Improving Mechanical Properties of Sand Using Biopolymers
Publication: Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering
Volume 139, Issue 8
Abstract
Natural polymers (biopolymers) are discussed as environmentally friendly and sustainable grouting chemicals. This paper presents guidelines for selecting potentially useful biopolymers for strengthening cohesionless soil. Agar and six modified starches were identified for further study over a range of concentrations (1–4% agar and 0.5–1% starch). Experimental results demonstrated the compatibility of agar and starch. Depending on the biopolymer concentration, the unconfined compressive strength of the sand treated with agar and starch biopolymers ranged from 158 to 487 kPa. Triaxial compression tests over a range of confining pressures also indicated that the biopolymers effectively increased the cohesion intercept and stiffness of the treated sand.
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Acknowledgments
The first author acknowledges the Irish Research Council (IRC) for financial support under the Embark Postgraduate Research Scholarship Scheme 2010 (RS 2010/2571). Special thanks are also due to Mr. Marin Carney and Mr. Eoin Dunne for assistance in performing the laboratory tests.
References
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering
Volume 139 • Issue 8 • August 2013
Pages: 1402 - 1406
Copyright
© 2013 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Feb 18, 2012
Accepted: Oct 31, 2012
Published online: Nov 3, 2012
Published in print: Aug 1, 2013
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