Bacterial Self-Healing Concrete: A Review on the Role of Waste Materials in Sustainable Applications
Keywords:
Bacteria, Concrete, Waste Management, MineralizationAbstract
The integration of bacteria into concrete has emerged as a promising approach for developing sustainable self-healing construction materials. This review highlights the utilization of diverse bacterial strains capable of inducing biomineralization processes that enhance crack remediation and durability of concrete structures. A particular emphasis is placed on incorporating waste-derived materials, such as agricultural residues, industrial by-products, and recycled resources, as nutrient carriers and partial cement replacements, thereby reducing environmental impact. The synergy between bacterial activity and waste material utilization not only promotes autonomous crack healing but also improves microstructural densification, durability performance, and long-term service life of concrete. Recent advancements in microbial selection, carrier media, and mix design optimization are discussed alongside limitations, such as cost, long-term viability of bacteria, and field-scale applicability. The review concludes by identifying future directions toward scalable, eco-efficient self-healing concrete that contributes to circular economy principles and sustainable infrastructure development.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.24321/2393.8307.202505
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