Biotechnological Approach for Enhancing the Properties of Mortar Using Treated Wastewater. Issue 2 (10th April 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Saxena, Shekhar; Tembhurkar, Ajay R
• Is Part Of: Proceedings of ICE. Volume 172:Issue 2(2019:Apr.)
• Page Start: 1
• Page End: 10
• Publication Date: 2019-04-10
• Subjects: Sustainable engineering -- Periodicals; Sustainable buildings -- Periodicals; Construction industry -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; 628
• DOI: 10.1680/jensu.18.00050
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1478-4629

Abstract

Abstract : Remediation of pores and cracks to prevent ingress of moisture in cement mortar can be done through microbially induced precipitation of calcium carbonate using tap water as mixing water. However, limited research is available for doing this with wastewater. This paper reports on research using treated wastewater to develop a biotechnological mortar by inoculating calcium-carbonate-precipitating bacteria isolated from the waste medium. It resulted in an enhancement of 27% in compressive strength and 11% reduction in water absorption compared to a control mortar at 28 days. Advanced analysis with scanning electron microscopy, x-ray diffraction, rapid chloride permeability testing and ultrasonic pulse velocity was conducted to provide a deeper understanding of how the resulting wastewater 'bio-mortar' was improved.