Effective Microorganism Solution and High Volume of Fly Ash Blended Sustainable Bio-Concrete

Abstract

Currently, the production of sustainable concrete with high strength, durability, and fewer environmental problems has become a priority of concrete industries worldwide. Based on this fact, the effective microorganism (EM) solution was included in the concrete mixtures to modify the engineering properties. Concrete specimens prepared with 50% fly ash (FA) as an ordinary Portland cement (OPC) replacement were considered as the control sample. The influence of EM solution inclusion (at various contents of 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25% weight) in the cement matrix as water replacement was examined to determine the optimum ratio that can enhance the early and late strength of the proposed bio-concrete. The compressive strength, porosity, carbonation depth, resistance to sulphuric acid attack, and the environmental benefits of the prepared bio-concrete were evaluated. The results showed that the mechanical properties and durability performance of the bio-concrete were improved due to the addition of EM and FA. Furthermore, the inclusion of 10% EM could increase the compressive strength of the bio-concrete at 3 (early) and 28 days by 42.5% and 14.6%, respectively. The durability performance revealed a similar trend wherein the addition of 50% FA and 10% EM into the bio-concrete could improve its resistance against acid attack by 35.1% compared to the control specimen. The concrete mix designed with 10% EM was discerned to be optimum, with approximately 49.3% lower carbon dioxide emission compared to traditional cement.

Precision Agriculture

“…Carbonic anhydrases and Ureases like enzymes catalyze this bio-sequestration process, which is produced by microorganisms (Alshalif, et al, 2022). Through another study, it was revealed that the usage particular concentration of fly ash content with selected microorganism solutions can significantly improve the compressive strength of concrete while preventing the formation of microcracks (Huseien et al, 2022).…”

Effective Microorganisms and Glass Nanopowders from Waste Bottle Inclusion on Early Strength and Microstructure Properties of High-Volume Fly-Ash-Based Concrete

“…One of these methods involves the integration of microbial broth directly into the fresh concrete as a partial replacement for water [ 44 , 45 ]. EMs have shown immense benefits when incorporated into concrete [ 44 ], wherein the strength properties of the fresh mixes (particularly at the early ages) and cement hydration reaction processes were improved, thus enhancing the microstructures [ 44 , 46 ]. In addition, EMs have significant influence on the viscosity of the prepared mixing water (Ems–Water) [ 45 ].…”

“…In addition, EMs have significant influence on the viscosity of the prepared mixing water (Ems–Water) [ 45 ]. Hussein et al [ 42 ] reported an increase in the viscosity of Ems–Water from 0.95 to 1.25 mPa (as the mixing water replacement) when the EMs content was increased from 0 to 25% [ 44 ]. Wang et al [ 47 ] claimed that added water viscosity has strong potential to influence both fresh and hardened properties of concrete.…”

“…A recent study [ 44 ] aimed to determine the optimum replacement percentage of mixing water with EMs (5–25 wt.% of mixing water). The results reveal that inclusion of 10% of EMs as mixing water replacement into high-volume FA-based concrete (containing 50% of FA) achieved a satisfactory strength performance.…”

“…As a result, the pore size and pore ratio was minimized, enabling the development of high-density microstructures [ 49 ]. However, the strength of the EMs-added concrete was decreased by 4.5 and 23.7% at 3 and 28 days, respectively, compared with the control sample [ 44 ]. A further drop in pH was observed due to a rise in EMs that in turn lowered the alkalinity of the pore solution and eliminated the positive effects achieved by the optimum EMs.…”