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It introduced an innovative bioengineering method of consolidating incompact sand by urea-hydrolysis producing calcite cementation under the inducement of urease producing microbe. In the paper it discussed the effects of cementation methods and time on porosity and mechanical properties of microbe-inspired cementing sand columns. Method A adopted reaction fluid gravitational permeating and external pressing and method B adopted reaction fluid gravitational permeating and outlet intermittent plugging method. 28-day sand columns prepared by method A exhibited stronger mechanical properties than those prepared by method B, considering of the compressive strengths and three-point flexural strength as well. Pore volume fractions of sand columns prepared by method A reduced with an increase in cementation time which represented the bulk densities of sand columns were improved positively with time. The compressive strengths and the flexural strengths of sand columns prepared by method A increased with time. All these improved mechanical properties were attributed to the fact that the increasing amount of microbe inspired calcite precipitation with time consolidated sand columns by filling or bridging in sand gaps.

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This study assesses the kinetics of hydration of Pulverised Fuel Ash and Metakaolin cement pastes and compares how the rate of reaction affects the pore-characteristics and resistance to ionic ingress. The degrees of hydration for the different mixtures were evaluated, both as a function of the calcium hydroxide content and with respect to the chemically combined water contents. The reaction rates have been evaluated using a mathematical model (Jander model), which describes the hydration kinetics of the two materials. The results show that the reaction rate for specimens incorporating Metakaolin is several folds higher than those incorporating Pulverised fuel ash. The faster rate of reaction of the pozzolanic blends results in a faster rate of filling the pore spaces with hydration products, smaller pore volumes and reduced chloride ion diffusivity. The results from this investigation will provide engineers with a much needed uunderstanding of the kinetics of hydration and setting characteristics of these types of cement systems and help in gaining an appreciation of the early structural development, ease of placement and subsequent evolution of properties.