An Experimental study on stabilization of cohesionless soil for deep foundation using natural biopolymers

Abstract Before beginning to build on soft soil, improving the soil's engineering qualities is a necessary step. Environmental hazards arise when chemical stabilizing agents, like cement, are used to increase soil firmness. Sustainable solutions are therefore highly sought after. Using biopolymers is one of the possible possibilities. This study examined three different forms of biopolymers: chitosan, guar gum, and xanthan gum. They were tested experimentally for their impact on the increase in soil strength using an unconfined compression test. Various bio-polymer concentrations and cure times were used in each test. Additionally, specimens treated with biopolymer and those in plain soil were exposed to actual atmospheric conditions to get insight into their vulnerability to natural elements. The purpose of this work is to discuss the environmental evaluation of applying biopolymers as binders for soil improvement, the properties of soil treated with biopolymers, and the key variables influencing the behaviour of the treated soil. More specifically, the advantages for the environment and issues with using biopolymers to improve soil as well as the interaction between biopolymers and soil are covered. The unconfined compressive strength and shear strength of soil treated with biopolymers are among the many geotechnical attributes that are assessed and contrasted. There is also a discussion of the important variables, soil properties, and environmental factors that affect the different geotechnical properties of soils treated with biopolymers. Guar gum performed 70% better when compared to Xanthan gum and chitosan powder hence it is the best biopolymer to use for stabilizing cohesionless soil.