Geosynthetic Element for Uniform Microbe Cement Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for soil reinforcement in geotechnical engineering, such as direct introduction of calcifying bacteria, face limitations in achieving uniform calcium carbonate precipitation and bacterial distribution, leading to inefficient soil stabilization and increased costs due to the need for extensive drilling and repetitive injections.
Innovation Solution
A geosynthetic element comprising bacteria carriers and a flow network, allowing for controlled implementation of microbiologically induced calcium carbonate precipitation (MICP) with predetermined bacterial placement and circulation, reducing the need for extensive drilling and enabling homogeneous distribution of calcifying bacteria and microbe cement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If calcifying bacteria are directly introduced into the soil via single injection well, then bacteria can be applied to the soil, but calcium carbonate precipitation is limited to vicinity of injection source and bacterial propagation is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The geosynthetic element is segmented into multiple bacteria carriers distributed throughout the soil matrix, each capable of releasing calcifying bacteria locally. This segmentation transforms the single-point injection into a distributed multi-point release system, enabling uniform bacterial distribution and calcium carbonate precipitation throughout the treated soil volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The geosynthetic element acts as an intermediary carrier system between the injection well and the soil. It includes a flow network that distributes reactant solutions and a bacteria carrier network that releases calcifying bacteria at predetermined locations, mediating the delivery process to achieve homogeneous bacterial distribution and controlled calcium carbonate precipitation.
2Quantity of substance
If heavy feeding equipment and repetitive injections are used to improve larger soil volumes, then calcium carbonate precipitation can be enhanced, but installation costs and time consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The geosynthetic element is installed in advance as a permanent infrastructure containing pre-positioned bacteria carriers and flow network channels. This preliminary action eliminates the need for repetitive injections, as the element continuously releases bacteria and distributes reactants over an extended period, significantly reducing installation time and operational repetitions.
Solution Approach 2:
The geosynthetic element enables continuous calcium carbonate precipitation through its integrated flow network that continuously distributes reactant solutions and bacteria carriers that continuously release calcifying bacteria. This continuous action replaces discrete repetitive injections, maintaining useful action over extended periods without requiring repeated equipment operations.
3Ease of manufacture
If bacteria are directly fed into soil at installation site, then application can be performed, but quality control tests and process monitoring become difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The geosynthetic element is manufactured as a standardized replica system with predetermined bacteria carrier locations and flow network configuration. This factory-produced copy allows quality control tests to be performed on the element itself before installation, ensuring consistent bacterial distribution and reactant flow characteristics without requiring complex field monitoring of the actual soil treatment process.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enhances soil stability and mechanical properties by ensuring uniform microbe cement distribution, reducing costs through factory-based quality control and flexible application strategies, and improving load-bearing capacity and erosion resistance with reduced site monitoring.
Implementation Method 1
MICP is a natural process based on microbial-induced urea hydrolysis (Equation 1). This natural reaction mechanism is catalysed by the enzyme urease found in several bacterial strains.
Implementation Method 2
A catalysed urea hydrolysis completes 10 14 produced by the urea hydrolysis precipitates into solid calcium carbonate crystals (Equation 2) under the presence of a calcium source, such as calcium chloride.
Implementation Method 3
A catalysed urea hydrolysis completes 10 14 produced by the urea hydrolysis precipitates into solid calcium carbonate crystals (Equation 2)
Implementation Method 4
A catalysed urea hydrolysis completes 10 14 produced by the urea hydrolysis precipitates into solid calcium carbonate crystals (Equation 2)
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~5b
Figure 6a~6d
AI summary
The present invention concerns a geosynthetic element (1) for a geotechnical engineering application. The geosynthetic element (1) comprises: bacteria carriers (3) for carrying bacteria arranged to be propagated from the geosynthetic element (1) to a surrounding geomaterial; and a flow network comprising openings on its surface to allow a reactant to escape the flow network to the surrounding geomaterial along the flow network to produce solid calcium carbonate when in contact with the bacteria. The reactant flow network further comprises a set of inlets for feeding the reactant into the flow network, and a set of outlets for recovering at least a part of the reactant from the reactant flow network.