Self-Healing Concrete – A Conspectus

Abstract

The enormous growth in the population of the world and flourishing of the economy are some of the chief reasons for the growing demand in the field of construction. However, to satisfy these demands enormous amount of materials are required for the construction. The major building material outcomes as concrete. Due to the growing pace of the construction, the earth is gradually being transformed into the jungle of concrete. But concrete also deals with some limitations regarding strength, durability, sustainability and stability. The formation of cracks in concrete is a natural phenomenon but this formation of cracks can outcome as a big issue and can lead to defects such as fractures, ruptures and splits. This defects lead to the failure of the structures and also might end up in collapse. This led to the necessity to develop a new material which can overcome these problems and self-healing concrete was developed.  When the concrete is treated with bacteria such as Bacilli pseudofirmus and Sarconimapasteurii demonstrates an extraordinary result to the problems of cracks and ruptures. After the formation of the cracks and when the bacteria comes up in contact with the moisture, the process of healing starts and the cracks are filled due the formation of the limestone, this process generally takes a time span of about three-four weeks. So, succeeding the healing the strength and durability of the construction is regained.  Hence, due to the low cost and better strength properties, it shows a great alternative than the normal materials carried out into the practice.