Effects of Xanthan Gum Biopolymers on Gypseous Soils Characteristics

Abstract

Gypseous soils are problematic soils that cause large deformations in the constructions that are built on it. Therefore, many binders have been used to reduce this impact. Traditional soil binders like lime or cement have environmental problems in terms of sustainability. Thus, sustainable substances have attracted appreciable interest in recently soil enhancement. Biomaterials are being developed to enhance geotechnical engineering properties like hydraulic conductivity, strength, and slope stability of varied soil types. This study aims at evaluating the engineering characteristics of gypseous soil treated with xanthan gum biopolymer. The tests performed on three types of gypseous soil with various gypsum contents and different properties. Gypseous soils were mixed with various contents of xanthan gum with a percentage of 2, 4, and 6. The compaction results indicated that xanthan gum decreases the maximum dry density and increases the optimum moisture content. The treated gypseous soils exhibited a low collapse potential by more than 30% - 45% with xanthan gum. The direct shear results of biopolymer treated soils showed significant shear strength gains. The results of the current study imply xanthan gum biopolymer improvement as an environmentally friendly method to improve the engineering properties of gypseous soil.

Enhancement of Gypseous Soil Engineering Properties Through High-Density Polyethylene Polymer Addition: A Comprehensive Experimental Assessment

“…Gypsum dissolution, soil particle reorientation, and the breakdown of the cementation between soil particles are all factors that contribute to the collapse potential of gypseous soil [9]. The collapse potential decreasing about 64% at 1% of HDPE polymer and it was 1.87%.…”

“…Recently, attention has veered towards the potential of nontraditional materials such as polymers, celebrated for their high tensile strength, pressure resistance, and exceptional soil particle adherence [4][5][6][7][8][9]. Their impressive resistance to chemicals and water further bolsters their appeal.…”

Shear Strength Durability Investigation for Gypseous Soil Enhanced by Pectin Biopolymer

“…Therefore, the study of the long-term behavior and durability of soils treated with biopolymers against biodegradation, basically under wetting and drying cycles, must be confirmed to evaluate the usage of biopolymers in geotechnical engineering applications [5][6]. Theyab et al [7] evaluated the durability and strength of the gypseous soil enhanced by adding xanthan biopolymer. Three gypseous soil types with various gypsum contents were selected and tested.…”