Feasibility analysis of microbially induced calcite precipitation (MICP) as a potential technique for mitigating slope failures
摘要
Landslides and slope failures are natural hazards that pose substantial risks to communities and infrastructure worldwide. Effective stabilization of slopes is crucial to mitigate these hazards and ensure sustainable development. The present study explores the feasibility of microbially induced calcite precipitation (MICP) as a promising method for enhancing slope stability, focusing on coarse-grained soils. A parametric numerical investigation is conducted on the application of MICP or biocementation treatments in a chosen slope under saturated and varying water table conditions. Various parameters, including slope inclination, cementation dosage, length, and depth of cementation, were varied extensively to study the effect of these parameters on the stability of the slope. Further, the study also emphasizes the role of water table depth in influencing biocementation outcomes, demonstrating how a lower groundwater table contributes to enhanced slope stability. The results show that, under saturated conditions, the factor of safety (FOS) increases from about 0.65–0.70 for untreated slopes to at most 0.9–1.0 with moderate biocementation, while heavy biocementation raises it only marginally above unity in the range of 1.1–1.3. Under lower groundwater table conditions, biocementation is far more effective, with FOS values increasing to about 1.5–2.0 for moderate biocementation and reaching approximately 2.5–3.0 for heavy biocementation treatment. The current study emphasizes the utility of stability charts and comprehensive analyses to evaluate the efficacy of these treatments in improving the FOS and minimizing displacement on slopes. Practical implications are discussed, underscoring the need for tailored biocementation approaches based on site-specific conditions to achieve reliable and sustainable slope stabilization.