Role of Biochar in Drained Shear Strength Enhancement and Ammonium Removal of Biostimulated MICP-Treated Calcareous Sand
Publication: Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering
Volume 150, Issue 2
Abstract
Biostimulation through the enrichment of indigenous ureolytic bacteria has been proven to be a feasible approach for implementing microbially induced carbonate precipitation (MICP). To apply this method to real-world engineering situations, researchers are focusing on (1) increasing the cementation content to improve the mechanical performance of biocemented sand, and (2) minimizing the negative impact of ammonium, a harmful byproduct. In this study, biochars of different shapes (powdered or flaked) were used as additives in calcareous sand. The effects of biochar on shear strength improvement and ammonium removal were investigated through isotropically consolidated drained (CD) triaxial shear tests, as well as ammonium adsorption and leaching tests, respectively. Experimental results indicated that biochar positively impacted cementation content, particularly for powdered biochar with smaller particle sizes, which enhanced shear strength in CD tests. Microscopic analysis of biochar-amended biocemented sand revealed that biochar can serve as additional nucleation sites for precipitation. Moreover, the contributions of friction, dilatancy, and mobilized cohesion of biocemented sand at peak strength and in the maximum dilatancy state were elucidated. Furthermore, biochar demonstrated significant ammonium removal under both aqueous and sand column conditions. These findings hold practical significance for the stabilization of local calcareous sand, as well as for other coastal cities worldwide.
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Data Availability Statement
Some or all data, models, or code that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.
Acknowledgments
This study is financially supported by Natural Science Foundation of China (42007246), the Natural Science Foundation of China (42377166), the Hawaii Department of Transportation (2020-4R-SUPP), the Research Centre for Resources Engineering toward Carbon Neutrality of Hong Kong Polytechnic University (BBEJ), and the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities (RF1028623197).
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Published In
Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering
Volume 150 • Issue 2 • February 2024
Copyright
© 2023 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Mar 28, 2023
Accepted: Oct 11, 2023
Published online: Dec 14, 2023
Published in print: Feb 1, 2024
Discussion open until: May 14, 2024
ASCE Technical Topics:
- [Inorganic compounds]
- Ammonia
- Ashes
- Cement
- Chemicals
- Chemistry
- Concrete
- Drainage
- Engineering fundamentals
- Engineering materials (by type)
- Environmental engineering
- Geomechanics
- Geotechnical engineering
- Irrigation engineering
- Laboratory tests
- Material mechanics
- Material properties
- Materials engineering
- Organic compounds
- Shear strength
- Shear tests
- Soil mechanics
- Soil properties
- Soil strength
- Strength of materials
- Tests (by type)
- Triaxial tests
- Water and water resources
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