Mechanical properties of bio-cementation materials in pre-precipitation mixing process

Abstract

Urease-producing bacteria (UPB) could be used to cement loose sand particles. The UPB would produce free ammonia and carbon dioxide during the process of hydrolyzing urea, and part of the free ammonia would be discharged into the air to cause certain pollution to the atmospheric environment. The carbon dioxide could react with alkaline oxide to form carbonates and improved the strength in GGBS comparing with medium containing different concentrations of urea. By adding hydrogen phosphate ions and magnesium salts, free ammonia could be converted into environmentally friendly magnesium ammonium phosphate. The mixture of biological magnesium ammonium phosphate and basic magnesium carbonate could be synthesized through the bio-mineralization process. Through the pre-precipitation mixing process, the loose sand particles could be cemented into a whole. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images of the sand column showed that the mixture of biological magnesium ammonium phosphate and basic magnesium carbonate could better fill in the pores of sand grains. In the pre-precipitation mixing process, the optimal standing time and dosage of the bio-cement slurry prepared by the bio-mineralization method were 6 h and 30%, respectively. The average interface bonding force between CJ2 and glass slide was 2.12 N.

Keywords: Interface bonding force; Magnesium ammonium phosphate; Pre-precipitation mixing process; Sand column; Urease-producing bacteria.