Study On Shear Response Of Biopolymer-MICP Treated Sand-Steel Interfaces

This paper explores the influence of introducing a natural biopolymer, gum of Prunus scoparia (P. scoparia), to Microbially Induced Calcite Precipitation (MICP) treated soil-steel interfaces. The conventional MICP method, involving low-rate injection of cementation solutions into the soil, faces limitations in terms of cost and practical applicability at a field scale. To address this, the natural biopolymer is incorporated into the MICP process, enabling simultaneous application of the cementation solution and gum without controlled injection rates. Through a series of modified direct shear tests, the study investigates the impact of the biopolymer addition to the cementation solution and its potential to reduce the dependency of shear strength parameters on the cementation solution injection rate in treated sand-steel interfaces. The results demonstrate a significant enhancement in shear strength when the biopolymer is introduced into the MICP-treated soil-steel interfaces, independent of the cementation solution’s application rate. This innovative approach holds promise for achieving more efficient soil stabilization compared to the traditional MICP method.