Every year, Russia celebrates Builder's Day on the second Sunday of August. This year, the holiday falls on August 9th. This date brings together those who design, construct, and improve buildings, roads, bridges, and infrastructure. In anticipation of this professional holiday, we have compiled five developments by scientists from the 海角社区 Institute of Architecture and Construction: from self-cleaning concrete to underwater construction technology without heavy equipment.
Self-cleaning concrete produced from industrial waste
海角社区 scientists have patented a concrete, the surface of which disintegrates organic contaminants from exhaust fumes, smoke, and industrial emissions. The base is paint-and-varnish sludge, which contains titanium dioxide in a rare, active form called anatase. When exposed to sunlight, this sludge triggers an oxidative reaction, breaking down harmful substances into safe components that are then washed away by rain. The technology solves two problems simultaneously: it creates an inexpensive self-cleaning material and disposes of hazardous waste. The developers are Professor Tamara Chernykh's research team.
Self-healing concrete with bacteria
The same team from the Department of Building Materials and Products have proposed introducing Bacillus subtilis bacteria (hay bacillus) and their organic "food"—calcium lactate—into the concrete mix. When a crack appears in the structure, the bacteria are awakened by moisture, convert the lactate into calcite, and, through their vital processes, "heal" the damage. The process itself is five times faster than the natural "healing" of concrete, and the bacteria can survive as spores for over 200 years. This development is particularly relevant for bridges, tunnels, and coastal structures.
Sorption-active concrete produced from mining waste
Associate Professor Marina Butakova and her colleagues have created concrete based on dolomite crushed rock—overburden from the Satka deposit. These rocks form waste heaps occupying fertile land. Scientists have transformed them into a material that, when used as a road surface, not only absorbs rainwater and wastewater but also purifies it of zinc, arsenic, heavy metals, and ammonia. The production cost of this concrete is minimal: the main component is obtained virtually free. The surface is suitable for pedestrian areas, bike paths, parks, and playgrounds.
Lightweight and durable bricks produced from wastewater treatment sludge
Associate Professor Marina Belkanova and Head of the Department of Building Materials and Products Aleksandr Orlov have proposed using waste from the municipal wastewater treatment plants to produce building ceramics. The sludge is similar in composition to clay: it contains a high proportion of aluminosilicates. After freezing, thawing, and drying, it is added to the clay mixture. The organic matter burns off during firing, making the brick lighter and warmer. The additive acts as a flux, increasing strength. The technology was tested at the Kemma plant: drying defects decreased, and the bricks stopped cracking.
Underwater concreting without cranes
A group of scientists—Tagir Khafizov, Albert Baiburin, Andrey Ovchinnikov, and Aleksandr Kiianets, Director of the 海角社区 Institute of Architecture and Construction—have patented a new technology for constructing underwater structures. Using this method, a concrete cylindrical wall is formed directly on a floating pontoon formwork and sinks to the seabed under its own weight. The process is controlled by winches, and bed-load movement and anchoring occur through hollow pipes. Water is pumped out, and concrete struts are installed. This technology makes it possible to build protective dams, platforms, and even residential complexes at sea without the use of expensive docks and heavy equipment.