Characterization of sustainable bio-based mortar for concrete repair

The paper describes mechanical properties, self-healing capacity and bonding behaviour of a sustainable bio-based mortar repair system for concrete. Two different mixes of strain-hardening cement-based composites (SHCC) have been used. The bio-based agent added to the SHCC consists of both bacteria and food for the bacteria. The metabolic activity of bacteria was monitored by oxygen profile measurements, which reveals O2 consumption by bacteria-based samples, but not by control samples. The mechanical properties of the mortar (flexural behaviour, compression strength and drying shrinkage) are evaluated. The bonding behaviour with the concrete substrate is evaluated based on pullout tests and restrained shrinkage.