Work

Soil strengthening via temperature-optimized MICP within 20 hours: a laboratory investigation

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Microbially induced carbonate precipitation (MICP) offers a sustainable ground improvement technique, yet its temperature dependence remains insufficiently understood. Our results show that an optimal temperature window is obtained at approximately 50–55[Formula: see text]C, significantly higher than the conventional mesophilic optimum of 30–40[Formula: see text]C reported in the literature. We report that a high unconfined compressive strength (4.65 MPa) with a corresponding average calcium carbonate content of 11.4% was achieved at 55[Formula: see text]C within a short treatment period of 20 hours, substantially faster than typical MICP treatments. Microstructural and mineralogical analyses confirm that this rapid macroscopic strength increase is attributable to the formation of a well-developed inter-granular calcite matrix within the optimal temperature window, while an excessively high temperature results in poorly cemented skeletons. The findings demonstrate that a controlled elevated temperature environment can be exploited for enhancing time-sensitive ground improvement applications. The revealed temperature sensitivity paves the way to decoupling the complex electro-assisted MICP processes.

Source: Scientific Reports

DOI: 10.1038/s41598-026-49068-z

Authors: Angran Tian, Lok Hei Wong, Xiaojie Tang, Manman Hu

Institutions: University of Hong Kong, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics

Language: English

Topic: Microbial Applications in Construction Materials

Subfield: Environmental Engineering

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,690

OpenAlex ID: W7155601564