Civil Engineering Departmental Seminar - Microbial induced calcite precipitation in fine soils: some recent observations and applications

Microbial induced calcite precipitation in fine soils: some recent observations and applications

Soft clay layers commonly found in urban areas pose significant challenges for construction due to their low shear strength and high compressibility. While Microbially Induced Carbonate Precipitation (MICP) has been extensively studied for sand improvement, its application to clay remains relatively limited. This presentation discusses recent advances in the application of MICP for clay improvement, covering three main aspects. First, the improvement mechanisms of MICP in clay are examined, focusing on validating bacterial mobility within fine pores to confirm the feasibility of MICP in clay. Second, the study explores different MICP solution delivery strategies under consolidation stress. In addition to pressure injection, electrokinetic treatment is introduced and compared regarding improvement effectiveness and distribution. Third, a full-scale slope model test simulates intense rainfall on an artificial clay slope to evaluate the potential of MICP in mitigating rainfall-induced shallow landslides. These findings contribute to a better understanding of MICP implementation in clay soils and demonstrate its potential for practical applications in geotechnical engineering.