Self-Healing Concrete Summary + Reader Response Draft 1

-

In the article, “The Self-healing Concrete That Can Fix Its Own Cracks”, Spinks (2015) narrated an innovation that Jonkers invented which was embedding self-activating bacteria into concrete to make it self-healing. He stated that the bacteria can exist for up to 200 years as long as particles exist for it to feed on, and also mentioned that the bacteria will start producing limestone to repair the cracks when water starts seeping into the cracks. He also noted that the self-healing concrete was unable to repair large cracks, and only capable in repairing cracks up to 0.8mm wide. According to Jonkers, a cubic meter of concrete cost €70, while the self-healing concrete cost €100. Nonetheless, Jonkers remarked that some countries with coastal communities or tropical regions with extreme rainfall are seeing the cost-benefit analysis of using the self-healing concrete. It was concluded by Jonkers that these tests were done in developing countries where they see profits in the future. 

While the article gave some information about the self-healing concrete, it should also mention the viability of it being used in construction of buildings.

Firstly, in Civil Engineering, there is an Indian Standard (IS) code that covers every aspect of civil engineering, and this is especially true for construction activities. In order to use the self-healing concrete, there is a need to mix the bacteria along with the concrete, and this comes an issue where mixed concrete with bacteria does not exist within the IS code. Without an IS code, it is harder to get the exact mixed for the best performance, and it also means there will be a lack of safety due to the possible weakening in performance. It will be better if the design for mix concrete with bacteria is included in the IS codes.

Secondly, the fact that the self-healing concrete activates with the existence of moisture and air helps it various ways. It helps reduces the permeability of the concrete, improves the durability of steel reinforced concrete, and also reduce corrosion of steel. Self-healing concrete caused certain reactions within the cement to form, and this caused the porosity to decrease which in turn reduces the permeability of the cement. With the lack of air and moisture, reinforced steel will not corrode as easily with the lack of oxygen which in turns strengthen the durability of the steel.

Thirdly, the cost of self-healing concrete is relatively high. This is mainly due to one of the elements that is being used in the creation. This high cost limits the use of the self-healing concrete to only at areas where water leakage or corrosion of steel are serious. Although, it can also be used when there is an urgent need to repair cracks such as, a museum, or a library. However, the cost of the self-healing concrete may only a temporary issue and it can be resolve along with the improving technologies. 

Lastly, the bacteria that is being used in the concrete not only does it repair cracks and have a long lifespan, it also improves the compressive strength of the cement which enable it to become stronger. In a report, “Study of Compressive Strength Of Self Healing Concrete”, various tests were done on the 7th day and the 28th day on the self-healing concrete. The result of the test shows a value greater than conventional concrete.

To conclude, the self-healing concrete is a very viable solution to be used in existing or future buildings as long as the design for mix concrete with bacteria exist within the IS code, and better technologies to reduce the cost of self-healing concrete.

Spinks, R. (2015, June 29). The self-healing concrete that can fix its own cracks. The Guardian

https://www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/2015/jun/29/the-self-healing-concrete-that-can-fix-its-own-cracks

Pal. D. (2019, July 28) What is Bacterial Concrete or Self-Healing Concrete? Civil Engineering Notes

https://www.civilenggnotes.in/what-is-self-healing-concrete/.

Silva, F & Boon, N & De Belie, N & Verstraete, W. (2015, January). (PDF) Industrial Application of Biological Self-healing Concrete: Challenges and Economical Feasibility. ResearchGate

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/270586240_Industrial_Application_of_Biological_Self-healing_Concrete_Challenges_and_Economical_Feasibility.

Shanmuga, R. (2016, December). A Review on Bacteria -Based Self-Healing Concrete. ResearchGate

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/311970887_A_Review_on_Bacteria_-Based_Self-Healing_Concrete.

 

International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology (2018, October). STUDY OF COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH OF SELF HEALING CONCRETE. Irjet.net. 

https://www.irjet.net/archives/V5/i10/IRJET-V5I10217.pdf

 

Build Abroad (2017, January 17). This is crazy! Self healing concrete is a material you have to see to believe. Build Abroad.

https://buildabroad.org/2017/01/17/self-healing-concrete/.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Self-Introduction Letter

-
Subject: Self-Introduction Email Dear Professor Blackstone My name is Amos Bian, and I am currently studying civil engineering in Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT) as a year 1 student. Before enrolling into SIT, I graduated Nanyang Polytechnic with a diploma in engineering with business. Being a son of a project manager, I grew up listening to my father talk about the projects he had undertaken. Those discussions sparked my interest in his job, and it resulted in me wanting to become like my father. I have taken up leadership roles in both army and secondary school in the past which made me more comfortable in speaking. As a leader, there is a need for me to communicate with my superiors and my subordinate on various instructions given while ensuring that it is clear, and this made me become more outspoken as a person. However, I do have a tendency to stutter which will cause confusions, and this resulted in it being unorganized and rushed at times. Being in this course, I would
Read more

Self-Healing Concrete Summary + Reader Response Draft 4

-
In the article, “The Self-healing Concrete That Can Fix Its Own Cracks”, Spinks (2015) described an innovation that Jonkers invented, which was embedding self-activating bacteria into concrete to make it self-healing. He stated that the bacteria can exist for up to 200 years as long as particles exist for it to feed on, and also mentioned that the bacteria would start producing limestone to repair the cracks when water starts seeping into the cracks. He also noted that the self-healing concrete was unable to repair large cracks, and only capable of repairing cracks up to 0.8mm wide. According to Jonkers, a cubic meter of concrete costs €70, while the self-healing concrete costs €100. Nonetheless, Jonkers remarked that some countries with coastal communities or tropical regions with extreme rainfall are seeing the cost-benefit analysis of using the self-healing concrete. It was concluded by Jonkers that these tests were done in developing countries where they see profits in the future. 
Read more

Importance of communication skills for engineers

-
 “Communication skills are an essential component in the education of engineering students to facilitate not just students’ education but also to prepare them for their future careers.” Marc Riemer, Faculty of Engineering, Monash University (2007) My thoughts: Communication skills is a necessity for engineering students' education as it plays an important role in their future careers. For example, being able to communicate with clients or pass information around requires good communication skills. Hence, communication skills should be part of an engineering students' education.
Read more