A BIO-BASED RHEOLOGY MODIFYING AGENT INSPIRED FROM NATURE

Year 2019, Volume: 20 Issue: 3, 252 - 260, 26.09.2019

Mahzad Azima Zeynep Başaran Bundur

https://doi.org/10.18038/estubtda.624444

Abstract

Interaction of microorganisms and building materials, particularly with
concrete and stone, were a main topic of interest for many researchers.
Initially, studies focused on degradation of concrete by
organic acids, produced by microbial acidification such as microbial induced
corrosion. This was followed by prevention of microorganisms fouling on building
materials. However, the interaction of microorganisms with materials is not
necessarily negative. Recent research in the field shows that microorganisms
can have positive effects on concrete and stone, such as in biological cleaning
and biocalcification, which resulted with stronger and more durable materials.
Further, studies revealed that it was possible to develop smart-cement based
materials that could self-heal microorganisms by leveraging metabolic activity
of microorganisms. Through the development of this so-called smart bio-based
mortar, it became possible to improve the fresh state performance of the mix.
This study focusses on design of a cement-based mortar with improved
rheological properties with use of Bacillus
megaterium (B. megaterium) and
Bacillus subtilis (B. subtilis) cells. The bacterial cells were directly
incorporated to the mix water and influence of cells on viscosity and yield
strength was evaluated by rheological tests. In addition, the influence of
bacteria dosage, water to cement ratio (w/c), use of superplasticizers and fly
ash on performance of biological VMA were investigated. Our results showed that
the apparent viscosity and yield stress of the cement-paste mix were increased
with the addition of the microorganisms. Moreover, B. megaterium cells were found to be compatible with both fly ash
and superplasticizers however B. subtilis
were only be able to increase the viscosity when they were incorporated with
superplasticizers.

Keywords

Rheology, Microorganisms, Viscosity Modifying Agent (VMA), Superplasticizers, Fly ash

Supporting Institution

This research was conducted by financial assistance of the Scientific and Technical Research Council (TUBITAK) of Turkey

Project Number

Project: MAG-116M183.

Thanks

The authors gratefully acknowledge Şeyma Gürel for her contribution to experimental work. The authors also acknowledge BASF for providing the required chemical admixtures.

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