Analysis of Mitigating Concrete Cracks with Bacteria

Concrete is typically utilized by villages, cities and counties in Ohio for the construction of bridges. Throughout its life, concrete develops cracks in the surface. These cracks allow water into the voids. During the freeze thaw cycle of the winter, the water freezes and expands causing the size of the crack to expand. Larger cracks allow more water to enter the structure, which results either in larger cracks or additional cracking. This cycle continues until local failure occurs in the concrete, which can result in costly repairs. One potential way to address this issue is to introduce bacteria into the concrete mix. The concept is that when the bacteria is exposed to air, the bacteria precipitates a calcite into the concrete. This calcite fills the cracks and bonds to the concrete mitigating the negative impacts of concrete cracking. If this method is successful and cost-effective, this could provide local public agencies with an opportunity to reduce maintenance and repair activities and the associated costs. The goal of this research is to assess the feasibility and impact of incorporating bacteria into concrete mixes used on the local roadway system for extending service life. The objectives of this research are to: (1) Determine the best bacteria to use for local applications. (2) Determine the availability of bacteria to use for local applications. (3) Determine the affect the bacteria has on the strength of the concrete. (4) Determine the effectiveness of the bacteria at stopping or reducing hairline cracks in the concrete. (5) Determine the impact the bacteria has on the life expectancy of the concrete. (6) Evaluate the impact the incorporation of bacteria has on overall costs.

• Record URL:
  http://www.dot.state.oh.us/Divisions/Planning/SPR/Research/reportsandplans/_layouts/listform.aspx?PageType=4&ListId=%7B47F3581D%2DF21C%2D403B%2D9358%2DFEA0B008772B%7D&ID=700&ContentTypeID=0x0100BD006C89430C884FB603A74E63BB6849

Language

• English

Project

• Status: Active
• Funding: $221292
• Contract Numbers:

  34877

  136179

  112683

• Sponsor Organizations:

  Federal Highway Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Managing Organizations:

  Ohio Department of Transportation

  Research Program
  1980 West Broad Street
  Columbus, OH  United States  43223
• Project Managers:

  Fout, Vicky

• Performing Organizations:

  The Ohio State University

  2036 Neil Avenue
  Columbus, OH  United States  43210
• Principal Investigators:

  Burris, Lisa

• Start Date: 20201001
• Expected Completion Date: 20221201
• Actual Completion Date: 0

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Bacteria; Calcites; Concrete bridges; Cost effectiveness; Costs; Cracking of concrete pavements; Feasibility analysis; Freeze thaw durability; Maintenance; Mix design; Service life; Strength of materials
• Geographic Terms: Ohio
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Finance; Highways; Maintenance and Preservation; Materials; Pavements;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01750907
• Record Type: Research project
• Source Agency: Ohio Department of Transportation
• Contract Numbers: 34877, 136179, 112683
• Files: RIP, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Aug 31 2020 1:20PM