Abstract
Soil stabilization is a mechanical or chemical alteration of one or more soil properties to create an improved soil material possessing the desired engineering properties. The aim of this article was to review bioenzyme-based soil stabilization techniques with an emphasis on bioenzymes production, mechanism of soil stabilization and future challenges, and opportunities of the sector. Soils are stabilized to increase strength and durability or to prevent erosion and dust generation. Cost-effective soil stabilization technology has been a fundamental part of any construction and is very important for economic growth in any country. In some cases, construction has been challenged due to the high cost of soil stabilization processes. Besides, methods of stabilizations using common stabilizing agents are getting costly. Currently, there is a growing interest to identify new and green technology to improve construction techniques and to expand the road network. Therefore, the search for new materials and improved techniques to process the local materials has received an increased focus. For developing countries, bioenzymes are now creating an opportunity to improve soil stability with tremendous effectiveness in the overall process of soil stabilization. In the world, bioenzymes have been used in different projects for several years and are generally proprietary products, often of patented formulation that needs intensive field tests. Currently, the use and production of bioenzymes is becoming the most promising key for the advancement of a country by saving time, energy, and finance. It also reduces environmental pollution due to carbon emission by the conventional stabilizers. Thus, a better understanding of this emerging technology is of utmost importance to exploit any improvement it can offer to soil stability. With little research and practice, it is possible to produce soil stabilizing bioenzymes using local raw materials. Due to this, production of low cost, easily and widely applicable, and environmentally friendly enzymatic formulations from locally available raw materials should be the interest of research and academic institutes of any country.
Highlights
Soil stabilization is the permanent physical and chemical alteration of soils to enhance their physical properties [1]
Lindenbaum reported that the enzyme composition used for soil stabilization included an enzyme expressed by microorganisms produced via fermentation
Intensive studies on permazyme were conducted in South Africa and Uganda, while experimental study is currently being conducted in Ethiopia at Addis Ababa Science and Technology University in collaboration with Ethiopian Roads Authority
Summary
Soil stabilization is the permanent physical and chemical alteration of soils to enhance their physical properties [1]. Improvements include increasing the dry unit weight, bearing capabilities, volume changes, the performance of in situ subsoils, sands, and other waste materials in order to strengthen road surfaces, and other geotechnical applications [4]. It is required when the soil available for construction is not suitable for the intended purpose and mainly aimed at increasing resistance to softening by water through bonding the soil particles together, water proofing the particles, or combination of the two [5]. There is an urgent need to identify new and cost-effective materials to improve construction techniques and expand road networks. When applied and compacted properly, the treated soils can be stabilized to form a dense, firm-to-hard, water-resistant bound layer that can be used as a road surfacing
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