Enhancing the Strength Parameters of Dispersive Soil with Microbes and Jute Fibres as Sustainable Alternative

Abstract

Aim of this study was assessing the characteristics of dispersive soil based on percentage of dispersion and degree of dispersion and to improve the strength of soil using microbes. This research has utilized the Microbial Induced Calcium Carbonate process (MICP) in conjunction with jute fibre for the improvement the erosive resistance in dispersive soil. Calcite formation occurred as a consequence of microbial biomass in voids of dispersive soil. Calcium carbonate was synthesized in the gaps of the soil matrix during the microbiological process. Bacillus sphaericus bacteria were used in this experiment, along with a 1 cm length of jute raw fibre of 1 cm long and a cell concentration of 6.4E+08 CFU mL -1 . The findings of the Unconfined compressive strength (UCS) test showed following of MICP treatment with and without jute fibre augmentation, UCS values causing the 11 and 13 times. Crumb test findings showed no colloidal solution was generated after microbial treatment, which was used for confirmation of the degree of dispersiveness reduction. Addition of jute fibres indicating better precipitation values of more than 4% due to the internal bonding strength. Ground renovation through microbial cementation yielded promising benefits, suggesting sustainability.