Bio-Cementation: An Eco-Friendly Solution to Reduce the Water Infiltrations in Hidrotechnical Concrete Elements

Abstract

Abstract The bio-cementation repairing technique consists in using a bio product which precipitates in a porous environment and thus, filling the internal voids. In the construction industry, there is a series of applications for this repairing technology, mainly for cementitious materials. In this respect, the calcium carbonate-based materials are considered to be the most suitable bio products since they are compatible with a wide range of concrete mixes. This paper presents a method of manufacturing a calcium carbonate bio product, using a device designed and manufactured exclusively for this experimental work. In order to design a bio product with an unique set of properties, various preliminary samples, obtained by varying the material quantities, the preparation time and working temperatures, have been tested. The bio product analyzed in this work may increase the impermeability of mortar and concrete elements, by continuous sealing of microcracks that can occur throughout the life cycle of the members. Thus, since this bio product was meant to be a component of the mortar/concrete mixture, the mechanical properties were determined by testing several mortar samples made with different cement-bio product ratios.