• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.85-96
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• 2023

Microbially induced carbonate precipitation (MICP) is extensively discussed as a promising topic for ground stabilization. The practical effect of stabilizing the expansive soil is presented in this paper with a logical process from the bacterial activity to the treatment technology. Temperature, pH, shaking frequency, and inoculation amount are discussed to evaluate the bacterial activity. The physic-mechanic properties are also evaluated to discuss the effect of the MICP process on expansive soil. Results indicate that the MICP method achieves the mitigation of expansion. The treated soil has a low proportion of fine particles (< 5 ㎛), the plasticity index significantly decreases, and strength values improve much. MICP process has a significant cementation effect on the soil matrix. Moreover, the infiltration model test presents the coating effect on the topsoil. According to the relation between the CaCO₃ content and the treatment effect, the topsoil has better treatment than the deeper soil.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.281-289
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• 2022

Bio-CaCO₃ is a blowout environment-friendly materials for soil improvement and sealing of rock fissures. To evaluate the chemical characteristics, shape, size and productivity of soybean urease induced CaCO₃ precipitates (SUICP), experimental studies were conducted via EDS, XRD, FT-IR, TGA, BET, and SEM. Also, the conversion rate of SUICP reaction at different time were determined and analyzed. The Bio-CaCO₃ product obtained by SUICP is comprehensively judged as calcite based on the results of EDS, XRD and FT-IR. The SUICP calcite precipitates are detected as spherical or ellipsoidal particles 3-6 ㎛ in diameter with nanoscale pores on their surface, and this morphology is novel. The median secondary particle size d₅₀ is 39-88 ㎛, indicating the agglomeration of the primary calcite particles. The Bio-calcite decomposes at 650-780℃, representing a medium thermal stability. The conversion rate of SUICP reaction can reach 80% in 24h, which is much more efficient than microbially induced CaCO₃ precipitation. These results reveal the knowledges of SUICP, and further direct its engineering applications. Moreover, we show an economic channel to obtain porous spherical calcite.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.237-242
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• 2015

The use of calcite-forming bacteria (CFB) in crack remediation and durability improvements in construction materials creates a permanent and environmentally-friendly material. Therefore, research into this type of application is stimulating interdisciplinary studies between microbiology and architectural engineering. However, the mechanisms giving rise to these materials are dependent on calcite precipitation by the metabolism of the CFB, which raises concerns about possible hazards to cement-based construction due to microbial metabolic acid production. The aim of this study was to determine target microorganisms that possibly can have bio-corrosive effects on cement mortar and to assess multi-functional CFBs for their safe application to cement structures. The chalky test was first used to evaluate the $CaCO_3$ solubilization feature of construction sites by fungi, yeast, bacterial strains. Not all bacterial strains are able to solubilize $CaCO_3$, but C. sphaerospermum KNUC253 or P. prolifica KNUC263 showed $CaCO_3$ solubilization activity. Therefore, these two strains were identified as target microorganisms that require control in cement structures. The registered patented strains Bacillus aryabhatti KNUC205, Arthrobacter nicotianae KNUC2100, B. thuringiensis KNUC2103 and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia KNUC2106, reported as multifunctional CFB (fungal growth inhibition, crack remediation, and water permeability reduction of cement surfaces) and isolated from Dokdo or construction site were unable to solubilize $CaCO_3$. Notably, B. aryabhatti KNUC205 and A. nicotianae KNUC2100 could not hydrolyze cellulose or protein, which can be the major constituent macromolecules of internal materials for buildings. These results show that several reported multi-functional CFB can be applied to cement structures or diverse building environments without corrosive or bio-deteriorative risks.