Characterisation of fresh concrete incorporated with Bacillus subtilis and recycled Polyethylene Terephthalate
M. Mirza Abdillah Pratama, Indriyani Indriyani, Cynthia Permata Dewi, and Christian Hadhinata

Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Negeri Malang, Indonesia

Abstract

The workability and characteristics of concrete when it is fresh are factors that influence its strength and durability as a building structural element. The goal of this research was to compare the physical properties of fresh concrete based on Bacillus subtilis bacteria and Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) fibre to those of normal concrete. Laboratory tests include slump collapse, volume weight, fresh concrete temperature, and compaction factor testing were conducted. In addition, the concrete was subjected to a permeability test to determine its ability to pass water. The test results show that the slump value, volume weight, and compaction factor of the innovation concrete are lower than those of normal concrete. This is due to the use of synthetic fibres, which cause the concrete mixture to clump and become more difficult to work with. The temperature of the mixture showed no significant difference. Concrete characteristics are improved in terms of permeability, where innovative concrete produces better impermeability to dispel the rate of water vapour entering the internal concrete, preventing the concrete reinforcement from rusting.

Keywords: self-healing concrete, fresh concrete, workability, slump collapse, volume weight, temperature, compaction factor

Topic: Biotechnology