Microbially Modified Sustainable Cementitious Composites Using Industrial Ash Fillers

Notice

This is an unedited manuscript accepted for publication and provided as an Article in Press for early access at the author’s request. The article will undergo copyediting, typesetting, and galley proof review before final publication. Please be aware that errors may be identified during production that could affect the content. All legal disclaimers of the journal apply.

Year : 2026 | Volume : 14 | 03 | Page :
    By

    Priya Sopan Nikam,

  • Pravin Dinkar Nemade,

  1. Research Scholar, Department of Civil Engineering, Dr D Y Patil Institute of Engineering and Technology, Pune, Maharashtra, India
  2. Head, Department of Civil Engineering, MVPS’s KBT College of Engineering, Nashik, Maharashtra, India

Abstract

The growing demand for sustainable, durable construction materials has driven the development of bio-engineered cementitious composites incorporating industrial by-products and self-healing mechanisms. This study investigates a microbially modified cementitious composite that integrates industrial ash fillers with bacteria-based self-healing technology to enhance mechanical performance and microstructural integrity while reducing cement consumption. Cement was partially replaced with industrial ash at 20%, 30%, and 40% replacement levels, and a uratolytic bacterial strain (Bacillus subtilis) was introduced at concentrations ranging from 10⁵ to 10⁷ cells/ml to activate microbial-induced calcite precipitation (MICP). Compressive and flexural strength tests were conducted at 3, 14, and 28 days of curing to evaluate mechanical performance. Microstructural characterisation using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) was performed to analyse hydration products, pore refinement, and elemental composition. The results demonstrate that bacterial cementitious composites incorporating industrial ash exhibit significantly higher compressive and flexural strengths than conventional concrete, with the optimum mix showing up to a 30% increase in compressive strength and a notable improvement in flexural resistance. SEM observations revealed a denser matrix with reduced porosity and effective crack filling due to calcite precipitation, while EDS analysis confirmed the enrichment of calcium- and silicon-rich phases responsible for enhanced calcium–silicate–hydrate formation. The synergistic interaction between bio-mineralisation and pozzolanic reactions contributed to improved matrix continuity and stress transfer efficiency. Overall, the proposed bio-modified cementitious composite presents a promising sustainable alternative for durable construction applications by combining waste utilisation, reduced carbon footprint, and autonomous self-healing functionality.

Keywords: Cementitious composites; Industrial ash filler; Bio-mineralization; Self-healing composites; SEM-EDS; Sustainable materials, Pond Ash

How to cite this article:
Priya Sopan Nikam, Pravin Dinkar Nemade. Microbially Modified Sustainable Cementitious Composites Using Industrial Ash Fillers. Journal of Polymer & Composites. 2026; 14(03):-.
How to cite this URL:
Priya Sopan Nikam, Pravin Dinkar Nemade. Microbially Modified Sustainable Cementitious Composites Using Industrial Ash Fillers. Journal of Polymer & Composites. 2026; 14(03):-. Available from: https://journals.stmjournals.com/jopc/article=2026/view=243921


References

  1. Jin S, Ji Y. Effect and mechanism of composite cementitious system concrete modification by temperature rising inhibitor: hydration heat control, mechanical properties, and sustainability. Process Safety and Environmental Protection. 2026 Jan 13:108424. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psep.2026.108424
  2. Wen X, Pagcaliwagan AM, Hou H, Yin X. Advancements in self-healing concrete: Material mechanisms, durability assessment, and implications for infrastructure lifecycle management. Alexandria Engineering Journal. 2025 Nov 1; 131:104-24. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aej.2025.10.011
  3. Sarkar BK, Ghosh P. Bottom ash as a partial replacement of natural sand in sustainable concrete production. Next Sustainability. 2025 Jan 1; 6:100206. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nxsust.2025.100206
  4. Moolchandani K, Sharma A, Dharavath K. Hybrid use of supplementary cementitious materials, industrial byproducts, and fillers for sustainable high-performance concrete. Discover Civil Engineering. 2025 Nov 28;2(1):212.
  5. Wong PY, Mal J, Sandak A, Luo L, Jian J, Pradhan N. Advances in microbial self-healing concrete: A critical review of mechanisms, developments, and future directions. Science of The Total Environment. 2024 Oct 15; 947:174553. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.174553
  6. Said D, Ibrahim SM, Heikal M, Abdel-Monem MO, Dawwam GE. Bio-mineralization process of CaCO3 induced by bacteria isolated from Egypt for sustainable bio-concrete. Microbial Cell Factories. 2025 Sep 16;24(1):203.
  7. Wan Z, Xu Y, He S, Schlangen E, Šavija B. The use of additive manufacturing in self-healing cementitious materials: A state-of-the-art review. Developments in the Built Environment. 2024 Mar 1; 17:100334. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dibe.2024.100334
  8. Islam MT, Kafle B, Al-Ameri R. Natural Clay in Geopolymer Concrete: A Sustainable Alternative Pozzolanic Material for Future Green Construction—A Comprehensive Review. Sustainability. 2025 Nov 13;17(22):10180.
  9. Sowmya S, Pannem RM. Integrating bacteria and fibres for self-healing concrete: a comp rehensive review of synergistic effects. Results in Engineering. 2025 Sep 1:107071. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rineng.2025.107071
  10. Bagga M, Hamley-Bennett C, Alex A, Freeman BL, Justo-Reinoso I, Mihai IC, Gebhard S, Paine K, Jefferson AD, Masoero E, Ofiţeru ID. Advancements in bacteria based self-healing concrete and the promise of modelling. Construction and Building Materials. 2022 Dec 5; 358:129412.
  11. Ghatol, L. Kalurkar, “Survey on bacteria-based self-healing Cementitious composite incorporated with industrial waste for sustainable Cementitious composite development,” International Journal of Innovative Research in Science, Engineering and Technology, vol. 9, no. 8, pp. 7510, Aug. 2020.
  12. Pannem, K. Chintalapudi, “Performance evaluation of bacteria-based self-healing concrete: Mechanisms, strength, and durability,” International Journal of ChemTech Research, vol. 9, no. 1, pp. 182-188, 2019.
  13. Wong PY, Mal J, Sandak A, Luo L, Jian J, Pradhan N. Advances in microbial self-healing concrete: A critical review of mechanisms, developments, and future directions. Science of The Total Environment. 2024 Oct 15; 947:174553.
  14. Vishal A, Chepuri A, Chandana N. Assessment of bacteria-based self-healing concrete through experimental investigations—a sustainable approach. Journal of Materials Science: Materials in Engineering. 2025 Feb 8;20(1):15.
  15. Elgendy IM, Elkaliny NE, Saleh HM, Darwish GO, Almostafa MM, Metwally K, Yahya G, Mahmoud YA. Bacteria-powered self-healing concrete: Breakthroughs, challenges, and future prospects. Journal of Industrial Microbiology and Biotechnology. 2025;52: kuae051.
  16. Ghatol, L. Kalurkar, “Survey on bacteria-based self-healing Cementitious composite incorporated with industrial waste for sustainable Cementitious composite development,” International Journal of Innovative Research in Science, Engineering and Technology, vol. 9, no. 8, pp. 7510, Aug. 2020.
  17. Luhar S, Luhar I, Shaikh FU. A review on the performance evaluation of autonomous self-healing bacterial concrete: mechanisms, strength, durability, and microstructural properties. Journal of Composites Science. 2022 Jan;6(1):23.
  18. Wong PY, Mal J, Sandak A, Luo L, Jian J, Pradhan N. Advances in microbial self-healing concrete: A critical review of mechanisms, developments, and future directions. Science of The Total Environment. 2024 Oct 15; 947:174553.
  19. Kadamba S, Blesson S, Rao AU, Kamath M, Tantri A. Mechanical, durability and microstructure properties of self-healing concrete utilizing agro-industrial waste: a critical review. Journal of Building Pathology and Rehabilitation. 2024 Dec;9(2):153.
Ahead of Print Subscription Original Research
Volume 14
03
Received 16/01/2026
Accepted 04/02/2026
Published 14/05/2026
Publication Time 118 Days
66

Login


My IP

PlumX Metrics