Reducing Permeability of Concrete by Bacterial Mediation on Surface Using Treatment Gel

Bacterial carbonate precipitation has been turned into a promising technique in concrete technology. Using carbonate-producing bacteria in or on concrete has led to significant improvements in concrete strength and durability. The intention of this study is to investigate the improvement of concrete biological treatment providing a proper environment for bacteria cells applied on concrete surface. To do so, 30 concrete prisms and 27 concrete discs were treated with carbonate producing bacteria of Sporosarcina pasteurii concomitant with a treatment gel. These treated specimens were tested for water absorption and chloride permeability and results were compared with the control (not treated) concrete specimens. Chloride permeability of concrete discs were assessed by the accelerated method of rapid chloride permeability test (RCPT). The results indicated that surface of the biologically treated specimens are approximately 7% more resistant to ingress of water and also reduced the chloride penetration by more than 12%.