Zhichao Song

Grouting technology based on microbial mineralization represents a novel approach to enhancing the properties of rock and soil. Widely studied for its combination of high efficiency and environmental friendliness, this method improves the strength and permeability of rock and soil. In this study, a novel approach involving bioslurry + filling particles was proposed to reinforce sand columns. It was observed that the addition of filling particles provided new nucleation sites for crystallization, significantly enhancing the cementation effect of sand particles. After 3 days of grouting treatment, sand columns containing 10% filling particles exhibited an order of magnitude reduction in permeability with the unconfined compressive strength (UCS) reaching 2.5 MPa, more than twice that of sand columns reinforced with bioslurry alone. Additionally, this study presented a method for the simultaneous repair of sand particles and concrete cracks. Results indicated that after 3 days of the grouting treatment, the interfacial shear strength between sand columns and concrete reached 100 kPa. Moreover, for concrete with crack apertures less than 1 mm, the permeability coefficient was reduced by over 80%, while the recovery ratio of the splitting tensile strength reached 64.2%. These findings highlight the potential of microbial mineralized grouting technology in addressing practical challenges, providing a foundation for the rapid and high-strength simultaneous repair of tunnel-surrounding rock fracture zones and lining cracks.

Microbially induced carbonate precipitation (MICP) is a new method used in recent years to improve the soil. However, this method still faces challenges related to low grouting reinforcement strength and efficiency. In this study, both the bio-cement infiltration method and bio-cement mixed method for sand foundation were proposed, and physical model tests were conducted to investigate the mechanical properties of sand treated with the bio-cement method. The results showed that the bio-cement maximized the utilization rate of bacterial liquid and reduced the waste caused by the loss of bacteria compared with traditional methods. Both the size of the reinforced area and bearing capacity of the sand reinforced by bio-cement infiltration method were controlled by the volume ratio of the bio-cement, calcareous sand powder, and the inflow rate. The maximum bearing capacity was 125 N when using a mixture of bio-cement and calcareous sand powder with a ratio of 400/80, with an inflow rate of 20 mL/min. The UCS of the sand reinforced by the bio-cement mixed method gradually decreased from 3.44 MPa to 0.88 MPa with depth, but increased with increasing CaCO₃ content. The CaCO₃ crystals were primarily concentrated at the contact point between the particles, and the formed crystals were mainly polyhedral. Reduction in the CaCO₃ content mainly occurred in the central deep part of the reinforcement area. The result provides an experimental basis for the use of bio-cement in the reinforcement of sand soil foundations.

The disaster of loess slope seriously threatened the safety of people and property. Enzyme Induced Calcite Precipitation (EICP) was demonstrated as an environmentally friendly soil improvement method. However, few studies have focused on the improvement effect of EICP on loess slopes. In this study, a series of tests were conducted to investigate the effect of EICP and added either basalt fiber (BF) to the loess or polyvinyl acetate emulsion (PVAC) to the solution on the erosion resistance of loess slopes. The results showed that all of the EICP, EICP-BF, and EICP-PVAC treatments could improve surface strength (SS). The addition of 50 g/L PVAC achieved high SS because the network structure formed by PVAC promoted the affixation of CaCO₃. The thickness of the crust layer decreased with the increasing BF content or PVAC concentration. With the increasing number of EICP treatment cycles, the CaCO₃ content increased progressively, but the increase rate decreased. For rainfall erosion, the time until erosion occurred was delayed and the stability was improved for loess slopes treated with EICP, EICP-BF, and EICP-PVAC. The high erosion resistance of loess slopes treated with EICP-0.5% BF, EICP-30 g/L PVAC, and EICP-50 g/L PVAC was attributed to the stable spatial structure formed by CaCO₃ precipitation and the additional cementation provided by high BF content and PVAC concentration. The addition of 0.5% BF effectively inhibited the development of surface cracks in loess slope after dry–wet cycles. With the increasing number of dry–wet cycles, the accumulative loess loss weight of slopes treated with various methods increased gradually. Among all treatment methods, the number of dry–wet cycles had less effect on EICP-30 g/L PVAC treated loess slopes. This study provided guidance for loess slopes prevention.