Use of microbes to improve the engineering

behavior of Yamuna Sand

Amir Tophel
4th Year Civil Engineering

Presentation for CVD411 Part1

Facilitator:
30 December 2016 Prof. G.V. Ramana
Civil Engineering Department
 Outline

Introduction

Objective

Methodology

Result

Conclusion

References

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 Introduction

1. Microbially Induced Calcite Precipitation (MICP) is a well-established biochemical

method where calcium carbonate (calcite) is formed with the help of bacteria.
2. Ureolytic bacteria precipitates Calcium carbonate by converting urea into
ammonium and carbonate ion.

CO (NH2)2 + 2H2O ---> CO3−2 + 2NH+4 + 2H2O

Ca+2 + CO3−2 <---> CaCO3.

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 Objective

• Use of ureolytic bacteria to produce desired amount of

calcite.
• Bio calcification of Yamuna sand and measuring the
change in the properties such as cohesion, shear strength
and friction angle through laboratory characterization.
• Comparing the properties of treated soil with untreated
soil.
• Visualization of the MICP in micro level with the help of
Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM).

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 Methodology

• Culturing the bacteria Adding bacteria into the soil

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 Results.

• SEM image

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 DST Result (Untreated Sand)

Shear stress vs Normal stress y = 0.7834x

0.90
0.80
shear stress(kg/cm2)

0.70
ø = 38°
0.60 C=0
0.50
0.40
0.30
0.20
0.10
0.00
0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1 1.2
Normal stress(kg/cm2)

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 Treated Sand

Shear stress vs Normal stress y = 0.81x + 0.03

1.00
0.90
0.80
shear stress(kg/cm2)

ø = 39.1°
0.70 C = 3 kPa
0.60
0.50
0.40
0.30
0.20
0.10
0.00
0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1 1.2
Normal stress(kg/cm2)

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 Failure Plane

Untreated Sand Vs Treated Sand

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 Vertical profile

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 Conclusions.

• Cementation has helped in developing new bonds leading

to the improvement in the sand properties.
• It has improved the shear strength and cohesion of the soil
• SEM images, image of the failure plane after DST, shear
strength measured by DST and sand standing vertically are
proofs of the cementation.
• Bacteria was added at very small scale so there is a minor
change in the results of DST.

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 Future work

• Using MICP under different environmental conditions such as

temperature and pH value and assessing their effect.
• Carrying the MICP with different type of bacteria.
• Finding the optimal usage of bacteria for maximum stability
taking all the factors into account.
• Physically modelling the slope stability for shallow landslides.
• Treating the soil used in the slope with the help of bacteria to
prevent the land slide.
• Capturing the process of landslide with the help of high definition
camera.
• Using this bacterial treatment in nearby area.
• Carrying out the cost analysis and comparing it with the
conventional methods.

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30 December 2016
 References

• Bang, S.S., Galinat, J.K., and Ramakrishnan, V., 2001. Calcite precipitation induced by
polyurethane-immobilized Bacillus pasteurii. Enzyme and Microbial Technology, 28 (4–5),
404–409.
• Chou, C.-W., Seagren, E. a., Aydilek, A.H., and Lai, M., 2011. Biocalcification of Sand
through Ureolysis. Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering, 137 (12),
1179–1189.
• DeJong, Jason T., Michael B. Fritzges, and K.N., 2006. Microbially induced cementation
to control sand response to undrained shear. Journal of Geotechnical and
Geoenvironmental Engineering, 132 (11), 1381–1392.
• DeJong, J.T., Mortensen, B.M., Martinez, B.C., and Nelson, D.C., 2010. Bio-mediated soil
improvement. Ecological Engineering, 36 (2), 197–210.
• Dhami, N.K., Reddy, M.S., and Mukherjee, M.S., 2013. Biomineralization of calcium
carbonates and their engineered applications: A review. Frontiers in Microbiology, 4
(OCT).
• Harkes, M.P., van Paassen, L.A., Booster, J.L., Whiffin, V.S., and van Loosdrecht, M.C.M.,
2010. Fixation and distribution of bacterial activity in sand to induce carbonate
precipitation for ground reinforcement. Ecological Engineering, 36 (2), 112–117.

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 References(contd..)

• Ivanov, V. and Chu, J., 2008. Applications of microorganisms to geotechnical engineering

for bioclogging and biocementation of soil in situ. Reviews in Environmental Science and
Biotechnology, 7 (2), 139–153.
• Kavazanjian, E. and O’Donnell, S.T., 2015. Mitigation of Earthquake-Induced Liquefaction
via Microbial Denitrification: A Two-Phase Process. Ifcee 2015, 2286–2295.
• Lin, H., Suleiman, M.T., Brown, D.G., and Kavazanjian, E., 2015. Mechanical Behavior of
Sands Treated by Microbially Induced Carbonate Precipitation. Journal of Geotechnical
and Geoenvironmental Engineering, 142 (2), 4015066.
• De Muynck, W., De Belie, N., and Verstraete, W., 2010. Microbial carbonate precipitation
in construction materials: A review. Ecological Engineering, 36 (2), 118–136.
• De Muynck, W., Cox, K., Belie, N. De, and Verstraete, W., 2008. Bacterial carbonate
precipitation as an alternative surface treatment for concrete. Construction and Building
Materials, 22 (5), 875–885.
• De Muynck, W., Debrouwer, D., De Belie, N., and Verstraete, W., 2008. Bacterial
carbonate precipitation improves the durability of cementitious materials. Cement and
Concrete Research, 38 (7), 1005–1014.

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 References(contd..)
• van Paassen, L. a., Ghose, R., van der Linden, T.J.M., van der Star, W.R.L., and van
Loosdrecht, M.C.M., 2010. Quantifying Biomediated Ground Improvement by Ureolysis:
Large-Scale Biogrout Experiment. Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental
Engineering, 136 (12), 1721–1728.
• Ramachandran, S.K., Ramakrishnan, V., and Bang, S.S., 2001. Remediation of concrete
using micro-organisms. ACI Materials Journal.
• Rong, H. and Qian, C.X., 2012. Characterization of microbe cementitious materials. Chinese
Science Bulletin, 57 (11), 1333–1338.
• Sarda, D., Choonia, H.S., Sarode, D.D., and Lele, S.S., 2009. Biocalcification by Bacillus
pasteurii urease: A novel application. Journal of Industrial Microbiology and Biotechnology,
36 (8), 1111–1115.
• Van der Star, W.R.L., Van Wijngaarden, W.K., Van Paassen, L. a., Van Baalen, L.R., and Van
Zwieten, G., 2011. Stabilization of gravel deposits using microorganisms. Proceedings of the
15th European Conference on Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering, d, 85–90.
• Whiffin, V.S., van Paassen, L.A., and Harkes, M.P., 2007. Microbial Carbonate Precipitation
as a Soil Improvement Technique. Geomicrobiology Journal, 24 (5), 417–423.

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