Review of Strength Improvements of Biocemented Soils

Microbially induced calcium carbonate precipitation (MICP) has attracted great attention recently for its ability to improve the mechanical properties of soils. Calcium (CaCO3) precipitates that formed at contact points and on surface particles or in pore space soil matrixes could increase bonding strength, friction, interlocking resistances due enhancement interparticle bonds, particle roughness, packing density, therefore, greatly macroscopic performances biocemented soils were subjected external loading. Strength is one key factors when determining application biotreatments geotechnical engineering during construction operation periods. This study presented a systematic, objective, extensive review strength was based previous research. The improvement characteristics comprehensively investigated under compression, tension, static cyclic shear conditions, unconfined compressive (UCS), splitting tensile (STS), yielding, shear, resistance strengths. Particle scale regimes elaborated interpret mechanism biotreatment failure modes specimens Furthermore, challenges biocementation discussed, future investigations envisioned.