Nano-Assisted Enzyme-Induced Calcium Precipitation (EICP) for Acidic Soil Improvement

Emran Alotaibi, Mohamed G. Arab, Marwan Naeem, Maher Omar, Omar Mostafa

    Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

    Abstract

    Enzyme-induced calcium precipitation (EICP) is a promising technique for soil improvement. EICP utilizes enzymes to induce the precipitation of calcium carbonate (CaCO3) within soil pores, enhancing their mechanical properties. This study investigates the potential of using iron oxide (Fe2O3), aluminum oxide (Al2O3), and zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles to enhance the performance of EICP-treated sands in acidic and alkaline environments. The pH, unconfined compressive strength (UCS), and calcium carbonate content of treated specimens were evaluated. Results showed that ZnO nanoparticles diminished the EICP effect, while Al2O3 nanoparticles improved UCS by 6.4% at a concentration of 0.20%. Fe2O3 nanoparticles retained 28.5% and 13.7% of UCS at concentrations of 0.10% and 0.40%, respectively. The addition of nanoparticles reduced the calcium carbonate content, with ZnO-EICP showing the highest reduction (~90%). This research highlights the need for further enhancement of the EICP technique in acidic and alkaline environments.

    Original languageBritish English
    Title of host publicationGeotechnical Special Publication
    EditorsT. Matthew Evans, Nina Stark, Susan Chang
    PublisherAmerican Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)
    Pages10-19
    Number of pages10
    EditionGSP 351
    ISBN (Electronic)9780784485309, 9780784485316, 9780784485323, 9780784485330, 9780784485347, 9780784485354
    DOIs
    StatePublished - 2024
    EventGeo-Congress 2024: Soil Improvement, Sustainability, Geoenvironmental, and Cold Regions Engineering - Vancouver, Canada
    Duration: 25 Feb 202428 Feb 2024

    Publication series

    NameGeotechnical Special Publication
    NumberGSP 351
    Volume2024-February
    ISSN (Print)0895-0563

    Conference

    ConferenceGeo-Congress 2024: Soil Improvement, Sustainability, Geoenvironmental, and Cold Regions Engineering
    Country/TerritoryCanada
    CityVancouver
    Period25/02/2428/02/24

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