Construction & Engineering

The Construction and Engineering sector encounters considerable obstacles from biodeterioration.  Biodeterioration is an undesirable change in the properties of a building material caused by the activity of microorganisms.  Sometime, the result of biodeterioration may be purely ascetic, such as the discoloration of brickwork or stone due to growth of complex microbial communities (often termed as biofilms) on the surface of the materials or the production of coloured pigments by microbes on the material surface.  However, more seriously, biodeterioration may be associated with a structural or mechanical change, which can result in weakening of building materials or complete loss of structural integrity and ultimately lead to increased maintenance expenses and costly project delays.

Biofouling can impact both water and fuel systems. Microbial biofilms can clog filters and pipes, leading to energy inefficiencies and frequent maintenance.  Cooling water systems can experience significant microbial growth, leading to the formation of biofilms and ultimately significant biofouling which can affect equipment performance.

Fuel systems can also face persistent microbial contamination, especially with diesel and biodiesel used to power on-site machinery.  Water accumulation in fuel tanks provides the perfect environment for microbial growth, causing formation of sludges made up of bacteria and fungi, which clog fuel lines and affects fuel quality; this microbial contamination leads to costly delays and increased maintenance for construction machinery and generators.

microbiologically influenced corrosion is also a significant concern for the structural integrity of metals used in industries such as construction, oil and gas, power generation and water distribution.  microbiologically influenced corrosion is estimated to be the cause of around 20% of all corrosion failures.  The principal microbial corrosion mechanism involves bacteria known as Sulphate Reducing Bacteria (SRB).  However, there are other equally detrimental microbial groups such as Iron bacteria and acid producing bacteria (APB) that are responsible for premature failures. microbiologically influenced corrosion accelerates metal degradation, due to the localised corrosion, reducing structural integrity, particularly in high-humidity or water-exposed environments.

To mitigate the risk of microbiologically influenced corrosion, the construction and engineering sector uses a combination of anti-corrosion coatings, microbial monitoring, and biocides.  Material selection, such as corrosion-resistant alloys and reinforced concrete, helps prevent microbial contamination.  As sustainable building practices increase, effective microbial management will remain essential to ensuring the long-term safety and durability of construction projects.