In the heart of China’s Gansu Province, a team of researchers from Lanzhou Jiaotong University has been working on a groundbreaking method to reinforce red mudstone fillers, a common material in construction and energy sector projects. Led by YU Yunyan, the team has been exploring the potential of enzymatically induced carbonate calcium precipitation (EICP) technology, a process that could significantly enhance the stability and durability of red mudstone fillers, which are often used in embankments, foundations, and other civil engineering projects.
The team’s research, recently published in *Yantu gongcheng xuebao* (translated to English as *Rock and Soil Mechanics*), focuses on optimizing the ratio of EICP solution to maximize its reinforcing effects. Using a response surface method, they found that the optimal ratio of gum to enzyme is 1.5:1, with a urease concentration of 100 g/L and a cementing solution concentration of 1.4 mol/L. These findings could have significant implications for the energy sector, where red mudstone fillers are often used in the construction of power plants, pipelines, and other critical infrastructure.
“Our research shows that the unconfined compressive strength of the sample under the optimized ratio is 55.21% higher than that of the plain soil,” said YU Yunyan, the lead author of the study. “This means that the EICP technology can significantly enhance the load-bearing capacity of red mudstone fillers, making them more suitable for use in large-scale construction projects.”
The team’s research also found that the EICP technology can significantly reduce the free expansion rate and the loadless expansion rate of red mudstone fillers, as well as the saturated permeability coefficient. This could have important implications for the energy sector, where the stability and durability of construction materials are critical to the safe and efficient operation of infrastructure.
“Our research provides a reference for the engineering applications of the EICP technology in red mudstone filler,” said YU. “We believe that this technology has great potential for use in the energy sector, where the reinforcement of red mudstone fillers is often required.”
The team’s research is part of a growing body of work exploring the potential of EICP technology in civil engineering and construction. As the energy sector continues to expand and evolve, the need for stable and durable construction materials will only grow. The research conducted by YU and her team could help to meet this need, providing a new and innovative solution for the reinforcement of red mudstone fillers.
The findings of this study not only offer a practical solution for enhancing the properties of red mudstone fillers but also open up new avenues for research into the use of EICP technology in other areas of civil engineering and construction. As the energy sector continues to grow and evolve, the need for innovative and sustainable solutions will only increase. The research conducted by YU and her team could help to meet this need, providing a new and innovative solution for the reinforcement of red mudstone fillers and potentially other construction materials.