Possibility of cementation of soft soil using Bacteria

Bacteria를 이용한 연약한 흙의 고결화 가능성

In order to understand the mechanism of cementation of soft soils treated with bacteria, three types of specimens(untreated, normal bacteria concentration treated, and high bacteria concentration treated) were made. Scanning Electron Microscope(SEM), EDX and X-ray diffraction(XRD) analyses were performed on the soft silt and loose sand specimens. Compared with the untreated specimen, a clearer cementation between particles was observed in the high bacteria concentration treated specimen. Based on the scanning electron microscope(SEM) EDX analyses, more calcium carbonate was observed in the specimen treated with high bacteria concentration than other specimens. On the basis of the preliminary results, it appears that microbial cementation can occur in the soft soil. Further study on the cementation of soils using bacteria is necessary to validate this result.