Enhancement of Residual Shear Strength and Reduction of Strength Degradation in Low-Plasticity Clay Using Biostimulated MICP
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.32832/astonjadro.v15i3.22070Keywords:
MICP, biostimulation, residual strength, shear stress, degradation.Abstract
Low-plasticity tropical clays typically exhibit low residual shear strength due to kaolinite dominated mineralogy and intense weathering, highlighting the need for stabilization methods capable of improving strength beyond the peak condition. The novelty of this study lies in the specific application of biostimulated MICP to enhance residual shear stress and reduce the degradation of friction angle and cohesion in CL soils an aspect that is still limited explored in previous MICP research. The Direct Shear Test was employed to evaluate changes in shear behavior following the activation of indigenous bacteria, which promote CaCO₃ precipitation along the shear plane. The results demonstrate that biostimulated MICP significantly increases residual shear strength through the formation of mineral bonds that preserve interparticle linkage, while simultaneously reducing the degradation from peak to residual states. Residual strength improved consistently across all normal stress levels, and both friction angle and cohesion exhibited lower degradation compared with untreated samples, confirming the effectiveness of CaCO₃ precipitation as a post-peak reinforcement mechanism. These findings indicate that biostimulated MICP is a sustainable and efficient approach for enhancing the long-term stability of tropical clay soils.
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