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Bacteria

Bacteria-Based Biomineralization Enhances 3D Printed Concrete Properties

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Research conducted by the Thapar Institute of Engineering & Technology in Punjab, India, has demonstrated the effectiveness of microbially induced calcium carbonate precipitation (MICCP) in enhancing the mechanical properties and durability of 3D printed concrete (3DPC). The study aimed to assess the on-site applicability of a ready-to-use, fly ash-based bacterial inoculum designed for industrial use, with the objective of enhancing interlayer cohesion while reducing environmental impact.

The research team conducted a comprehensive testing regime, encompassing direct and splitting tensile tests, in conjunction with microstructural analyses, including Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), and other techniques. The findings indicate that the incorporation of nutrient broth (NB) supplemented with nutrients during the printing and curing process led to a substantial enhancement in mechanical performance.

Key Takeaways:

  • The incorporation of NB supplemented with nutrients during the printing and curing process led to a substantial enhancement in mechanical performance of 3D printed concrete.
  • Specimens treated with NB and cured with NB-enriched water showed an increase in splitting tensile strength and direct tensile strength of 422.21% in Series I and 509.25% in Series II.
  • The formation of lamellar rhombohedral calcite crystals (3-7 μm) and increased calcite content were observed in NB-treated specimens.
  • Reduced porosity and more refined pore structures were observed in treated specimens.
  • The research concludes that future studies should investigate further optimization for field deployment and adaptation of bacterial strains to varying environmental conditions.

Statistics:

  • 422.21% increase in splitting tensile strength in Series I
  • 509.25% increase in direct tensile strength in Series II
  • 3-7 μm in particle size of lamellar rhombohedral calcite crystals
  • Increased calcite content observed in NB-treated specimens
  • Reduced porosity and more refined pore structures observed in treated specimens

Sources:

  • "Enhancing Interlayer Bonding In 3-dimensional Printed Concrete Using Bacteria-based Biomineralization," Cement & Concrete Composites, 2025;164
  • Thapar Institute of Engineering & Technology, Dept. of Civil Engineering, Patiala 147004, Punjab, India (authors: Shweta Goyal, Amardeep Singh, Vivian W. Y. Tam, Kamal Anand, Qiong Liu, and M. Sudhakara Reddy)
  • Cement & Concrete Composites, Elsevier Sci Ltd, 125 London Wall, London, England (www.elsevier.com, www.journals.elsevier.com/cement-and-concrete-composites/)
  • NewsRx. Studies from Thapar Institute of Engineering & Technology Add New Findings in the Area of Cement and Concrete Research (Enhancing Interlayer Bonding In 3-dimensional Printed Concrete Using Bacteria-based Biomineralization). Life Science Weekly. November 4, 2025; p 7104.

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