Gadjah Mada

University

Biological Attack
BIODETERIORATION IN CONCRETE MATERIALS
Presented by Halima Irianti Puspita Sari

Durability of Materials
Civil Engineering Postgraduate Program
 Presentation
01 Contents
02 03
Definition Causative Mechanism
Factors & Process

04 05 06
Prevention Related
& Repair Example
Codes
References
Shetty, M.S., 1997, Concrete Technology, S. Chand & Company Ltd., New Delhi
01
Wei, Shiping, 2014, Microbiologically induced deterioration of concrete, Brazil
02
ACI 201.2R-016, 2016, Guide to Durable Concrete, Reported by ACI Committee 201
03
Kosmatka, S.H., and Wilson, M.,L, 2011, Design and Control of Concrete Mixtures, The
04 guide to applications, methods, and materials, Fifteenth Edition, Portland Cemen
Association
Noeiaghaei, Tahereh, 2015, Biogenic deterioration of concrete and its mitigation
05 technologies, Curtin University
CWALINA, Beata, 2008, Biodeterioration of Concrete, The Silesian University of
06 Technology, Poland

M. Sanchez-Silva, 2008, Biodeterioration of Construction Materials: State of the Art and

07 Future Challenges, ASCE

Several Journals published by Elsevier about biodeterioration and biodegredation

08
Definition of
Biological Attack
 What is Biological Attack?
“Biological attack is biology process where the vital activities of living organism on a material
causing any undesirable change in the properties of material and lowering the quality of the
structural (Biodeterioration)”

In concrete structures biodeterioration affects the concrete matrix increasing porosity and contributing to
crack growth. Living organism that responsible to cause a biological attack is referred as “Biological Agents”
 BIOLOGICAL AGENT
MACROORGANISMS
PLANTS ANIMALS

Many buildings plants grow and the roots slowly

Animals (rats, bats, birds, snakes, etc.), can
penetrate into concrete or small cracks in
damage the concrete by making a hole to
concrete and converts it into bigger cracks with
build their nest.
further growth.
 BIOLOGICAL AGENT
MICROORGANISMS
BACTERIA FUNGI ALGAE, LICHEN

Concrete is colonised by microorganisms metaboblic actitivies, such as the secretion of enzymes, amino acids
or excretion of metabolic by-products, for instance, acid forming waste materials, can lead to significant
concrete biodeterioration.
 Classification of
Physical or Biodeterioration
Refers to all actions that directly affect the
component’s material and mechanical properties
Mechanical

Primarily, the presence of microorganisms causing an

Fouling or
unacceptable appearance but the performance of the
Soiling
material is not affected

Assimilatory : the organisms use the structural component as a

Assimilatory and source of food. Dissimilatory : the live organisms
Dissimilatory excreted waste products or other substances e.g., H2S, FeS.
Both adversely affect the material
Causative Factors
of
Biological Attack
 Why microorganism attack Concrete?

Metabolic Activity Those elements are available Metabolic products forming a

Microorganisms consume
different elements (e.g.
Calcium, aluminum, silicon,
iron etc.) for their metabolism
in hardened concrete
-Portlandite (calcium hydroxide)
-Yeelimite (form of calcium sulfoaluminate)
-Gismondine (hydrated alumino-silicate)
microbial layer on the surface
of the structure (biofilm) which
release (excreta) of organic
acids onto concrete surface
What kind of conditions lead to a biological
Organisms can grow in aggressive environments on concrete surfaces that offer favorable conditions (e.g., available water,
attack?
low Ph, etc.) For example, in conditions where there is :

❑ Elevated relative humidity (i.e., between 60% and 98%)

❑ High carbon dioxide concentrations (e.g., carbonation in urban atmospheres)

❑ High concentrations of chloride ions or other salts (e.g., marine environments)

❑ High concentrations of sulfates and small amounts of acids (e.g., sewer pipes or residual water treatment plants).
 Causative factor and
Types of Microorganism
Mechanism &
Process
Biological Attack
Biodeterioration Process on 1 Concrete
Surface
concrete structures can be
classified according to their
consequences on :

Concrete
3 Cracking
Matrix 2
 Biodeterioration Process on Concrete Surface
Fresh concrete have high alkalinity The pH of concrete is slowly lowered Eventually the surface pH is reduced
(pH between 11 and 13 which is the mainly by the effect of carbon dioxide to a level, that can support the
result of hydration of cement (CO2) and hydrogen sulfide on the surface growth of bacteria (pH 9–9.5)

Deterioration in Sewer Pipes

1. Being heavier than air, H2S will settle on the surface of
the sewage water
2. Then, H2S will circulated around the structure’s air-filled
cavities through convective currents
3. H2S re-dissolve in the water or slime that adheres to the
concrete walls
4. Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) forms weak sulfuric acid
5. Weak H2SO4
- attacks the concrete directly
- Lowers the pH of concrete from 12 to 9 and lead to
corrosion of steel
 Diffusion into Concrete
Microorganisms are very small and can penetrate inside the concrete matrix even if there are no observable cracks
Matrix
in concrete. The most common mechanism for their ingress is by microcracks and capillarity. Microorganisms such as
Fungus (yeasts, cladosporium, mycelia, hypha etc.), Bacteria (actynomicete, thiobacillus), Algae (diatom algae) and
even protozoa can be found within the concrete matrix.

It has been observed that the action of microorganisms on the concrete matrix increases concrete porosity, which
in turn changes the concrete coefficient of diffusion and concrete internal conductivity.
Biodeteriora
tion on
cracking and
crack growth
Concept of Biodeterioration
Process on Concrete
Prevention &
Repair
Biological Attack
 Preventions to be taken
❑ Using Fungicidal, Germicidal and Insecticidal Admixtures (Polyhalogenated phenols, dieldrin emulsions, and
cooper compounds)
❑ Rough surfaces are prone to biofouling
 Preventions to be taken
❑ Resistance of the coating for specific appliactions must be considered
❑ Choose the right material for the right environment
Example :
Calcium Aluminate Cement (CAC) can have good resistance againt acids
 REPAIR STRATEGIES
Power Washing
❑ Primarily done to avoid slip hazard
❑ It can start a devastating vicious cycle
- High pressure and a high velocity
- Can dislodge not only dirt and debris, but also create flakes,
pop outs and concrete spalls
 REPAIR STRATEGIES
Repair Materials ❑ Biodeteriorated concrete can be repaired using suitable material
❑ Prepare the substrate carefully before applying the repair material
❑ Protective Coatings may be applied over the repaired concrete to
prevent further deterioration
EXAMPLE OF
Biological Attack Cases
 Effects of concrete properties and nutrients on fungal
colonization and fouling,
David J. Giannantonio, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta,
2009
Biocorrosion of Concrete
Sewers in Greece
Georgios Fytianos,
International Hellenic
University

Analysis Of Marine Biota

Attachment In Concrete
And Sea Water Diffusivity
In Concrete
Henry Hartono, Gadjah
RELATED CODES
Biological Attack
Related
❑ASTM C1904-20 , Standard Test Methods for Determination of the
Codes
Effects of Biogenic Acidification on Concrete Antimicrobial Additives
and/or Concrete Products
❑EN 14647:2005, Calcium aluminate cement - Composition,
specifications and conformity criteria
❑ISO 22196 – Antimicrobial Test – Concrete