Application of magnesium to improve uniform distribution of precipitated minerals in 1-m column specimens

This study discussed the possible optimization of enzyme-mediated calcite precipitation (EMCP) as a soil-improvement technique. Magnesium chloride was added to the injection solution to delay the reaction rate and to improve the homogenous distribution of precipitated minerals within soil sample. Soil specimens were prepared in 1- m PVC cylinders and treated with the obtained solutions composed of urease, urea, calcium, and magnesium chloride, and the mineral distribution within the sand specimens was examined. The effects of the precipitated minerals on the mechanical and hydraulic properties were evaluated by unconfined compressive strength (UCS) and permeability tests, respectively. The addition of magnesium was found to be effective in delaying the reaction rate by more than one hour. The uniform distribution of the precipitated minerals within a 1-m sand column was obtained when 0.1 mol/L and 0.4 mol/L of magnesium and calcium, respectively, were injected. The strength increased gradually as the mineral content was further increased. The permeability test results showed that the hydraulic conductivity was approximately constant in the presence of a 6% mineral mass. Thus, it was revealed that it is possible to control the strength of treated sand by adjusting the amount of precipitated minerals.