Enhancement in properties of engineered cementitious composites by incorporation of bacteria cell walls

Abstract

This study proposes a novel approach to improving performance of Engineered Cementitious Composites (ECC) by utilizing bacterial cell walls (BCW). Key strategies include optimizing fiber distribution to achieve pseudo-strain hardening and controlling flowability through the incorporation of bacterial cell walls derived from Bacillus subtilis and Priestia megaterium. Laboratory investigations including flowability, compressive strength, tensile strength, flexural strength, electrical resistivity, and water absorption were conducted on ECC mixtures with and without BCW incorporation. The results indicated that incorporating bacterial cell walls led to reduced flowability, effectively mitigated bleeding and elevated the deformability factor in the ECC mixtures. Furthermore, the inclusion of BCW significantly improved ECC's compressive, tensile, and flexural strengths, accompanied by a substantial enhancement in strain capacity. In addition, BCW incorporation led to notable increases in electrical resistivity and reductions in the rate of water absorption, thereby highlighting the enhanced durability of ECC. This study underscores the potential of BCW as a promising additive for advancing the mechanical properties and durability of ECC.