Application of Biopolymers in Geotechnical Engineering Practices: An Eco-Friendly Approach

Before construction, it is necessary to improve the engineering characteristics of soft soil. The most common technique, cement stabilization (either alone or in combination with other methods), causes a number of environmental issues. Approaches have been explored to replace the conventional methods of soil stabilization. Biopolymers an eco-friendly material is one of the sustainable solutions as an alternative for soil improvement. In the present study, interaction with biopolymers, i.e., xanthan gum with week soil is studied. From the results, it is found that biopolymer enhanced the geotechnical properties of the week soil. The enhancement varies with the percentage of biopolymer added to the soil. In this study, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, and 2.5% of xanthan gum added to week soil. Their effect on the week soil, strength improvement was investigated. Index properties, unconfined compressive strength, and resilient modulus are determined. A very minimal fraction of biopolymer increases the mechanical properties of the soil. Therefore, biopolymer has a very strong potential to replace cement as the conventional soil binder in context of development to replace the conventional method.