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Microbially Induced Calcite Precipitation (MICP) for Soil Stabilization

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Ecological Wisdom Inspired Restoration Engineering

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Abstract

Bio-cementation is a recently developed technique for soil stabilization in geotechnical engineering applications, as it employs microbiological activity that improves the engineering properties of soils . One of the most commonly adopted processes to achieve soil stabilization by biocementation is through microbially induced calcite precipitation (MICP), which is commonly known as “biogrout” . This technique utilizes the metabolic pathways of bacteria to form calcite (CaCO3) that binds the soil particles together, leading to increased soil strength and stiffness. Biogrout is environmental-friendly and has the potential to be a better alternate to chemically based grouting materials such as lime or cement . However, there are still many challenges that lay ahead for future research prior to real practical application of this promising technique. In this chapter, some salient chemical and physical factors governing soil treatment by biogrout are described and explained, and possible applications of biogrout in geotechnical engineering are discussed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Biofuels Institute of Jiangsu University, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212013, China

    Liang Cheng

  2. Department of Civil Engineering, Curtin University, Perth, WA, 6845, Australia

    Liang Cheng & Mohamed A. Shahin

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  1. Liang Cheng
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  2. Mohamed A. Shahin
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Correspondence to Liang Cheng .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Guangdong Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Shantou, China

    Varenyam Achal

  2. Department of Civil Engineering, Curtin University, Perth, Western Autralia, Australia

    Abhijit Mukherjee

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Cheng, L., Shahin, M.A. (2019). Microbially Induced Calcite Precipitation (MICP) for Soil Stabilization. In: Achal, V., Mukherjee, A. (eds) Ecological Wisdom Inspired Restoration Engineering. EcoWISE. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-0149-0_3

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