LMS Technologies: Self-Healing Bio-Concrete

Self-Healing Bio-Concrete is an innovative building material that is stronger, denser and more resistant to adverse conditions.

Unlike standard concrete mixtures consisting of cement, aggregate and water, bioconcrete is filled with bacteria and fungal spores. They are able to survive in alkaline conditions and give the building material new properties. Fungi and bacteria become active when moisture begins to penetrate into the concrete. The microorganisms produce calcium (essentially the same as cement stone) as part of their vital activity. It fills the pores and cracks in the concrete, giving the structure the required strength parameters and extending its service life.

Several processes are available for the production of bioconcrete:

• Adding bacteria of the genus Bacillus. Bacteria are placed in the concrete mixture in biodegradable capsules with calcium lactate to provide them with nutrients. Once the capsule dissolves, the microorganisms come to life and in the process produce limestone that fills cracks in the concrete.
• The addition of spores of the fungus Trichoderma reesei. Without access to water and air, the fungi are at rest, but as soon as moisture and air enter the concrete structure through cracks, they begin to grow actively, producing calcium carbonate, which fills microcracks.

Recent studies show that the addition of bacterial strains increases the compressive strength of concrete block by 94%. The use of self-repairing concrete solves the problem of concrete structures failing in service.

Advantages:

• Resistance to the action of adverse natural factors.
• Reducing the time, labor and financial costs of routine and major repairs of buildings and structures.
• Prevention of damage to concrete structures during operation.

Self-restoring concrete is not yet widespread in the construction industry, because its cost is 2 times higher than conventional concrete mixes. But if you calculate the benefits in the subsequent operation of facilities built with bioconcrete, the benefits of this material become apparent. Specialists in the construction industry are confident that the future belongs to such materials.

Confirming its reputation as a reliable general contractor, LMS Group fulfills its obligations to the customers, who entrust us with the implementation of their projects.