Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Chapter 15
Bacteria for Concrete Surface Treatment
Peihao Li and Wenjun Qu
Abstract Bacterial induced calcium carbonate deposition, i.e., biodeposition is a
widespread natural process, occurring under different conditions in the biosphere.
For the moment, biodeposition has been investigated extensively both in natural
processes and under laboratory conditions. Biodeposition has led to the exploration
in the field of construction materials and has been studied in detail with numerous
applications in civil engineering. Various mechanisms of bacterial induced
deposition have been proposed. Biodeposition can be influenced by the environ-
mental physicochemical conditions, and it is correlated with both the metabolic
activity and the cell surface structures of bacteria. Surface treatment of concrete
materials and structures by means of biodeposition, i.e., a bacterially deposited
carbonate layer presents a promising novel biotechnology for the enhancement or
improvement of durability of concrete materials and structures. Biodeposition
make bacterial concrete, a novel most important metabolic byproduct, can reme-
diate concrete structures. This chapter reviews the main mechanisms of the process
and literature on biodeposition carbonates as surface treatment agents for the
decrease in permeability of concrete materials and structures, bacterial induced
carbonates as a binder material, i.e., biocementation, have been added to concrete
for the improvement of compressive strength and the remediation of concrete
surface cracks. The chapter suggests potential applications of biodeposition as an
ecological and novel alternative to traditional techniques in subsurface remedia-
tion of concrete structures and accordingly enhancement in their service life.
Search WWH ::
Custom Search