Field experimentation of bio-cementation using low-cost cementation media for preservation of slope surface

Microbial induced carbonate precipitation (MICP) is a promising bio-cementation method that involves ureolytic bacteria to improve the geotechnical properties of soil. The laboratory-scale studies carried out in the recent past showed that the MICP can be a potential alternative for slope surface pr...

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Main Authors: Sivakumar Gowthaman, Hiromu Koizumi, Kazunori Nakashima, Satoru Kawasaki
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2023-07-01
Series:Case Studies in Construction Materials
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214509523002668
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author Sivakumar Gowthaman
Hiromu Koizumi
Kazunori Nakashima
Satoru Kawasaki
author_facet Sivakumar Gowthaman
Hiromu Koizumi
Kazunori Nakashima
Satoru Kawasaki
author_sort Sivakumar Gowthaman
collection DOAJ
description Microbial induced carbonate precipitation (MICP) is a promising bio-cementation method that involves ureolytic bacteria to improve the geotechnical properties of soil. The laboratory-scale studies carried out in the recent past showed that the MICP can be a potential alternative for slope surface preservation. However, the use of analytical-grade chemicals makes this method too expensive, limiting the applicability of the method especially when implicated at field-scale. The purpose of this research work was to assess the effectiveness of using inexpensive low-grade chemicals for the in-situ stabilization of slope surface. Two test plots were established at the project site (Hokkaido expressway slope, Japan) and subjected to MICP treatment via surficial spraying. One was treated using the cementation media formulated by low-grade chemicals (inclusive of fertilizer urea, snow-melting agent and beer-yeast), while the typical analytical-grade media was used to treat the other plot. After 20 days of treatment, the treated slope surfaces were evaluated by surface strength, CaCO3 content, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses. The outcomes indicated that the surface was significantly improved by low-grade chemicals; a stiff surface layer was desirably formed to the depth of 5 – 10 cm with the surface strength and CaCO3 content in the ranges of 0.14 – 1.02 MPa and 0.56 – 3.7%, respectively. The results are compared and discussed, and the challenges in the use of low-grade chemicals are pointed out for the way forward. Cost analysis disclosed that the material cost of the cementation media was reduced by around thirty-seven-fold (by 97%) compared to the analytical-grade media. While demonstrating the potential use of low-grade chemicals, the field-scale experiment could contribute to narrow down the gap between the present-state and real-scale deployment of MICP technology.
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spelling doaj.art-246646cb5bf64213802128c9890140f52023-06-21T06:54:26ZengElsevierCase Studies in Construction Materials2214-50952023-07-0118e02086Field experimentation of bio-cementation using low-cost cementation media for preservation of slope surfaceSivakumar Gowthaman0Hiromu Koizumi1Kazunori Nakashima2Satoru Kawasaki3Department of Engineering Technology, Faculty of Technology, University of Jaffna, Ariviyal Nagar, Kilinochchi 44000, Sri Lanka; Corresponding author.Division of Sustainable Resources Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Hokkaido University, Kita 13, Nishi 8, Kita-Ku, Sapporo 060–8628, JapanDivision of Sustainable Resources Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Hokkaido University, Kita 13, Nishi 8, Kita-Ku, Sapporo 060–8628, JapanDivision of Sustainable Resources Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Hokkaido University, Kita 13, Nishi 8, Kita-Ku, Sapporo 060–8628, JapanMicrobial induced carbonate precipitation (MICP) is a promising bio-cementation method that involves ureolytic bacteria to improve the geotechnical properties of soil. The laboratory-scale studies carried out in the recent past showed that the MICP can be a potential alternative for slope surface preservation. However, the use of analytical-grade chemicals makes this method too expensive, limiting the applicability of the method especially when implicated at field-scale. The purpose of this research work was to assess the effectiveness of using inexpensive low-grade chemicals for the in-situ stabilization of slope surface. Two test plots were established at the project site (Hokkaido expressway slope, Japan) and subjected to MICP treatment via surficial spraying. One was treated using the cementation media formulated by low-grade chemicals (inclusive of fertilizer urea, snow-melting agent and beer-yeast), while the typical analytical-grade media was used to treat the other plot. After 20 days of treatment, the treated slope surfaces were evaluated by surface strength, CaCO3 content, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses. The outcomes indicated that the surface was significantly improved by low-grade chemicals; a stiff surface layer was desirably formed to the depth of 5 – 10 cm with the surface strength and CaCO3 content in the ranges of 0.14 – 1.02 MPa and 0.56 – 3.7%, respectively. The results are compared and discussed, and the challenges in the use of low-grade chemicals are pointed out for the way forward. Cost analysis disclosed that the material cost of the cementation media was reduced by around thirty-seven-fold (by 97%) compared to the analytical-grade media. While demonstrating the potential use of low-grade chemicals, the field-scale experiment could contribute to narrow down the gap between the present-state and real-scale deployment of MICP technology.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214509523002668Microbial induced carbonate precipitation (MICP)Cementation mediaLow-grade chemicalsAnalytical-grade chemicalsSlope surfaceField-scale
spellingShingle Sivakumar Gowthaman
Hiromu Koizumi
Kazunori Nakashima
Satoru Kawasaki
Field experimentation of bio-cementation using low-cost cementation media for preservation of slope surface
Case Studies in Construction Materials
Microbial induced carbonate precipitation (MICP)
Cementation media
Low-grade chemicals
Analytical-grade chemicals
Slope surface
Field-scale
title Field experimentation of bio-cementation using low-cost cementation media for preservation of slope surface
title_full Field experimentation of bio-cementation using low-cost cementation media for preservation of slope surface
title_fullStr Field experimentation of bio-cementation using low-cost cementation media for preservation of slope surface
title_full_unstemmed Field experimentation of bio-cementation using low-cost cementation media for preservation of slope surface
title_short Field experimentation of bio-cementation using low-cost cementation media for preservation of slope surface
title_sort field experimentation of bio cementation using low cost cementation media for preservation of slope surface
topic Microbial induced carbonate precipitation (MICP)
Cementation media
Low-grade chemicals
Analytical-grade chemicals
Slope surface
Field-scale
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214509523002668
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