Mitigating biofilm growth through the modification of concrete design and practice

Author(s): Jonah C. Kurth, David J. Giannantonio, Frederic Allain, Patricia A. Sobecky, Kimberly E. Kurtis
Paper category : conference
Book title: International RILEM Symposium on Photocatalysis, Environment and Construction Materials - TDP 2007
Editor(s): P. Baglioni and L. Casssar
Print-ISBN: 978-2-35158-056-1
e-ISBN: 978-2-35158-057-8
Publisher: RILEM Publications SARL
Publication year: 2007
Pages: 195 - 202
Total Pages: 8
Language: English

Abstract: Biological growth on concrete surfaces has the potential to cause surface staining, produce chemical changes, and decrease durability. Recent observations in Georgia of affected cast-in-place concrete adjacent to unaffected pre-cast concrete panels suggest this biofouling may be related to construction practices and/or materials design. Sites were sampled statewide to examine effect of variations in environments and materials on the degree and type of microbial growth. From each site, nucleic acids were extracted from contact strips and subjected to Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) amplification using bacterial and fungalspecific PCR primers. Preliminary sequence analysis indicated the presence of a number of bacteria, including gammaproteobacteria, cyanobacteria, and fungi, including a number of genera known to colonize concrete and other surfaces. Ongoing research, including x-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric / differential thermal analysis (TG/DTA), and scanning electron microscopy, aims to characterize the composition of the affected (surface) and unaffected (core) concrete at each site. Planned research will examine means for mitigating microbial growth through both materials design and construction operations. In particular, the effectiveness of photocatalytic cements or supplementary cementitious materials will be tested for both approaches: incorporated as part of the core concrete placement, or used as a mortar applied after forms are removed.

Online publication: 2011-07-01
Publication type : full_text
Public price (Euros): 0.00Author(s): Alberto Strini, Elisa Bossi
Paper category : conference
Book title: International RILEM Symposium on Photocatalysis, Environment and Construction Materials - TDP 2007
Editor(s): P. Baglioni and L. Casssar
Print-ISBN: 978-2-35158-056-1
e-ISBN: 978-2-35158-057-8
Publisher: RILEM Publications SARL
Publication year: 2007
Pages: 117 - 122
Total Pages: 6
Language: English