Strength Characteristics of Expansive Soils Using Eco-Friendly Xanthan Gum

Soil treatment as well as improvement is commonly performed in the field of geotechnical engineering. Methods and resources to achieve this such as soil stabilization in addition to mixing with cementations binders have been utilized in engineered soil applications since the beginning of human civilization. Demand for environment-friendly and sustainable alternatives is currently rising. Suitable eco-friendly replacement for conventional materials is required. Xanthan gum is a polysaccharide commonly used as a food additive and rheology modifier. It has been used as a soil improvement material in the present study and experimental tests were performed with expansive soils. Xanthan were identified for the study over a range of concentration (0.2 %, 0.4 %, 0.6 %, 0.8 %, 1.0 %, 1.2 %,& 1.4 %). The results show that the Xanthan gum fibers interact directly with the charged surfaces of clayey particles while forming Xanthan matrices that resemble a hard plastic between uncharged particles. Through experiments with varying concentrations of Xanthan gum, it was found that the strengthening effect leveled off at higher concentrations. The strengthening effect was also shown to be greatly dependent on the hydration level of the soils. Overall, the strengthening effect of Xanthan gum is shown to be dependent on four factors type of soil, hydration level (e. g. , moisture content), Xanthan gum content, and mixing method. Moreover, continuing research is suggested to ensure performance in terms of practical implementation, reliability, and durability of in situ biopolymer applications for geotechnical engineering purposes.