Consolidation and swelling behavior of kaolinite clay containing xanthan gum biopolymer

Abstract

Recently, microbial biopolymer-based soil treatment (BPST) has gained attention for its application in environmentally friendly soil stabilization, particularly for enhancing the strength and stability of fine-grained soils. However, the effects of BPST on clay’s compressibility (consolidation) and expansion (swelling) behaviors remain unclear. This study used xanthan gum, a microbially produced polysaccharide with anionic charges, to stabilize kaolinite clay. The effect of xanthan gum BPST on the consolidation and swelling behavior of cohesive kaolinite clays was assessed through a series of experimental tests, including one-dimensional consolidation tests with elastic wave measurements, swelling tests, environmental scanning electron microscopy, and unconsolidated-undrained triaxial tests. The formation of xanthan gum hydrogels induces pore-clogging, resulting in a delay in the consolidation process, increased energy dissipation, and compressibility. Furthermore, the interaction between kaolinite and xanthan gum improved the undrained shear strength of kaolinite soils, thereby reducing the consolidation time required for a specific bearing capacity. This study demonstrates the possible application of controlling hydraulic conductivity, seismic stabilization, and rapid surface stabilization. However, additional drainage is necessary for in situ applications.

Flow through and Volume Change Behavior of a Compacted Expansive Soil Amended with Natural Biopolymers

“…These results are in line with reported testing data such a swell pressure decrease from 53 kPa to 37 kPa due to a 0.12% chitosan addition and an increase to 58 kPa due to 1.5% guar gum amendment for a high-plasticity clay from Gujarat, India [33]. In contrast, an SP increase from 5% (using 0.5% xanthan gum) to 20% (using 2% xanthan gum) was observed for a similar high-plasticity clay from Indonesia [55]. These observations should be attributed to increased water adsorption because of the high hydrophilicity of the biopolymers and soil microstructural changes owing to variable biopolymer compositions with differences in charge type, charge density, and molecular weight [21,58].…”

“…All of the biopolymer-amended samples followed the same trend as the unamended soil and showed closely matching values for C c (0.31 ± 0.02) and C s (0.08 ± 0.01). These ranges are similar to those observed by [29][30][31]55] and indicate that the effect of the biopolymer amendment on the consolidation parameters of the investigated expansive soil is negligible. This is because loading cancels the effect of the void ratio increase irrespective of the singular or dual porosity of the soil.…”

Investigation of Texture, Thermal Conduction and Some Mechanical Properties of Melamine Formaldehyde Foam and Melamine Formaldehyde-Organo-Clay Nanocomposite and Some Hybrid Composites

“…As can be seen from Table 5, the highest bending strength of the four hybrid composites was observed in the sample containing only pumice, and the lowest strength was observed in the sample containing gypsum. With a relatively low density and a surface morphology indicating a highly effective inter-granular interaction between coarse-textured glassy pumice plates, spherical polymer clay nanocomposites and kaolin layers arranged in different directions but regularly, the kaolin-containing composite exhibited a very high bending strength (see Figure 3) [104]. In contrast, the low-density composite containing relatively-low-impact-strength hollow glass spheres with a surface morphology created by clustered hollow glass spheres effectively surrounded by arranged layers of kaolin, pumice plates and spherical polymer clay nanocomposites has a demonstrated extremely high bending strength, which may imply very efficient interface compatibility (see Figure 3) [105].…”

Xanthan biopolymer-based soil treatment effect on kaolinite clay fabric and structure using XRD analysis

“…The biopolymers affect soil grains by increasing the pore-fluid viscosity and particle interaction 10 . Based on the interaction of biopolymers and soils, biopolymers have shown their ability to enhance soil consistency 11 , coagulation 12 , soil strength 13 – 18 , surface erosion 19 – 22 , and hydraulic conductivity control 23 – 26 .…”

“…XRD technique is extensively utilized for analyzing the structure of bulk clays due to its capability to probe depths of 30–50 μm 32 , 33 . Among a variety of organic polymers 30 , XG was selected in this study owing to its wide usage in various applications 34 – 36 , promising results in enhancing geotechnical properties 13 , 37 , 38 , and unique rheological properties such as the formation of viscous hydrogels and pseudoplastic behavior 39 , 40 . These characteristics make XG a suitable candidate for investigating its effects on the fabric and mechanical properties of kaolinite clay.…”