%K Biomineralization; Biomolecules; Construction industry; Seawater; Urea, Calcite precipitation; Construction activities; Geotechnical application; Ground improvement; Research opportunities; Soil improvement; Soil strengthening; Unsaturated sand, Biopolymers
%X Ground improvement techniques provide strong natural platforms for construction activities and save the need for designing more resistant structures which would have been necessary on weak ground. This paper discusses the biogeotechnical techniques for improving the resistance of unsaturated sand dunes against surficial erosion by natural processes of wave actions and storm surges. Mechanism of microbially induced calcite precipitation (MICP) and its optimization by utilizing sea water and minimal urea usage is discussed. Common factors affecting the MICP process are briefly discussed. Biomineralization using biopolymers is also described along with the soil strengthening mechanisms. Geotechnical applications of some commonly available biopolymers are described briefly. Advantages and limitations in both these mineralization methods are analyzed and some research opportunities are pointed out for future research. © Published under licence by IOP Publishing Ltd.
%J IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering
%L scholars8451
%O cited By 24; Conference of 3rd and 4th International Engineering Research and Innovation Symposium, IRIS 2017 ; Conference Date: 6 May 2017 Through 7 May 2017; Conference Code:129993
%R 10.1088/1757-899X/226/1/012058
%N 1
%D 2017
%I Institute of Physics Publishing
%A M.S. Ashraf
%A S.B. Azahar
%A N.Z. Yusof
%V 226
%T Soil Improvement Using MICP and Biopolymers: A Review