Publication: Building Physics and Structural Analysis of Bio-Sandstones

Bio-mediated mineralization processes offer a sustainable alternative to conventional stone production by enabling the consolidation of granular materials under mild conditions while reducing the environmental impact associated with cement-based construction materials. Bio-sandstones produced through microbially induced calcium carbonate precipitation (MICP) have emerged as promising bio-based building materials; however, their suitability for construction applications requires comprehensive evaluation of both structural and building-physical properties.

 This study aimed to characterize bio-sandstones generated by microbial consolidation and compare their microstructural and hygrothermal behaviour with those of natural sandstones.

 The analyses focused on the internal pore structure, mineral distribution, and transport-relevant material properties that govern moisture behaviour and durability. Structural investigations demonstrated that microbial calcium carbonate formation creates a connected mineral matrix capable of binding sand particles into mechanically stable specimens, while maintaining characteristic porous features of sandstone materials. Complementary building-physical measurements enabled the evaluation of moisture transport and storage properties, providing insight into the potential application of bio-sandstones in sustainable construction concepts. The combined results highlight the strong relationship between pore structure and building-physical performance and demonstrate that bio-sandstones can exhibit material characteristics comparable to naturally occurring sandstone. The study provides important knowledge for the further development of biologically manufactured construction materials and contributes to the advancement of resource-efficient, low-carbon alternatives for the built environment.

 The successful realization of this study demonstrates the inherently interdisciplinary character of bio-sandstone research, with its comprehensive scope enabled by the close collaboration of biophysics, mechanical process engineering, bioprocess engineering, and Computational Physics in Engineering, thereby integrating biological, structural, and material-science perspectives into a unified approach.

 C. Diehl, J. Bachert, S. Carrigan, N. Erdmann, D. Strieth, K. de Payrebrune, K. Nikolaus, S. Antonyuk; Bauphysikalische und strukturanalytische Untersuchung von Bio-Sandsteinen; Bauphysik (2026), 1-11. https://doi.org/10.1002/bapi.70080.