Microstructure and Strength Properties of Sustainable Concrete Using Effective Microorganisms as a Self-Curing Agent

Ruhal Pervez Memon, Ghasan Fahim Huseien (), Ali Taha Saleh, Sib K. Ghoshal (), Uroosa Memon, Mamdooh Alwetaishi, Omrane Benjeddou and Abdul Rahman Mohd Sam
Additional contact information
Ruhal Pervez Memon: Department Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering Science and Technology, Ziauddin University, Karachi 75000, Pakistan
Ghasan Fahim Huseien: Department of the Built Environment, School of Design and Environment, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117566, Singapore
Ali Taha Saleh: Department of Chemistry, College of Sciences, University of Misan, Amarah 62001, Iraq
Sib K. Ghoshal: Department of Physics and Laser Centre, AOMRG, Faculty of Science, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Skudai 81310, Johor, Malaysia
Uroosa Memon: Civil Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering, Science and Technology, Isra University, Hyderabad 2875302, India
Mamdooh Alwetaishi: Department of Civil Engineering, College of Engineering, Taif University, P.O. Box 11099, Taif 21944, Saudi Arabia
Omrane Benjeddou: Department of Civil Engineering, College of Engineering, Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University, Alkharj 16273, Saudi Arabia
Abdul Rahman Mohd Sam: UTM Construction Research Centre, Institute for Smart Infrastructure and Innovative Construction, School of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Johor Bahru 81310, Johor, Malaysia

Sustainability, 2022, vol. 14, issue 16, 1-32

Abstract: In practical applications, problems related to proper curing arise for inclined structural elements, especially in skyscrapers, wherein concrete is very thick. To overcome this problem, the implementation of self-curing technology using varieties of smart materials has become significant. Based on these factors, this study determined the impact of effective microorganisms (EMs) as a new self-curing agent on the microstructures and strength properties of sustainable concrete. Five concrete mixtures were prepared with various EM content (5, 10, 15, 20, and 25%) as water replacement under air-curing condition. The workability of the concretes was found to increase with the increase in EM contents from 0 to 25%. In addition, concrete designed with 10% of EM achieved the highest compressive strength (42 MPa) after 28 days of aging as opposed to the control specimen (35 MPa). The microstructures of the concrete made with 10% of EM revealed very a compact network, fewer voids, and formulation of dense C-S-H gel. Based on the results, the proposed EM may be implemented as a self-curing agent to achieve high-performance sustainable concretes beneficial for the construction sectors.

Keywords: self-curing concrete; EM; strength development; microstructures (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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