Investigation into Xanthan Gum Biopolymer on Mitigating Cracking and Erosion Behavior of Soil
Publication: Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering
Volume 35, Issue 12
Abstract
The soil on the slope may experience more severe erosion as a result of the surface cracks caused by desiccation. Xanthan gum (XG) was introduced to reduce the soil’s tendency to erode and crack in order to increase the stability of slope soil. In this study, the microstructure and behaviors of sand-admixed soil (0%–70% sand content) with various XG contents (0.05%–0.25% by the mass of dry soil) were investigated using the desiccation cracking tests, erosion tests, and scanning electron microscope (SEM) technique. The findings showed that soil water evaporation, crack resistance, and erosion resistance are significantly influenced by sand and XG content. The initial evaporation rate increased by 15.6%, the drying time decreased by 11 h, and the surface crack ratio dropped by 11.9% as the sand content rose from 0% to 70%. The initial evaporation rate of the clay decreased by 11.1% with a 0.25% XG content, while the residual water content increased by nearly six times and there were no soil cracks. Additionally, the sand-admixed soil would not crack and the erosion significantly decreased with 0.15% XG content, demonstrating that this level of XG is the most efficient and cost-effective for controlling both cracking and erosion. Because soil contains macropores, it was discovered that higher sand content accelerates water evaporation, lowers matric suction, increases friction and fracture toughness, which prevents crack formation. Because of its potent water adsorption and pore clogging properties, the addition of XG reduced water evaporation and improved the soil’s ability to hold water. Besides, due to the inter-particle bonds and formed network structure, biopolymer treatment effectively improved soil cohesion and conferred cracking resistance. The generation of preferential flow and the occurrence of infiltration, which promote the soil’s antierosion ability, were also prevented by the presence of XG.
Get full access to this article
View all available purchase options and get full access to this article.
Data Availability Statement
All data, models, and code generated or used during the study appear in the published article.
Acknowledgments
This research was funded by Open Project of Technology Innovation Center for Ecological Monitoring & Restoration Project on Land (Arable), Ministry of Natural Resources (Grant No. GTST2021-006), and National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 41877212).
References
Al-Taie, A., M. M. Disfani, R. Evans, A. Arulrajah, and S. Horpibulsuk. 2016. “Swell-shrink cycles of lime stabilized expansive subgrade.” Procedia Eng. 143 (Jan): 615–622. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.proeng.2016.06.083.
Ayeldeen, M. K., A. M. Negm, and M. A. El Sawwaf. 2016. “Evaluating the physical characteristics of biopolymer/soil mixtures.” Arabian J. Geosci. 9 (5): 329–339. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-016-2366-1.
Biju, M. S., and D. N. Arnepalli. 2020. “Effect of biopolymers on permeability of sand-bentonite mixtures.” J. Rock Mech. Geotech. 12 (5): 1093–1102. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jrmge.2020.02.004.
Bozyigit, I., A. Javadi, and S. Altun. 2021. “Strength properties of xanthan gum and guar gum treated kaolin at different water contents.” J. Rock Mech. Geotech. 13 (5): 1160–1172. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jrmge.2021.06.007.
Bryan, R. B. 2000. “Soil erodibility and processes of water erosion on hillslope.” Geomorphology 32 (3–4): 385–415. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0169-555X(99)00105-1.
Cai, Y., B. Shi, C. W. W. Ng, and C. S. Tang. 2006. “Effect of polypropylene fibre and lime admixture on engineering properties of clayey soil.” Eng. Geol. 87 (3–7): 230–240. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enggeo.2006.07.007.
Chang, I., T. P. T. An, J. Im, and G. C. Cho. 2017. “Soil-water characteristics of xanthan gum biopolymer containing soils.” In Proc., 19th Int. Conf. on Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering, 1091–1094. Seoul: Korean Geotechnical Society.
Chang, I., and G. C. Cho. 2019. “Shear strength behavior and parameters of microbial Gellan gum-treated soils: From sand to clay.” Acta Geotech. 14 (Apr): 361–375. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11440-018-0641-x.
Chang, I., J. Im, A. K. Prasidhi, and G. C. Cho. 2015. “Effects of xanthan gum biopolymer on soil strengthening.” Constr. Build. Mater. 74 (Jan): 65–72. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2014.10.026.
Chang, I., Y. M. Kwon, J. Im, and G. C. Cho. 2019. “Soil consistency and interparticle characteristics of xanthan gum biopolymer-containing soils with pore-fluid variation.” Can. Geotech. J. 56 (8): 1206–1213. https://doi.org/10.1139/cgj-2018-0254.
Costa, S., J. Kodikara, and B. Shannon. 2013. “Salient factors controlling desiccation cracking of clay in laboratory experiments.” Géotechnique 63 (1): 18–29. https://doi.org/10.1680/geot.9.P.105.
García, M. C., M. C. Alfaro, N. Calero, and J. Muñoz. 2011. “Influence of gellan gum concentration on the dynamic viscoelasticity and transient flow of fluid gels.” Biochem. Eng. J. 55 (2): 73–81. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bej.2011.02.017.
Hataf, N., P. Ghadir, and N. Ranjbar. 2018. “Investigation of soil stabilization using chitosan biopolymer.” J. Cleaner Prod. 170 (Jan): 1493–1500. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2017.09.256.
Kolias, S., V. Kasselouri-Rigopoulou, and A. Karahalios. 2005. “Stabilisation of clayey soils with high calcium fly ash and cement.” Cem. Concr. Compos. 27 (2): 301–313. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2004.02.019.
Lawler, D. M. 2010. “The measurement of river bank erosion and lateral channel change: A review.” Earth Surf. Processes Landforms 18 (9): 777–821. https://doi.org/10.1002/esp.3290180905.
Liu, C., C. S. Tang, B. Shi, and W. B. Suo. 2013. “Automatic quantification of crack patterns by image processing.” Comput. Geosci. 57 (Aug): 77–80. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cageo.2013.04.008.
Liu, J., B. Shi, H. Jiang, H. Huang, G. Wang, and T. Kamai. 2011. “Research on the stabilization treatment of clay slope topsoil by organic polymer soil stabilizer.” Eng. Geol. 117 (1–2): 114–120. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enggeo.2010.10.011.
Melton, L. D., L. Mindt, D. A. Rees, and G. R. Sanderson. 1976. “Covalent structure of the extracellular polysaccharide from Xanthomonas campestris: Evidence from partial hydrolysis studies.” Carbohydr. Res. 46 (2): 245–257. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0008-6215(00)84296-2.
Ni, J., G. L. Hao, J. Q. Chen, L. Ma, and X. Y. Geng. 2021. “The optimisation analysis of sand-clay mixtures stabilised with Xanthan gum biopolymers.” Sustainability 13 (7): 3732. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13073732.
Ni, J., S. Li, L. Ma, and X. Geng. 2020. “Performance of soils enhanced with eco-friendly biopolymers in unconfined compression strength tests and fatigue loading tests.” Constr. Build. Mater. 263 (Dec): 120039. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2020.120039.
Nouri, H., P. Ghadir, H. Fatehi, N. Shariatmadari, and M. Saberian. 2022. “Effects of protein-based biopolymer on geotechnical properties of salt-affected sandy soil.” Geotech. Geol. Eng. 40 (2): 5739–5753. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10706-022-02245-z.
Novara, A., A. Pisciotta, M. Minacapilli, A. Maltese, F. Capodici, A. Cerdà, and L. Gristina. 2018. “The impact of soil erosion on soil fertility and vine vigor. A multidisciplinary approach based on field, laboratory and remote sensing approaches.” Sci. Total Environ. 622 (May): 474–480. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.11.272.
Nugent, R. A., G. P. Zhang, and R. P. Gambrell. 2009. “Effect of exopolymers on the liquid limit of clays and its engineering implications.” Transp. Res. Rec. 2101 (1): 34–43. https://doi.org/10.3141/2101-05.
Panagos, P., P. Borrelli, and D. Robinson. 2020. “FAO calls for actions to reduce global soil erosion.” Mitigation Adapt. Strategies Global Change 25 (May): 789–790. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11027-019-09892-3.
Prakasha, K. S., and V. S. Chandrasekaran. 2005. “Behavior of marine sand-clay mixtures under static and cyclic triaxial shear.” J. Geotech. Geoenviron. Eng. 131 (2): 213–222. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)1090-0241(2005)131:2(213).
Prikryl, R., and Z. Weishauptova. 2010. “Hierarchical porosity of bentonite-based buffer and its modification due to increased temperature and hydration.” Appl. Clay Sci. 47 (1–2): 163–170. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clay.2009.10.005.
Rayhani, M. H. T., E. K. Yanful, and A. Fakher. 2007. “Desiccation-induced cracking and its effect on the hydraulic conductivity of clayey soils from Iran.” Can. Geotech. J. 44 (Mar): 276–283. https://doi.org/10.1139/t06-125.
Shariatmadari, N., M. Reza, A. Tasuji, P. Ghadir, and A. A. Javadi. 2020. “Experimental study on the effect of chitosan biopolymer on sandy soil stabilization.” In Proc., 4th European Conf. on Unsaturated Soils (E-UNSAT), 195. Lisboa, Portugal: Instituto Superior Técnico de Lisboa.
Tang, C. S., Q. Cheng, T. Leng, B. Shi, H. Zeng, and H. I. Inyang. 2020. “Effects of wetting-drying cycles and desiccation cracks on mechanical behavior of an unsaturated soil.” Catena 194 (Nov): 104721. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.catena.2020.104721.
Tang, C. S., Y. J. Cui, B. Shi, A. M. Tang, and C. Liu. 2011a. “Desiccation and cracking behavior of clay layer from slurry state under wetting-drying cycles.” Geoderma 166 (1): 111–118. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geoderma.2011.07.018.
Tang, C. S., B. Shi, Y. J. Cui, C. Liu, and K. Gu. 2012. “Desiccation cracking behavior of polypropylene fiber-reinforced clayey soil.” Can. Geotech. J. 49 (9): 1088–1101. https://doi.org/10.1139/t2012-067.
Tang, C. S., B. Shi, C. Liu, L. Gao, and H. I. Inyang. 2010. “Experimental investigation of the desiccation cracking behavior of soil layers during drying.” J. Mater. Civ. Eng. 23 (6): 873–878. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)MT.1943-5533.0000242.
Tang, C. S., B. Shi, C. Liu, W. B. Suo, and L. Gao. 2011b. “Experimental characterization of shrinkage and desiccation cracking in thin clay layer.” Appl. Clay Sci. 52 (1–2): 69–77. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clay.2011.01.032.
Tang, C. S., B. Shi, C. Liu, L. Z. Zhao, and B. J. Wang. 2008. “Influencing factors of geometrical structure of surface shrinkage cracks in clayey soils.” Eng. Geol. 101 (3–4): 204–217. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enggeo.2008.05.005.
Tingle, J. S., J. K. Newman, S. L. Larson, C. A. Weiss, and J. F. Rushing. 2007. “Stabilization mechanisms of nontraditional additives.” Transp. Res. Rec. 1989 (1): 59–67. https://doi.org/10.3141/1989-49.
Wang, J. J., S. Y. Huang, and J. F. Hu. 2016. “Mode II fracture toughness of a clay mixed with sand.” Eng. Fract. Mech. 165 (Oct): 19–23. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engfracmech.2016.08.023.
Wang, Q., C. Li, Y. Liu, D. Sun, X. Zhang, and B. Ma. 2019. “Mechanical properties of saline soil under the influence of different factors.” Fresenius Environ. Bull. 28 (2A): 1366–1373.
Wuepper, D., P. Borrelli, and R. Finger. 2020. “Countries and the global rate of soil erosion.” Nat. Sustainability 3 (1): 51–55. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41893-019-0438-4.
Zhang, H. Y., Y. Tan, D. J. He, and G. C. Zhang. 2019. “Influence mechanism of quartz sand content on drying shrinkage and crack of paste-like bentonite-sand mixtures as buffer/backfill materials.” [In Chinese.] Chin. J. Geotech. Eng. 41 (2): 277–285.
Zhang, Y. P., K. Gu, J. W. Li, C. S. Tang, Z. T. Shen, and B. Shi. 2020. “Effect of biochar on desiccation cracking characteristics of clayey soils.” Geoderma 364 (Apr): 114–182. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geoderma.2020.114182.
Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering
Volume 35 • Issue 12 • December 2023
Copyright
© 2023 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Nov 12, 2022
Accepted: Apr 19, 2023
Published online: Sep 27, 2023
Published in print: Dec 1, 2023
Discussion open until: Feb 27, 2024
Authors
Metrics & Citations
Metrics
Citations
Download citation
If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download.