Geotechnical Properties of β-Glucan Treated High Swelling Clay

Soil stabilization refers to enhancing the properties of a soil for engineering purposes. A holistic approach in selection of materials for soil stabilization is required since certain materials may cause environmental problems such as pollution during manufacturing, interaction with ground water table, soil nutrients, etc. β-glucan, a biopolymer offers a novel alternative and has greater potential for application in soil stabilization, yet only limited research is available. β-glucans are linear homopolysaccharides composed of D-glucopyranosyl residues linked via a mixture of β-(1–3) and β-(1–4) linkages. β-glucan has good tensile strength along with good bonding and adsorption characteristics. In addition to structural orientation, molecular weight plays a role in stabilization owing to gel forming potential. Polysaccharides have the tendency to form a film coating. β-glucan was added in quantities of 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, and 3% to high swelling clay soil. Index and select engineering properties of the treated soil were determined. Rheological properties such as pH and viscosity were also studied. Durability tests, tests on biopolymers such as gel matrix formation and its degradation were conducted. The test specimens were prepared for 0, 7, 14, 28, and 56 days to study the impact and variation of shear strength on treated soils. Scanning electron microscopy images revealed the bonding of β-glucan and soil. The treated soils have shown improvement in engineering properties.