• Journal of the Korean Recycled Construction Resources Institute
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.165-171
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• 2016

The objective of this study is to evaluate the compressive strength development and ecological characteristics of mortars using expanded vermiculite absorbing bacteria as a fundamental investigation to develop precast eco-concrete products. For bacterial growth under the high-alkalinity and high-dried environments within hardened mortars and for creating plant growth function to mortars, Bacillus alcalophilus and Rhodoblastus acidophilus were separated and cultured. The cultured bacteria were absorbed into expanded vermiculite selected for bacteria shelter. The expanded vermiculite absorbing bacteria was then added into mortar mixture as a volumetric replacement of fine aggregate. Test results showed that the developed technology is very effective in enhancing the plant growth onto the hardened mortars and reducing the COD and T-N concentration in raw water. The optimum replacement level of expanded vermiculite absorbing bacteria can be recommended to be less than 10% considering the compressive strength development and cost of mortars along with the ecological effectiveness.