Embodied Energy in the Production of Guar and Xanthan Biopolymers and Their Cross-Linking Effect in Enhancing the Geotechnical Properties of Cohesive Soil
Traditional soil stabilization techniques, such as cement and lime, are known for their menacing effect on the environment through heavy carbon emissions. Sustainable soil stabilization methods are grabbing attention, and the utilization of biopolymers is surely one among them. Recent studies proved...
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MDPI AG
2023-09-01
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| Series: | Buildings |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/13/9/2304 |
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| author | M. Ashok Kumar Arif Ali Baig Moghal Kopparthi Venkata Vydehi Abdullah Almajed |
| author_facet | M. Ashok Kumar Arif Ali Baig Moghal Kopparthi Venkata Vydehi Abdullah Almajed |
| author_sort | M. Ashok Kumar |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Traditional soil stabilization techniques, such as cement and lime, are known for their menacing effect on the environment through heavy carbon emissions. Sustainable soil stabilization methods are grabbing attention, and the utilization of biopolymers is surely one among them. Recent studies proved the efficiency of biopolymers in enhancing the geotechnical properties to meet the requirements of the construction industry. The suitability of biopolymer application in different soils is still unexplored, and the carbon footprint analysis (CFA) of biopolymers is crucial in promoting the biopolymers as a promising sustainable soil stabilization method. This study attempts to investigate the out-turn of cross-linked biopolymer on soils exhibiting different plasticity characteristics (Medium & High compressibility) and to determine the Embodied carbon factor (ECF) for the selected biopolymers. Guar (G) and Xanthan (X) biopolymers were cross-linked at different proportions to enhance the geotechnical properties of soils. Atterberg’s limits, Compaction characteristics, and Unconfined Compressive Strength were chosen as performance indicators, and their values were analyzed at different combinations of biopolymers before and after cross-linking. The test results have shown that Atterberg’s limits of the soils increased with the addition of biopolymers, and it is attributed to the formation of hydrogels in the soil matrix. Compaction test results reveal that the Optimum Moisture Content (OMC) of biopolymer-modified soil increased, and Maximum Dry Density (MDD) reduced due to the resistance offered by hydrogel against compaction effort. Soils amended with biopolymers and cured for 14, 28, and 60 days have shown an appreciable improvement in Unconfined Compressive Strength (UCS) results. Microlevel analysis was carried out using SEM (Scanning Electron Microscopy) and FTIR (Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy) to formulate the mechanism responsible for the alteration in targeted performance indicators due to the cross-linking of biopolymers in the soil. The embodied energy in the production of both Guar and Xanthan biopolymers was calculated, and the obtained ECF values were 0.087 and 1.67, respectively. |
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| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T22:58:46Z |
| publishDate | 2023-09-01 |
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| spelling | doaj.art-df4a333e683a45058390ab665c39058b2023-11-19T09:52:12ZengMDPI AGBuildings2075-53092023-09-01139230410.3390/buildings13092304Embodied Energy in the Production of Guar and Xanthan Biopolymers and Their Cross-Linking Effect in Enhancing the Geotechnical Properties of Cohesive SoilM. Ashok Kumar0Arif Ali Baig Moghal1Kopparthi Venkata Vydehi2Abdullah Almajed3Department of Civil Engineering, CVR College of Engineering, Hyderabad 501510, Telangana, IndiaDepartment of Civil Engineering, National Institute of Technology Warangal, Warangal 506004, Telangana, IndiaDepartment of Civil Engineering, National Institute of Technology Warangal, Warangal 506004, Telangana, IndiaDepartment of Civil Engineering, College of Engineering, King Saud University, Riyadh 11421, Saudi ArabiaTraditional soil stabilization techniques, such as cement and lime, are known for their menacing effect on the environment through heavy carbon emissions. Sustainable soil stabilization methods are grabbing attention, and the utilization of biopolymers is surely one among them. Recent studies proved the efficiency of biopolymers in enhancing the geotechnical properties to meet the requirements of the construction industry. The suitability of biopolymer application in different soils is still unexplored, and the carbon footprint analysis (CFA) of biopolymers is crucial in promoting the biopolymers as a promising sustainable soil stabilization method. This study attempts to investigate the out-turn of cross-linked biopolymer on soils exhibiting different plasticity characteristics (Medium & High compressibility) and to determine the Embodied carbon factor (ECF) for the selected biopolymers. Guar (G) and Xanthan (X) biopolymers were cross-linked at different proportions to enhance the geotechnical properties of soils. Atterberg’s limits, Compaction characteristics, and Unconfined Compressive Strength were chosen as performance indicators, and their values were analyzed at different combinations of biopolymers before and after cross-linking. The test results have shown that Atterberg’s limits of the soils increased with the addition of biopolymers, and it is attributed to the formation of hydrogels in the soil matrix. Compaction test results reveal that the Optimum Moisture Content (OMC) of biopolymer-modified soil increased, and Maximum Dry Density (MDD) reduced due to the resistance offered by hydrogel against compaction effort. Soils amended with biopolymers and cured for 14, 28, and 60 days have shown an appreciable improvement in Unconfined Compressive Strength (UCS) results. Microlevel analysis was carried out using SEM (Scanning Electron Microscopy) and FTIR (Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy) to formulate the mechanism responsible for the alteration in targeted performance indicators due to the cross-linking of biopolymers in the soil. The embodied energy in the production of both Guar and Xanthan biopolymers was calculated, and the obtained ECF values were 0.087 and 1.67, respectively.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/13/9/2304Atterberg’s limitsbiopolymer cross-linkingcarbon footprint analysiscompaction characteristicscompressive strengthguar |
| spellingShingle | M. Ashok Kumar Arif Ali Baig Moghal Kopparthi Venkata Vydehi Abdullah Almajed Embodied Energy in the Production of Guar and Xanthan Biopolymers and Their Cross-Linking Effect in Enhancing the Geotechnical Properties of Cohesive Soil Buildings Atterberg’s limits biopolymer cross-linking carbon footprint analysis compaction characteristics compressive strength guar |
| title | Embodied Energy in the Production of Guar and Xanthan Biopolymers and Their Cross-Linking Effect in Enhancing the Geotechnical Properties of Cohesive Soil |
| title_full | Embodied Energy in the Production of Guar and Xanthan Biopolymers and Their Cross-Linking Effect in Enhancing the Geotechnical Properties of Cohesive Soil |
| title_fullStr | Embodied Energy in the Production of Guar and Xanthan Biopolymers and Their Cross-Linking Effect in Enhancing the Geotechnical Properties of Cohesive Soil |
| title_full_unstemmed | Embodied Energy in the Production of Guar and Xanthan Biopolymers and Their Cross-Linking Effect in Enhancing the Geotechnical Properties of Cohesive Soil |
| title_short | Embodied Energy in the Production of Guar and Xanthan Biopolymers and Their Cross-Linking Effect in Enhancing the Geotechnical Properties of Cohesive Soil |
| title_sort | embodied energy in the production of guar and xanthan biopolymers and their cross linking effect in enhancing the geotechnical properties of cohesive soil |
| topic | Atterberg’s limits biopolymer cross-linking carbon footprint analysis compaction characteristics compressive strength guar |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/13/9/2304 |
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