Sustainable Concrete Restoration Using Microbial-Induced Carbonate Precipitation Technology: Insights from Laboratory and Field Applications

Authors

  • Hazlami Fikri Basri Department of Water and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 81310 UTM Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
  • Devithera Saravanan Department of Water and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 81310 UTM Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
  • Syafiqah Mohd Sani Department of Water and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 81310 UTM Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
  • Armstrong Ighodalo Omoregie Centre for Borneo Regionalism and Conservation, University of Technology Sarawak, No. 1 Jalan University, 96000 Sibu, Sarawak, Malaysia
  • Adharsh Rajasekar Laboratory of Meteorological Disaster, Ministry of Education (KLME)/ Joint International Research Laboratory of Climate and Environmental Change (ILCEC)/Collaborative Innovation Centre on Forecast and Evaluation of Meteorological Disasters (CIC-FEMD), Nanjing University of Information Science &Technology, Nanjing, 210044, China
  • Siti Munira Jamil Centre of Degree and Foundation Studies, School of Professional and Continuing Education (SPACE), Level 4 & 5, Block T05, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 81310 UTM Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
  • Shafiq Ishak Department of Structure Materials, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 81310 UTM Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
  • Tariq Ouahbi Université Le Havre Normandie, Normandie Université, LOMC, UMR 6294 CNRS, 53 rue de Prony, 76058 Le Havre Cedex, France

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.11113/mjfas.v21n6.4746

Keywords:

Microbially-Induced Calcium Carbonate Precipitation, Sporosarcina pasteurii, Concrete Crack Repair, Water Absorption Rate, Structural Restoration

Abstract

Concrete structures are vulnerable to cracking from mechanical, chemical, and environmental stresses, which compromise durability and increase maintenance costs. Conventional repair methods, such as epoxy injection and cementitious grouting, often depend on non-renewable materials and contribute to environmental waste. This study explores Microbially Induced Calcium Carbonate Precipitation (MICP) using Sporosarcina pasteurii as a sustainable approach for repairing cracks in cement-based materials. Laboratory experiments were conducted on mortar samples with 1.0 mm predefined cracks, while in-situ trials were performed on cracked cement surfaces at UTMSPACE. Treated samples recovered up to 88.1% of their original tensile strength (19.59 kN compared to 22.24 kN for controls), confirming the structural reinforcement potential of MICP. SEM–EDX analysis showed uniform calcium carbonate deposition along the crack surfaces, while FTIR spectroscopy confirmed biomolecular signatures linked to calcite formation. Water absorption tests revealed a significant reduction in permeability, with secondary absorption rates decreasing from 0.0206 mm/√s to 0.0009 mm/√s, indicating enhanced durability. Field application validated the practicality of the method, achieving visible crack sealing and mineral deposition within one working day per treated area. These results highlight MICP as a viable, eco-friendly alternative to conventional repair strategies, offering both mechanical and environmental benefits. The findings support the integration of MICP into sustainable infrastructure maintenance practices.

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Published

20-12-2025

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Vol. 21 No. 6 (2025): November-December

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