Effects of xanthan gum biopolymers on gypseous soils characteristics

Abstract EN

Gypseous soils are problematic soils that cause large deformations in the constructionsthat are built on it.

Therefore, many binders have been used to reduce this impact.

Traditional soil binders like lime or cement have environmental problems in terms ofsustainability.

Thus, sustainable substances have attracted appreciable interest inrecently soil enhancement.

Biomaterials are being developed to enhance geotechnicalengineering properties like hydraulic conductivity, strength, and slope stability of variedsoil types.

This study aims at evaluating the engineering characteristics of gypseous soiltreated with xanthan gum biopolymer.

The tests performed on three types of gypseoussoil with various gypsum contents and different properties.

Gypseous soils were mixedwith various contents of xanthan gum with a percentage of 2, 4, and 6.

The compactionresults indicated that xanthan gum decreases the maximum dry density and increases theoptimum moisture content.

The treated gypseous soils exhibited a low collapse potentialby more than 30% - 45% with xanthan gum.

The direct shear results of biopolymertreated soils showed significant shear strength gains.

The results of the current studyimply xanthan gum biopolymer improvement as an environmentally friendly method toimprove the engineering properties of gypseous soil.