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

1 Scopus citations

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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