Influence of Connectivity on Physical and Chemical Properties of Crack Zone and Spore Germination of Mineralizing Bacteria

doi:10.16552/j.cnki.issn1001-1625.2025.0785

Abstract

Abstract: In the process of crack self-healing based on microbial mineralization, the connectivity of cracks may affect the physical and chemical properties of the crack zone, thereby influencing the germination of mineralizing bacterial spores and the subsequent mineralization and deposition repair process. This paper systematically studies the physical and chemical characteristics of oxygen concentration, pH value, and calcium ions in through and non-through cracks, and explores their influence on the germination behavior of mineralizing bacteria at different crack depths. The results show that the physical and chemical characteristics of non-through cracks are non-uniform. Oxygen concentration decreases significantly from the crack opening to its depth. Meanwhile, pH value (10.26~12.50) and calcium ion concentration (5~50 mmol/L) increases significantly along the crack depth. Therefore, surface (5 mm) spores germinate earlier than deep (20 mm) spores. In contrast, the distribution of physical and chemical properties within the through crack is relatively uniform. The oxygen concentration fluctuates within the range of 129.59~261.55 μmol/L, and the pH value changes within the small range of 11.80~12.30, and the calcium ion concentration is approximately 15 mmol/L. The germination times of surface (5 mm) and deep (20 mm) spores show a relatively small difference. This indicates that the changes in the microenvironment of the crack caused by the crack connectivity have a significant impact on the germination behavior of the spores.

Key words: self-healing concrete, crack, mineralizing bacteria germination, oxygen concentration, pH value, Ca²⁺ concentration

CLC Number:

TU528

HOU Fuxing, GUO Hanyu, YAO Tian, SHEN Di, WANG Jianyun. Influence of Connectivity on Physical and Chemical Properties of Crack Zone and Spore Germination of Mineralizing Bacteria[J]. BULLETIN OF THE CHINESE CERAMIC SOCIETY, 2025, 44(11): 4188-4198.

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