Enhancing microbial-induced carbonate precipitation (MICP) sand consolidation with alkali-treated jute fibers

• Published in: Powder technology 2024-05, Vol.441, p.119845, Article 119845
• Main Authors: Shu, Yang, Song, Yuqi, Fang, Hao, Wang, Daming, Lu, Weihua, Zhao, Chen, Chen, Liuxia, Song, Xiangyang
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: fiber reinforced; MICP; Pretreatment; Sand consolidation
• ISSN: 0032-5910; 1873-328X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.powtec.2024.119845

Recent research has focused on reinforcing sand consolidated through microbial-induced carbonate precipitation (MICP) with alkali-treated fibers to enhance its mechanical properties and mitigate brittleness. This research investigated how modified fiber affected the microstructure and properties of MICP solid sand. The fiber content (0, 0.5, 1, 3, and 5%), pretreatment concentration (0, 1, 5, 10, and 20%), pretreatment time (0, 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 h), and pretreatment temperature (25, 35, 45, and 55 °C) required for the experiment were determined by MICP testing. The interactions between fiber, sand, and calcium carbonate(CaCO3) were analyzed by calcium carbonate content(CaCO3(%)), unconfined compressive strength (UCS), environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The specimen without added fiber had a UCS of 2.13 MPa, the UCS of the added fiber sample was 2.8 MPa, which was 31.46% more than that of the specimen without added fiber, and the UCS of the specimen with added alkali-treated fiber was 3.62 MPa, which was 70% more than that of the specimen without added fiber and 28.57% more than that of the added untreated fiber. The optimum content of jute fibers was 0.5%, and the optimum concentration of alkali treatment of jute fibers was 10% for one hour. [Display omitted] •Alkali-treated jute fibers increase MICP-treated sand UCS by 70%.•Optimal fiber content for MICP is 0.5%.•Optimal effect for MICP at 10% alkali treatment for 1 h.•ESEM indicates that alkali treatment improves fiber-sand-CaCO3 interconnection.•Provides a basis for eco-friendly soil stabilization.