Effect of dolomite & glass fiber on properties of self-healing concrete

Abstract

Self-healing concrete has the potential to address the issue of concrete constructions degrading prematurely before their intended lifespan ends. Concrete remains a primary material utilized in the construction sector, encompassing the foundations of buildings, the frameworks of bridges, and subterranean parking facilities. Conventional concrete possesses a deficiency; it is prone to cracking under tensile stress. Bio-concrete has the potential to minimize the costs of maintenance and increase the service life of concrete structures if certain upgrades are incorporated into the material. It presents a viable remedy to the deficiencies of conventional cement-concrete construction and have the capacity to transform our infrastructure development and maintenance. In the present study, dolomite, which is a mineral that is made up of calcium magnesium carbonate, is added to the cement mixture in varying proportions (5 %, 10 %, and 15 % by weight). In addition, Bacillus subtilis bacteria are introduced in different amounts (1 %, 2 %, and 3 %) in order to facilitate the process of self-healing. Additionally, in order to further improve the qualities of the concrete, 5 % glass fiber in the materials was also added. At the ages of three, seven, and twenty-eight days, the compressive strength and split tensile strength of the material were evaluated and analyzed. The incorporation of microorganisms into concrete results in an increase in compressive strength of up to 20.5 % and an increase in split tensile strength of up to 73.29 % over the original specification.