Rainfall Erosion of MICP-treated Sandy Slopes

1. Home
2. Publications
3. Online Library
4. Rainfall Erosion of MICP-treated Sandy Slopes

Microbially induced calcite precipitation (MICP) is an environmentally friendly technology widely used to enhance soil engineering properties. This study explores the effects of rainfall-induced erosion on sandy slopes treated with microbial induced calcite precipitation (MICP) technology, contrasting it with traditional cement treatment methods. Through extensive experimental setups involving rainfall simulators and roughness testing, the research evaluates the erosion patterns, mechanical behaviors, and surface roughness of both MICP-treated and cement-treated sandy slopes under various conditions. The findings indicate that MICP, an environmentally friendly technique, significantly enhances the erosion resistance of sandy slopes, especially at higher treatment concentrations. The study reveals that while 0.25 M Ca MICP-treated slopes show rapid erosion upon rainfall exposure, slopes treated with 0.5 M Ca MICP exhibit minimal surface damage and maintain structural integrity even after prolonged rainfall, demonstrating a strength close to that of slopes treated with 10% cement. Additionally, roughness tests post-rainfall reveals a smoother surface for MICP-treated slopes, suggesting different erosion mechanisms compared to cement-treated slopes, which become rougher. These results underscore the potential of MICP as a sustainable alternative to cement for enhancing slope stability against rainfall-induced erosion, though further improvements in MICP treatment are needed to match the erosion resistance observed in cement-treated slopes.

2025 International Conference on Bio-mediated and Bio-inspired Geotechnics (ICBBG2025)

General session: Bio-mediated methods for hazard mitigation