Shear wave velocity based prediction of CaCO3 content and UCS in MICP-treated soils with different particle sizes
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: As an emerging soil reinforcement technology, microbial-induced carbonate precipitation (MICP) requires in-situ testing to assess its field performance. Shear wave velocity ( V s ) is a viable in-situ method. However, a clear predictive model linking its variations with the CaCO 3 content ( C m ) and unconfined compressive strength (UCS) of MICP-treated soil—considering particle size as a variable—remains to be established, constraining broader applications of this approach. This study conducts MICP treatment tests on mixtures of excavated soil (silty sand) and surplus sludge (elastic silt), using the mean particle size ( d 50 ) as the indicator of particle size. In addition, by varying the sludge proportion ( P s ), the impact of particle size on the V s , C m , and UCS is examined. During the MICP process, an increase in P s reduces the increase rate of C m and V s . Moreover, V s stabilizes about 10 h earlier than C m at a given P s . This is probably attributed to a shift in CaCO 3 precipitation modes from significant strength/stiffness enhancement for soil mixtures to minor contribution. After MICP treatment, V s , C m , and UCS decrease linearly with increasing P s . Following this, V s -based prediction models for C m and UCS are respectively developed by considering the particle size. The prediction models are proven to accurately forecast C m and UCS in MICP-treated soils with different d 50 values. This advancement enhances in-situ monitoring techniques that employ V s to evaluate MICP cementation effectiveness.
Source: SOILS AND FOUNDATIONS
Authors: Yuhang Zeng, Hui Xu, Yubin Zheng, Hao Zheng, Ping Chen
Institution: Zhejiang Sci-Tech University
Language: English
Subfield: Environmental Engineering
Field: Environmental Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $1,200
Award: G1693901966
OpenAlex ID: W7084495501