INFLUENCE OF USING EFFECTIVE MICROORGANISMS IN A MOLASSES MEDIUM ON THE COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH, CORROSION RESISTANCE AND PERMEABILITY OF CONCRETE

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Civil Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering, Misr University for Science and Technology, Fayoum, Egypt

2 Professor of properties and strength of materials, Civil engineering department, Faculty of engineering, Fayoum university

3 Civil Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering, Fayoum University, Fayoum, Egypt

4 Department of Micro-Biology, Agricultural Research Center, Egypt

Abstract

In this study, we delve into the innovative application of Effective Microorganisms (EM) as a water-replacing concrete admixture. This research is centered on evaluating the impact of EM on enhancing concrete's mechanical properties. We methodically replaced varying percentages of the standard mixing water with an EM solution, specifically 2%, 3%, 5%, 8%, and 10%, to investigate the subsequent effects on concrete's performance.
This study introduces Effective Microorganisms Concrete (EMC), a new concrete variant enhanced with Effective Microorganisms (EM). EMC demonstrates significantly im-proved properties over traditional concrete. Notably, its compressive strength increased by 36.75% compared to standard concrete, indicating potential for more robust and en-during constructions. EMC's corrosion resistance also saw a remarkable upsurge, rising by 66%. This enhancement is crucial for the structural integrity and safety of concrete in corrosive environments, potentially reducing maintenance costs and prolonging infra-structure lifespan. Another key finding is EMC's enhanced impermeability, being 63% less permeable than control specimens. This reduced permeability is essential for con-crete durability, particularly in water-exposed structures, as it helps prevent water in-trusion, a major factor in concrete degradation. Overall, EMC's advancements in strength, corrosion resistance, and impermeability mark a significant breakthrough in concrete technology, offering prospects for more durable, sustainable, and resilient construction materials.

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