Use of Bio-enzymes in Soil Stabilization, Construction and Sustainable Development

Abstract

Strength developed in stabilized clay by progressive addition of urease bio-enzymes was evaluated in this paper. The soils were stabilized with 5, 10, 15 and 20% urease bio-enzymes. From the compaction tests, the OMC decreases from 13.1% to 9.20% with an increase in enzyme percentage from 0% to 20% for A-7-6. The same decrease was observed for sample A-7-5 from 17.1% to 13.0%. A-7-6 and A-7-5 samples recorded increase in MDD from 1.90g/cm3 to 1.99g/cm3 and from 1.69 to 1.75g/cm3 respectively. The work further revealed improvement in California Bearing Ratio (115% increment) and a significant increment of 312% in Unconfined Compressive Strength of stabilized clay after 28-days curing with 0-20% urease bio-enzymes addition. Comparatively, the use of liquid concentrate bio-enzyme fermented from vegetable extracts for stabilization and other construction purposes, not only reduced the cost of construction (economy), but enhances improved handling, local content and sustainability.