of microbial-based cementitious mate-
rials, which lead to improving the durability of building materials and structures,
has been discussed.
14.1 Introduction
Everything comes with a price, an old saying; however, true even when we talk
about our modern civilization. Thanks (in one way) to cement, which builds
modern civilization, however at the cost of massive pollution to the health and
environment. On the other hand, the cement production is energy consuming and
environmentally unfriendly process as contributes about 7 % of global anthropo-
genic CO
2
emissions (Worrell et al.
2001
). It is true that we cannot replace cement
completely with other building material; however, there is high scope to reduce
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