AN INVESTIGATION ON THE USE OF BACILLUS SUBTILIS HU58 IN CEMENT MORTAR

Abstract

Literature studies reveal the fact that incorporating bacteria into cement matrix could generate the formation of precipitated product of calcium carbonate. In this work, a new type of microorganism Bacillus subtilis HU58 was used as mixing component in formulating mortar sample of Portland cement and the effectiveness of self-healing character after 1 year of curing time was observed. Results showed the consequence in the enhancement of both compressive and flexural strengths of bacteria-modified mortar while comparing to a controlled mortar: 60MPa>56MPa (in compression) and 11MPa >9MPa (in flexion). Furthermore, those pre-existing artificial cracks 1mm in width of the prismatic mortar 40x40x160mm filled up partially (self-healing) by mineral glue.