Technical Papers
Mar 19, 2024

Experimental Study on Multiscale Engineering Properties of EICP Combined with Xanthan Gum Solidified Sand

Publication: Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering
Volume 36, Issue 6

Abstract

In this study, enzyme-induced carbonate precipitation (EICP) combined with xanthan gum curing technology was used to improve the engineering properties of standard sand, and the curing effect of EICP combined with different xanthan gum contents was studied by macroscopic tests such as unconfined compressive strength, direct shear, permeability, calcium carbonate content, and microscopic tests such as scanning electron microscope and nuclear magnetic resonance. The results show that the unconfined compressive strength, shear strength, cohesion and internal friction angle of EICP combined with xanthan gum solidified sand increases with the increase of xanthan gum content and reaches the maximum value at the content of 2%, in which the increase of unconfined compressive strength, shear strength, and cohesion is significant; further, the increase of internal friction angle is small. The permeability coefficient of EICP combined with xanthan gum solidified sand decreases with the increase of xanthan gum content, and the permeability coefficient of 2% xanthan gum is only 65.4% that of pure EICP treatment. The incorporation of xanthan gum promotes the deposition of calcium carbonate, increases the viscosity of the reaction solution, and produces colloidal encapsulation and bonding effect on the sand particles. In addition, the incorporation of xanthan gum effectively reduces the porosity of solidified sand and greatly reduces the proportion of large pores and medium pores by changing the pore size, which greatly improves the pore structure.

Get full access to this article

View all available purchase options and get full access to this article.

Data Availability Statement

The data used in this work are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

Acknowledgments

This work was funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Nos. 52268059 and 51609114) and Jiangxi Provincial Natural Science Foundation General Project (No. 20232BAB204079).

References

Ayeldeen, M., A. Negm, M. El-Sawwaf, and M. Kitazume. 2017. “Enhancing mechanical behaviors of collapsible soil using two biopolymers.” J. Rock Mech. Geotech. 9 (2): 329–339. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jrmge.2016.11.007.
Chang, I., J. Im, and G. C. Cho. 2016. “Introduction of microbial biopolymers in soil treatment for future environmentally-friendly and sustainable geotechnical engineering.” Sustainability 8 (3): 251–273. https://doi.org/10.3390/su8030251.
Cheng, L., and M. A. Shahin. 2016. “Urease active bioslurry: A novel soil improvement approach based on microbially induced carbonate precipitation.” Can. Geotech. J. 53 (4): 1376–1385. https://doi.org/10.1139/cgj-2015-0635.
Chinese Standard. 2019. Standard for geotechnical test method. GBT 50123-2019. Beijing: Chinese Standard Press.
Chinese Standard. 2021. Test method for strength of cement mortar (ISO method). GB/T 17671-2021. Beijing: Chinese Standard Press.
Cuccurullo, A., D. Gallipoli, A. W. Bruno, C. Augarde, P. Hughes, and C. L. Borderie. 2019. “Soil stabilization against water erosion via calcite precipitation by plant-derived urease.” In Vol. 40 of Geotechnical research for land protection and development. CNRIG 2019. Lecture notes in civil engineering, 753–762. Cham: Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-21359-6_80.
Cui, M., H. H. Xiong, J. J. Zheng, S. Y. Lv, M. J. Cui, X. Fu, and S. Y. Han. 2023. “Variable research on engineering characteristics of soybean urease reinforced sand.” KSCE J. Civ. Eng. 27 (8): 3313–3322. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12205-023-1959-y.
Cui, M. J., H. J. Lai, T. Hoang, and J. Chu. 2021. “One-phase-low-pH enzyme induced carbonate precipitation (EICP) method for soil improvement.” Acta Geotech. 16 (2): 481–489. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11440-020-01043-2.
Cui, M. J., H. J. Lai, S. F. Wu, and J. Chu. 2022. “Comparison of soil improvement methods using crude soybean enzyme, bacterial enzyme or bacteria induced carbonate precipitation.” Géotechnique 74 (1): 18–26. https://doi.org/10.1680/jgeot.21.00131.
Dilrukshi, R. A. N., and S. Kawasaki. 2019. “Effect of plant-derived urease-induced carbonate formation on the strength enhancement of sandy soil.” In Ecological wisdom inspired restoration engineering. Singapore: Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-0149-0_5.
Dong, J., and X. B. Liu. 2022. “Performance of traditional tabia improved by enzyme induced calcite precipitation technology.” J. Build. Mater. 25 (8): 853–859. https://doi.org/10.3969/j.issn.1007-9629.2022.08.012.
Fang, C. H., J. He, B. Y. Yan, Y. S. Qi, and Y. Zhang. 2019. “Experiment study on soybean urease curing soil surface to prevent runoff erosion.” [In Chinese.] Henan Sci. 37 (11): 1777–1783.
Gao, Y. F., J. He, X. Y. Tang, and J. Chu. 2019. “Calcium carbonate precipitation catalyzed by soybean urease as an improvement method for fine-grained soil.” Soils Found. 59 (5): 1631–1637. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sandf.2019.03.014.
Gao, Y. F., H. Meng, J. He, Y. S. Qi, and L. Hang. 2020. “Field trial on use of soybean crude extract for carbonate precipitation and wind erosion control of sandy soil.” J. Cent. South Univ. 27 (11): 3320–3333. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11771-020-4549-x.
Hamdan, N., and E. Kavazanjian. 2016. “Enzyme-induced carbonate mineral precipitation for fugitive dust control.” Géotechnique 66 (7): 546–555. https://doi.org/10.1680/jgeot.15.P.168.
He, J., C. H. Fang, L. Hang, Y. S. Qi, X. Y. Mao, B. Y. Yan, Y. D. Zhou, and Y. F. Gao. 2021. “Enzyme induced carbonate precipitation for soil internal erosion control under water seepage.” Geomech. Eng. 26 (3): 289–299. https://doi.org/10.12989/GAE.2021.26.3.289.
He, J., C. H. Fang, X. Y. Mao, Y. S. Qi, Y. D. Zhou, H. L. Kou, and L. Xiao. 2022. “Enzyme-induced carbonate precipitation for the protection of earthen dikes and embankments under surface runoff: Laboratory investigations.” J. Ocean Univ. China 21 (2): 306–314. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11802-022-4821-9.
Imran, M. A., K. Nakashima, and S. Kawasaki. 2021. “Bio-mediated soil improvement using plant derived enzyme in addition to magnesium ion.” Crystals 11 (5): 516. https://doi.org/10.3390/cryst11050516.
Javadi, N., H. Khodadadi, N. Hamdan, and E. Kavazanjian. 2018. “EICP treatment of soil by using urease enzyme extracted from watermelon seeds.” In Vol. 296 of Proc., IFCEE, 115–124. Reston, VA: ASCE.
Joga, J. R., and B. J. S. Varaprasad. 2020. “Effect of xanthan gum biopolymer on dispersive properties of soils.” World J. Eng. 17 (4): 563–571. https://doi.org/10.1108/WJE-05-2020-0152.
Khodadadi, T. H., N. Javadi, V. Krishnan, N. Hamdan, and E. Kavazanjian. 2020. “Crude urease extract for biocementation.” J. Mater. Civ. Eng. 32 (12): 04020374. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)MT.1943-5533.0003466.
Lai, H. J., M. J. Cui, and J. Chu. 2023. “Effect of pH on soil improvement using one-phase-low-pH MICP or EICP biocementation method.” Acta Geotech. 18 (6): 3259–3272. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11440-022-01759-3.
Lang, C. P., M. Ma, L. D. Qiu, Y. J. Yang, and M. D. Li. 2021. “Study on the improving effect of soybean urease induced calcium carbonate precipitation on the bearing capacity of sand ground: Based on results from static cone penetration tests.” Geol. J. China Univ. 27 (6): 784–788. https://doi.org/10.16108/j.issn1006-7493.2020212.
Lee, S., and J. Kim. 2020. “An experimental study on enzymatic-induced carbonate precipitation using yellow soybeans for soil stabilization.” KSCE J. Civ. Eng. 24 (7): 2026–2037. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12205-020-1659-9.
Lemboye, K., A. Almajed, W. Hamid, and M. Arab. 2021. “Permeability investigation on sand treated using enzyme-induced carbonate precipitation and biopolymers.” Innov. Infrastruct. Solutions 6 (3): 167. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41062-021-00530-z.
Li, C., G. Y. Shi, H. M. Wu, C. Y. Wang, and Y. Gao. 2021. “Experimental study on bio-mineralization for dispersed soil improvement based on enzyme induced calcite precipitate technology.” Rock Soil Mech. 42 (2): 333–342. https://doi.org/10.16285/j.rsm.2020.0889.
Li, S., C. Li, D. Yao, and S. Wang. 2020. “Feasibility of microbially induced carbonate precipitation and straw checkerboard barriers on desertification control and ecological restoration.” Ecol. Eng. 152 (Jun): 105883. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoleng.2020.105883.
Miao, L. C., L. Y. Wu, and X. H. Sun. 2020. “Enzyme-catalysed mineralisation experiment study to solidify desert sands.” Sci. Rep. 10 (1): 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-67566-6.
Miao, L. C., L. Y. Wu, X. H. Sun, X. Li, and J. Z. Zhang. 2019. “Method for solidifying desert sands with enzyme-catalysed mineralization.” Land Degrad. Dev. 31 (11): 1317–1324. https://doi.org/10.1002/ldr.3499.
Miftah, A., H. K. Tirkolaei, H. Bilsel, and H. E. Naggar. 2022. “Erodibility improvement and scour mitigation of beach sand by enzymatic induced carbonate precipitation.” Geomech. Energy Environ. 32 (Dec): 100354. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gete.2022.100354.
Mohammadi, M., G. Habibagahi, and N. Hataf. 2021. “A bioinspired technique for improving the interaction between cohesive soil and geotextile reinforcements.” Int. J. Geosynth. Ground Eng. 7 (2): 34. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40891-021-00272-z.
Muhammed, A. S., K. A. Kassim, M. U. Zango, K. Ahmad, and J. Makinda. 2021. “Enhancing the strength of sandy soil through enzyme-induced calcite precipitation.” Int. J. Geosynth. Ground Eng. 7 (2): 45. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40891-021-00289-4.
Nam, I. H., C. M. Chon, K. Y. Jung, S. G. Choi, H. Choi, and S. S. Park. 2014. “Calcite precipitation by ureolytic plant (Canavalia ensiformis) extracts as effective biomaterials.” KSCE J. Civ. Eng. 19 (6): 1620–1625. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12205-014-0558-3.
Singh, S. P., and R. Das. 2019. “Geo-engineering properties of expansive soil treated with xanthan gum biopolymer.” Geomech. Geoeng. 15 (2): 107–122. https://doi.org/10.1080/17486025.2019.1632495.
Soldo, A., M. Miletić, and M. L. Auad. 2020. “Biopolymers as a sustainable solution for the enhancement of soil mechanical properties.” Sci. Rep. 10 (1): 267–279. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-57135-x.
Sujatha, E. R., S. Atchaya, A. Sivasaran, and R. S. Keerdthe. 2020. “Enhancing the geotechnical properties of soil using xanthan gum—An eco-friendly alternative to traditional stabilizers.” Bull. Eng. Geol. Environ. 80 (2): 1157–1167. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10064-020-02010-7.
Swain, K., M. Mahamaya, S. Alam, and S. K. Das. 2017. “Stabilization of dispersive soil using biopolymer.” Sustainable Civ. Infrastruct. 319 (4): 132–147. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-61612-4_11.
Wei, L., S. X. Chai, Z. Liu, P. Wang, and F. Li. 2022. “Evaluation on compressive strength of fiber reinforced soil under freeze-thaw cycles by scanning election microscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance.” Rock Soil Mech. 43 (S2): 163–170. https://doi.org/10.16285/j.rsm.2020.1739.
Whiffin, V. S. 2004. Microbial CaCO3 precipitation for the production of biocement. Perth West, Australia: Morduch Univ.
Wu, L. Y., L. C. Miao, X. H. Sun, R. F. Chen, and C. C. Wang. 2020. “Experimental study on sand solidification using plant-derived urease-induced calcium carbonate precipitation.” Chin. J. Geotech. Eng. 42 (4): 714–720. https://doi.org/10.11779/CJGE202004014.
Wu, L. Y., L. C. Miao, X. H. Sun, R. F. Chen, and H. X. Wang. 2021. “Enzyme-induced carbonate precipitation combined with polyvinyl alcohol to solidify Aeolian sand.” J. Mater. Civ. Eng. 33 (12): 04021373. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)MT.1943-5533.0004009.
Wu, Y. W., J. Hu, W. X. Zhang, S. C. Wang, and W. B. Liu. 2018. “Research status review of microbial induced carbonate precipitation technology in reinforcing sand.” Sub. Eng. 15 (5): 6–11. https://doi.org/10.13379/j.issn.1003-8825.2018.05.02.
Xiao, Y., H. Chen, A. W. Stuedlein, T. M. Evans, J. Chu, L. Cheng, N. Jiang, H. Lin, H. Liu, and H. M. Aboel-Naga. 2020. “Restraint of particle breakage by biotreatment method.” J. Geotech. Geoenviron. Eng. 146 (11): 04020123. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)GT.1943-5606.0002384.
Xiao, Y., H. Li, J. Shi, J. Hu, L. Zhang, and H. Liu. 2023. “Effect of particle size on small strain stiffness of biotreated sands.” Transp. Geotech. 41 (Jul): 101027. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trgeo.2023.101027.
Zhang, J. W., Y. Han, H. L. Bian, X. S. Huang, X. J. Wang, and B. B. Li. 2020. “Experimental research on wind resistance of silty soil cemented by soybean urease induced calcium carbonate precipitation.” Ind. Constr. 50 (12): 19–24. https://doi.org/10.13204/j.gyjzG20021404.

Information & Authors

Information

Published In

Go to Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering
Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering
Volume 36Issue 6June 2024

History

Received: Jul 25, 2023
Accepted: Nov 15, 2023
Published online: Mar 19, 2024
Published in print: Jun 1, 2024
Discussion open until: Aug 19, 2024

Permissions

Request permissions for this article.

Authors

Affiliations

Meng Cui, Ph.D. [email protected]
Associate Professor, School of Civil and Architectural Engineering, Nanchang Institute of Technology, Nanchang 330099, China. Email: [email protected]
Huihui Xiong [email protected]
Master’s Student, School of Civil and Architectural Engineering, Nanchang Institute of Technology, Nanchang 330099, China (corresponding author). Email: [email protected]
Junjie Zheng, Ph.D. [email protected]
Professor, School of Civil and Hydraulic Engineering, Huazhong Univ. of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, China. Email: [email protected]
Mingjuan Cui, Ph.D. [email protected]
Associate Professor, College of Civil Engineering, Fuzhou Univ., Fuzhou 350116, China. Email: [email protected]
Master’s Student, Jiangsu Jianyuan Construction Co. Ltd., No.10 South Ring Rd., Suzhou, Jiangsu 215000, China. Email: [email protected]
Hanjiang Lai, Ph.D. [email protected]
Professor, Zijin School of Geology and Mining, Fuzhou Univ., Fuzhou 350116, China. Email: [email protected]

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.

View Options

Get Access

Access content

Please select your options to get access

Log in/Register Log in via your institution (Shibboleth)
ASCE Members: Please log in to see member pricing

Purchase

Save for later Information on ASCE Library Cards
ASCE Library Cards let you download journal articles, proceedings papers, and available book chapters across the entire ASCE Library platform. ASCE Library Cards remain active for 24 months or until all downloads are used. Note: This content will be debited as one download at time of checkout.

Terms of Use: ASCE Library Cards are for individual, personal use only. Reselling, republishing, or forwarding the materials to libraries or reading rooms is prohibited.
ASCE Library Card (5 downloads)
$105.00
Add to cart
ASCE Library Card (20 downloads)
$280.00
Add to cart
Buy Single Article
$35.00
Add to cart

Get Access

Access content

Please select your options to get access

Log in/Register Log in via your institution (Shibboleth)
ASCE Members: Please log in to see member pricing

Purchase

Save for later Information on ASCE Library Cards
ASCE Library Cards let you download journal articles, proceedings papers, and available book chapters across the entire ASCE Library platform. ASCE Library Cards remain active for 24 months or until all downloads are used. Note: This content will be debited as one download at time of checkout.

Terms of Use: ASCE Library Cards are for individual, personal use only. Reselling, republishing, or forwarding the materials to libraries or reading rooms is prohibited.
ASCE Library Card (5 downloads)
$105.00
Add to cart
ASCE Library Card (20 downloads)
$280.00
Add to cart
Buy Single Article
$35.00
Add to cart

Media

Figures

Other

Tables

Share

Share

Copy the content Link

Share with email

Email a colleague

Share