An experimental study on the curing of desert sand using bio-cement

Abstract

In order to promote the development and utilization of desert sand, this study is based on researching the most suitable ratio of bio-cement, analyzing the shear strength and permeability of improved desert sand by combining bio-cement and fly ash, and clarifying the applicability of tap water in bio-cement. The relationship between the two and the microstructural properties was investigated using the results of the straight shear test and the permeability test. The results showed that the urease solution prepared with tap water had a more pronounced temperature resistance. The urea concentration and the corresponding pH environment had a direct effect on the urease activity. The calcium carbonate yield was positively correlated with the calcium concentration, and the urea concentration was higher in the ranges of 1.0–1.5 mol/L. As the enzyme-to-gel ratio decreased, the calcium carbonate precipitate produced per unit volume of urease solution gradually converged to a certain value. The shear strength (increased by 37.9%) and permeability (decreased by about 8.9–68.5%) of the modified desert sand peaked with the increase in fly ash content. The microscopic test results indicated that the fly ash could provide nucleation sites for the bio-cement, effectively improving the mechanical properties of the desert sand. The crystal types of calcium carbonate in the modified desert sand were calcite and aragonite, which were the most stable crystal types. This study provides innovative ideas for interdisciplinary research in the fields of bioengineering, ecology and civil engineering.

Keywords

Bio-cement / Tap water / Desert sand / Fly ash / Mechanical properties / Calcium carbonate precipitate

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Funding

National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant no. 42372323 and 42072319)