biocementation; DEM; residual strength; strain localisation; % reductions; Analytical method; Biocementation; Carbonate precipitation; Cemented sands; Discrete elements method; International journals; Localisation; Residual strength; Strain localizations; Computational Mechanics; Materials Science (all); Geotechnical Engineering and Engineering Geology; Mechanics of Materials
Abstract :
[en] Microbially induced carbonate precipitation (MICP) is an emerging technique for enhancing the mechanical properties of granular soils. Although several experimental studies have reported increased shear strength in MICP-treated soils at both peak and residual states, other findings have shown reductions in residual strength compared to untreated soils. This study uses the discrete element method (DEM) to investigate the mechanisms governing the residual strength of bio-cemented sands. The results indicate that residual strength may decrease when carbonate precipitates in the form of grain-bridging patterns. In that case, the introduction of carbonates alters the contact network and may induce metastable configurations, particularly when the bonds are weak or non-cohesive. These configurations are prone to strain localisation upon shearing, leading to the development of shear bands and a reduction in residual strength. Conversely, higher cohesive strength enhances microstructural stability, offsetting the weakening effects of localisation. The residual strength of bio-cemented sands is therefore governed by two competing mechanisms, namely bond-induced stabilisation and instability-driven localisation.
Disciplines :
Civil engineering
Author, co-author :
Zhang, Aoxi ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département ArGEnCo > Géotechnique ; Department of Geoscience & Engineering, Delft University of Technology, Delft, Netherlands
Collin, Frédéric ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département ArGEnCo
Wautier, Antoine ; INRAE, Aix Marseille University, Marseille, France
Dieudonné, Anne-Catherine; Department of Geoscience & Engineering, Delft University of Technology, Delft, Netherlands
Language :
English
Title :
Insights Into the Mechanisms Controlling the Residual Strength of Bio-cemented Sands
Publication date :
25 April 2026
Journal title :
International Journal for Numerical and Analytical Methods in Geomechanics
This work was supported by the China Scholarship Council (CSC) and SAGE-SAND (Soil ageing around offshore wind turbine foundations - from operational response to decommissioning) project, funded by the Energy Transition Fund (ETF) of Belgium. The support is gratefully\u00A0acknowledged.This work was supported by the China Scholarship Council (CSC) and SAGE\u2010SAND (Soil ageing around offshore wind turbine foundations \u2010 from operational response to decommissioning) project, funded by the Energy Transition Fund (ETF) of Belgium. The support is gratefully acknowledged.
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