Exploring Bacteria-Based Self-healing Potential in Cement-Lime Mortar Masonry

Maria B. Gaggero; Paul A. Korswagen; Rita Esposito; Jan G. Rots

doi:10.1007/978-3-031-73310-9_77

Exploring Bacteria-Based Self-healing Potential in Cement-Lime Mortar Masonry

Maria B. Gaggero^*, Paul A. Korswagen, Rita Esposito, Jan G. Rots

^*Corresponding author for this work

Applied Mechanics

Research output: Chapter in Book/Conference proceedings/Edited volume › Conference contribution › Scientific › peer-review

Abstract

The integration of bacteria-based self-healing mortars has emerged as a promising solution to address repair due to recurring cracks and preserving masonry durability. Building upon a recent pilot study demonstrating the efficacy of a self-healing agent in the repair of masonry made with cement-based mortar, this follow-up study explores the potential of integrating the added-in healing agent in a pre-bagged cement-lime mortar - more commonly used in masonry applications. Through bond wrench tests and a 30-day healing period involving wet-dry cycles, the study evaluates aesthetic and flexural bond strength recovery of couplets built with solid clay bricks. Results showed that the addition of the agent altered the initial flexural bond strength, with bacteria-based masonry couplets four times stronger than the plain reference ones - without containing the agent. The mortar’s colorwas also affected. Additionally, bacteria-based specimens demonstrated automatic repair, restoring up to 33% of the original flexural bond strength, while referencemasonry couplets showed no evidence of autonomous healing. However, instances of leaching, possibly attributed to the agent’s substrate, prompted a revision of the strategy employed for the healing environment. Further research will specifically target the observed leaching issue by exploring the effects of multiple healing environments.

Original language	English
Title of host publication	18th International Brick and Block Masonry Conference
Subtitle of host publication	Proceedings of IB2MaC 2024—Volume 2
Editors	Gabriele Milani, Bahman Ghiassi
Publisher	Springer
Pages	1011–1020
Number of pages	10
Volume	2
ISBN (Electronic)	978-3-031-73310-9
ISBN (Print)	978-3-031-73309-3, 978-3-031-73312-3
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-73310-9_77
Publication status	Published - 2025
Event	18th International Brick and Block Masonry Conference, IB2MaC 2024 - Edgbaston Park Hotel, Birmingham, United Kingdom Duration: 21 Jul 2024 → 24 Jul 2024 https://more.bham.ac.uk/ib2mac2024/conference-programme/

Publication series

Name	Lecture Notes in Civil Engineering
Publisher	Springer
Volume	614
ISSN (Print)	2366-2557
ISSN (Electronic)	2366-2565

Conference

Conference	18th International Brick and Block Masonry Conference, IB2MaC 2024
Abbreviated title	IB2MaC 2024
Country/Territory	United Kingdom
City	Birmingham
Period	21/07/24 → 24/07/24
Other	The International Brick and Block Masonry Conference is an international conference intended to attract representatives among masonry researchers and practitioners, masonry industries and building management authorities, construction professionals and educators. The conference will thus represent a unique platform for discussion, networking, sharing new ideas and gaining insights into trends, innovations and challenges related to masonry, in both research and building practice.
Internet address	https://more.bham.ac.uk/ib2mac2024/conference-programme/

Bibliographical note

Green Open Access added to TU Delft Institutional Repository ‘You share, we take care!’ – Taverne project https://www.openaccess.nl/en/you-share-we-take-care
Otherwise as indicated in the copyright section: the publisher is the copyright holder of this work and the author uses the Dutch legislation to make this work public.

Keywords

Lime
Masonry
Heritage
Repair
Self-healing
Bacteria

Access to Document

10.1007/978-3-031-73310-9_77

Cite this

Gaggero, M. B., Korswagen, P. A., Esposito, R., & Rots, J. G. (2025). Exploring Bacteria-Based Self-healing Potential in Cement-Lime Mortar Masonry. In G. Milani, & B. Ghiassi (Eds.), 18th International Brick and Block Masonry Conference: Proceedings of IB2MaC 2024—Volume 2 (Vol. 2, pp. 1011–1020). (Lecture Notes in Civil Engineering; Vol. 614). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-73310-9_77

@inproceedings{43ed0a531de34bf08145a74590d8e331,

title = "Exploring Bacteria-Based Self-healing Potential in Cement-Lime Mortar Masonry",

abstract = "The integration of bacteria-based self-healing mortars has emerged as a promising solution to address repair due to recurring cracks and preserving masonry durability. Building upon a recent pilot study demonstrating the efficacy of a self-healing agent in the repair of masonry made with cement-based mortar, this follow-up study explores the potential of integrating the added-in healing agent in a pre-bagged cement-lime mortar - more commonly used in masonry applications. Through bond wrench tests and a 30-day healing period involving wet-dry cycles, the study evaluates aesthetic and flexural bond strength recovery of couplets built with solid clay bricks. Results showed that the addition of the agent altered the initial flexural bond strength, with bacteria-based masonry couplets four times stronger than the plain reference ones - without containing the agent. The mortar{\textquoteright}s colorwas also affected. Additionally, bacteria-based specimens demonstrated automatic repair, restoring up to 33% of the original flexural bond strength, while referencemasonry couplets showed no evidence of autonomous healing. However, instances of leaching, possibly attributed to the agent{\textquoteright}s substrate, prompted a revision of the strategy employed for the healing environment. Further research will specifically target the observed leaching issue by exploring the effects of multiple healing environments.",

keywords = "Lime, Masonry, Heritage, Repair, Self-healing, Bacteria",

author = "Gaggero, {Maria B.} and Korswagen, {Paul A.} and Rita Esposito and Rots, {Jan G.}",

note = "Green Open Access added to TU Delft Institutional Repository {\textquoteleft}You share, we take care!{\textquoteright} – Taverne project https://www.openaccess.nl/en/you-share-we-take-care Otherwise as indicated in the copyright section: the publisher is the copyright holder of this work and the author uses the Dutch legislation to make this work public. ; 18th International Brick and Block Masonry Conference, IB2MaC 2024, IB2MaC 2024 ; Conference date: 21-07-2024 Through 24-07-2024",

year = "2025",

doi = "10.1007/978-3-031-73310-9_77",

language = "English",

isbn = "978-3-031-73309-3",

volume = "2",

series = "Lecture Notes in Civil Engineering",

publisher = "Springer",

pages = "1011–1020",

editor = "Gabriele Milani and Bahman Ghiassi",

booktitle = "18th International Brick and Block Masonry Conference",

url = "https://more.bham.ac.uk/ib2mac2024/conference-programme/",

}

Gaggero, MB , Korswagen, PA , Esposito, R & Rots, JG 2025, Exploring Bacteria-Based Self-healing Potential in Cement-Lime Mortar Masonry. in G Milani & B Ghiassi (eds), 18th International Brick and Block Masonry Conference: Proceedings of IB2MaC 2024—Volume 2. vol. 2, Lecture Notes in Civil Engineering, vol. 614, Springer, pp. 1011–1020, 18th International Brick and Block Masonry Conference, IB2MaC 2024, Birmingham, United Kingdom, 21/07/24. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-73310-9_77

Exploring Bacteria-Based Self-healing Potential in Cement-Lime Mortar Masonry. / Gaggero, Maria B.; Korswagen, Paul A.; Esposito, Rita et al.
18th International Brick and Block Masonry Conference: Proceedings of IB2MaC 2024—Volume 2. ed. / Gabriele Milani; Bahman Ghiassi. Vol. 2 Springer, 2025. p. 1011–1020 (Lecture Notes in Civil Engineering; Vol. 614).

Research output: Chapter in Book/Conference proceedings/Edited volume › Conference contribution › Scientific › peer-review

TY - GEN

T1 - Exploring Bacteria-Based Self-healing Potential in Cement-Lime Mortar Masonry

AU - Gaggero, Maria B.

AU - Korswagen, Paul A.

AU - Esposito, Rita

AU - Rots, Jan G.

N1 - Green Open Access added to TU Delft Institutional Repository ‘You share, we take care!’ – Taverne project https://www.openaccess.nl/en/you-share-we-take-care Otherwise as indicated in the copyright section: the publisher is the copyright holder of this work and the author uses the Dutch legislation to make this work public.

PY - 2025

Y1 - 2025

N2 - The integration of bacteria-based self-healing mortars has emerged as a promising solution to address repair due to recurring cracks and preserving masonry durability. Building upon a recent pilot study demonstrating the efficacy of a self-healing agent in the repair of masonry made with cement-based mortar, this follow-up study explores the potential of integrating the added-in healing agent in a pre-bagged cement-lime mortar - more commonly used in masonry applications. Through bond wrench tests and a 30-day healing period involving wet-dry cycles, the study evaluates aesthetic and flexural bond strength recovery of couplets built with solid clay bricks. Results showed that the addition of the agent altered the initial flexural bond strength, with bacteria-based masonry couplets four times stronger than the plain reference ones - without containing the agent. The mortar’s colorwas also affected. Additionally, bacteria-based specimens demonstrated automatic repair, restoring up to 33% of the original flexural bond strength, while referencemasonry couplets showed no evidence of autonomous healing. However, instances of leaching, possibly attributed to the agent’s substrate, prompted a revision of the strategy employed for the healing environment. Further research will specifically target the observed leaching issue by exploring the effects of multiple healing environments.

AB - The integration of bacteria-based self-healing mortars has emerged as a promising solution to address repair due to recurring cracks and preserving masonry durability. Building upon a recent pilot study demonstrating the efficacy of a self-healing agent in the repair of masonry made with cement-based mortar, this follow-up study explores the potential of integrating the added-in healing agent in a pre-bagged cement-lime mortar - more commonly used in masonry applications. Through bond wrench tests and a 30-day healing period involving wet-dry cycles, the study evaluates aesthetic and flexural bond strength recovery of couplets built with solid clay bricks. Results showed that the addition of the agent altered the initial flexural bond strength, with bacteria-based masonry couplets four times stronger than the plain reference ones - without containing the agent. The mortar’s colorwas also affected. Additionally, bacteria-based specimens demonstrated automatic repair, restoring up to 33% of the original flexural bond strength, while referencemasonry couplets showed no evidence of autonomous healing. However, instances of leaching, possibly attributed to the agent’s substrate, prompted a revision of the strategy employed for the healing environment. Further research will specifically target the observed leaching issue by exploring the effects of multiple healing environments.

KW - Lime

KW - Masonry

KW - Heritage

KW - Repair

KW - Self-healing

KW - Bacteria

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85218443914&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1007/978-3-031-73310-9_77

DO - 10.1007/978-3-031-73310-9_77

M3 - Conference contribution

SN - 978-3-031-73309-3

SN - 978-3-031-73312-3

VL - 2

T3 - Lecture Notes in Civil Engineering

SP - 1011

EP - 1020

BT - 18th International Brick and Block Masonry Conference

A2 - Milani, Gabriele

A2 - Ghiassi, Bahman

PB - Springer

T2 - 18th International Brick and Block Masonry Conference, IB2MaC 2024

Y2 - 21 July 2024 through 24 July 2024

ER -

Exploring Bacteria-Based Self-healing Potential in Cement-Lime Mortar Masonry

Abstract

Publication series

Conference

Bibliographical note

Keywords

Access to Document

Other files and links

Embargoed Document

Fingerprint

Cite this