Evaluating the Effectiveness of Xanthan Gum Biopolymer as a Soil Stabiliser

Owing to the various environmental impacts of conventional chemical methods of stabilisation, efforts have been made to develop more sustainable eco-friendly techniques of modifying soil. Biopolymer derived from natural sources has recently been discovered as a potential substitute for soil stabilising materials. It has been discovered that the biopolymer xanthan gum (XG) has remarkable soil improvement properties that may be successfully applied in a variety of geotechnical applications including soil strengthening, erosion control, soil permeability reduction and improving durability of soil. This study uses the biopolymer XG in modifying the strength, hydraulic conductivity and durability properties of a sandy silt subjected to different testing conditions. XG has been added with the soil in different concentrations from 0.5 to 2.5% by weight of the mass of dry soil. The treated soil has been cured for a period of 7 to 56 days and is tested. The hydraulic conductivity, plasticity, durability and the unconfined characteristics of both the treated and untreated soil has been analysed. It is worth noting that the treatment of the soil with XG has significantly improved its UCS and durability, wherein the results are profound at 2% xanthan gum addition. Nevertheless, the soil characteristics showed further improvement upon prolonged curing. The results also show a noticeable reduction in the permeability of the treated soil. With its remarkable properties for improving soil, the biopolymer XG can be effectively used in a range of geotechnical applications.