Performance of Epoxy-Injection and Microorganism-Based Crack-Healing Techniques on Cracked Flexural Members
Abstract
:1. Introduction
2. Experimental Program
2.1. Material Properties and Mix Proportion
2.2. Mixing Casting and Specimens Sizes
2.3. Development of the Crack-Healing Solution
2.3.1. Sterilizing
2.3.2. Medium
2.3.3. Culturing
2.3.4. Balancing
- M1—Initial concentration of bacteria in broth (9 × 108 cell/mL)
- M2—Final concentration of bacteria in broth (1 × 105 cell/mL)
- V1—Volume of solution of M1 in mL
- V2—Final volume of solution used in the test (60 mL)
2.4. Testing Setup
2.5. Healing of Beams
2.5.1. Application of Crack-Healing Solution on Beam “TCHS-1”
2.5.2. Application of Silica Gel Plus Crack-Healing Solution on Beam “TCHS-2”
2.5.3. Application of Crack-Healing Solution with Cement Slurry on Beam “TCHS-3”
2.5.4. Application of Epoxy-Injection Method on Beam “TEIM”
3. Results and Discussion
3.1. Control Beam
3.2. Beam “TCHS-1”
3.3. Beam “TCHS-2”
3.4. Beam “TCHS-3”
3.5. Beam “TEIM”
4. Conclusions
- A crack-healing technique utilizing bacteria like Bacillus subtilis was developed. To ensure sufficient moisture, air, a feeding medium for bacterial metabolic activity, and the resulting precipitation of CaCO3, attention must be given when applying a solution to the crack in the existing structure.
- The cement constituents are not fatal/harmful to the Bacillus subtilis; however, there will be less growth when the bacterial solution is applied with cement slurry paste over the crack for healing.
- Glucose can be used as a growth supplement for bacteria instead of sodium gluconate.
- The performance of the crack-healing solution with and without silica gel is comparable to the epoxy-injection method. However, the application of the epoxy-injection method requires more skill and experience and the epoxy-injection method is costlier than the crack-healing solution.
- Adequate moisture for crack healing through bacteria is a must. An injection system with sealed protection may be used. The crack-healing solution may be injected and remain inside until the cure of the crack.
- A crack width of 0.3 mm is large enough to bring the beam into the non-linear zone, making complete recovery of stiffness after healing impossible; however, the effectiveness of the crack-healing solution up to this crack width is expected, and it will be more effective in case of cracks of a lesser width at the serviceability limit state. However, further study is recommended to confirm the effectiveness of the crack-healing solution for beams at the serviceability limit state.
- The crack-healing solution and epoxy-injection method were shown to be efficient in restoring load carrying capacity and reaching the serviceability limit condition; however, there was a little loss in stiffness, which may not be a concern for cracks healed at their initial stage.
Future Research Prospects
- Sodium gluconate should be investigated to check the amount of precipitation, instead of glucose. Calcium lactate may also be used instead of calcium nitrate when preparing crack-healing solutions.
- Other bacterial species, e.g., Bacillus cohnii and Bacillus pseudophermus may be considered to study their effects on healing.
Author Contributions
Funding
Data Availability Statement
Conflicts of Interest
References
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Cement (kg/m3) | Fine Aggregates (kg/m3) | Coarse Aggregates (kg/m3) | Viscosity Modifying Agent (VMA) (%) * | Water Cement (W/C) Ratio |
---|---|---|---|---|
329 | 660 | 1225 | 1.0 | 0.6 |
Compound | Composition |
---|---|
Peptone 5.0 from Meat | 5 g/L |
CaCl2 | 10 g/L |
NaCl | 5 g/L |
Yeast extract | 3 g/L |
Meat extract | 3.05 g/L |
Absorbance at 625 nm | Bacterial Cells/mL |
---|---|
0.08–0.10 | 1.5 × 108 |
0.14–0.17 | 3 × 108 |
0.27–0.31 | 6 × 108 |
0.38–0.42 | 9 × 108 |
0.51–0.55 | 12 × 108 |
0.67–0.70 | 15 × 108 |
0.74–0.77 | 18 × 108 |
Color | Clear |
---|---|
Specific gravity of mixed material (ASTM D1475) [29] | 1.05 kg/L |
Viscosity (ASTM D2196) [30] | 204 MPa·s |
Service temp. range | −20 °C to +60 °C |
Compressive strength (ASTM D695) [31] | >70 N/mm2 at 7 days |
Flexural strength (DIN EN ISO 178) [32] | >70 N/mm2 at 7 days |
Beam ID | Details (Application of Repair Technique) | Before Healing (kN) | After Healing (kN) | % Retained Load Capacity w.r.t Control | % Retained Load Capacity w.r.t Loading Capacity before Healing | Crack Width Healed (mm) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Control | Beam without any repair | 65 | - | - | - | - |
TCHS-1 | crack-healing solution | 68 | 66 | 101.54 | 97.06 | 0.3 |
TCHS-2 | Silica Gel Plus Crack-healing Solution | 66.86 | 57.51 | 88.48 | 84.57 | 0.3 |
TCHS-3 | Crack-healing Solution mixed with cement slurry | 65 | 57.2 | 88.00 | 84.12 | - |
TEIM | Epoxy-injection Method | 69.45 | 63.2 | 97.23 | 92.94 | 0.3 |
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Khan, S.U.; Ayub, T.; Khan, S. Performance of Epoxy-Injection and Microorganism-Based Crack-Healing Techniques on Cracked Flexural Members. Buildings 2023, 13, 2697. https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings13112697
Khan SU, Ayub T, Khan S. Performance of Epoxy-Injection and Microorganism-Based Crack-Healing Techniques on Cracked Flexural Members. Buildings. 2023; 13(11):2697. https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings13112697
Chicago/Turabian StyleKhan, Sadaqat Ullah, Tehmina Ayub, and Sadia Khan. 2023. "Performance of Epoxy-Injection and Microorganism-Based Crack-Healing Techniques on Cracked Flexural Members" Buildings 13, no. 11: 2697. https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings13112697