Geotechnical Properties of β-Glucan-Treated Clayey Sand

Various techniques are used to improve and stabilize soil, most common are the mechanical and chemical methods. The materials used for soil stabilization pose challenges such as possible contamination of soil and groundwater, and emission of carbon dioxide during manufacturing. β-glucan, a biopolymer offers an attractive alternative and has greater potential for application in soil stabilization, yet only limited research is available. Monomers of D-glucose (C₆H₁₂O₆) connected by β-glycosidic bonds lead to the formation of β-glucan. The structure of β-glucan can be varying. β-1,3/1,6-glucan possesses ramiform and helical shapes. They exhibit hydrogen bonding with external ions. β-glucans which possess good tensile strength have potential applications in controlling the cracking and tensile failure of many earth structures. They also exhibit better adsorption features. In this work, it was added in quantities of 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5 and 3% to clayey sand. Select geotechnical properties such as liquid and plastic limits, optimum moisture content (OMC), maximum dry density, shear strength and permeability were determined. Durability tests, tests on biopolymers such as gel matrix formation and its degradation were conducted.