EVERGREEN

Joint Journal of Novel Carbon Resource Sciences and Green Asia Strategy

ISSN:2189-0420 (Print until Mar 2020)
ISSN:2432-5953 (Online)

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Experimental Investigation and Characterization Studies on Coconut Fibre Reinforced Bacterial Concrete Using Bacillus Subtilis

Yuvaperiyasamy Mayilsamy1, Pooja Damodaran2, Kalaimani Maniarasu3,*, Sabari Kaliappan4
1Department of Mechanical Engineering, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, (SIMATS), India
2Department of Civil Engineering, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, (SIMATS), India
3Department of Mechanical Engineering, Prathyusha Engineering College, India
4Department of Mechanical Engineering, Kangeyam Institute of Technology, India
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed:
E-mail: kalaimani.mech@prathyusha.edu.in (KM)
Evergreen, Vol. 13, Iss. 01, pp. 328–340, 2026
DOI: 10.5109/7411079
Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International
Received: August 26, 2025 | Revised: January 22, 2026 | Accepted: February 21, 2026 | Published: March 2026
Abstract
A common building material, concrete may fracture when subjected to mechanical loads and environmental pressure. These cracks can compromise its structural integrity and allow moisture to penetrate, which might cause the reinforcing steel to rust. Recent advancements in self-healing concrete investigated the application of microorganisms that can autonomously generate calcium carbonate (CaCO3) for crack repair. This research determined an innovative approach to enriching concrete's strength and environmental sustainability by incorporating the coconut fibre (CF) and Bacillus subtilis bacteria. A 10% bacterial solution with a concentration of 107 CFU/ml, along with waste CF, was added to concrete mixtures in varying amounts (0, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5%) to evaluate its effectiveness as a micro-reinforcement additive for crack control and mechanical performance enhancement. The prepared concrete specimens underwent curing, and their mechanical properties were evaluated at 7, 14, and 28 days. The blend that performed the best was subjected to microstructural examination. The concrete containing 1% CF showed better mechanical characteristics after 28 days of curing, with values of 46.66 MPa for compressive strength (CS), 6.88 MPa for splitting tensile strength (STS), and 9.33 MPa for flexural strength (FS). This mix's microstructural examination revealed calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) formation, confirming effective crack healing and enhanced durability. This method utilizes agricultural waste as a reinforcing material, promoting sustainable practices in construction and enhancing the durability and service life of concrete structures.
Keywords
Bacillus subtilis; Bacterial concrete; Coconut fibers; Eco-friendly; Sustainable concrete
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