Microbes: A Remedy for Micro Cracks of Concrete

Crack formation is a very common phenomenon in concrete structures, which allows the entry of water and different type of chemicals into the concrete through the cracks and decreases their durability, strength and, which also affect the reinforcement when it comes in contact with water, CO2 and other chemicals. For repairing the cracks developed in the concrete, it requires regular maintenance and special type of treatment which will be very expansive. To overcome this problem autonomous self-healing mechanism is introduced in the concrete cracks which helps to repair the cracks by producing calcium carbonate crystals that fills the micro cracks and pores in the concrete. During the present investigation Bacillus megaterium is identified for alkaline environment based on their survival.