Experimental study on optimization of pipe jacking mud mixture ratio based on MICP technology

• Published in: Scientific reports Vol. 14; no. 1; pp. 31459 - 12
• Main Authors: Cui, Guangqin, Zhang, Hang, Ma, Chenguang, Zhang, Xiaoli, Shao, Hong
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Nature Publishing Group UK 28.12.2024; Nature Publishing Group; Nature Portfolio
• Subjects: 631/1647; 639/166; Bentonite; Calcium carbonate; Carboxymethylcellulose; Carrying-soil effect; Cellulose; Chemical precipitation; Crystals; Excavation; Friction; Friction reduction effect; Humanities and Social Sciences; Mechanical properties; MICP; Microstructure; Mud; multidisciplinary; Polyacrylamide; Scanning electron microscopy; Science; Science (multidisciplinary); Slurries; Sodium carbonate; Soil mechanics; Soil stability; Xanthan gum; Mechanical properties; Carrying-soil effect; Microstructure; MICP; Mud; Friction reduction effect
• ISSN: 2045-2322; 2045-2322
• DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-83133-9

In the course of pipe jacking construction, the carrying-soil effect frequently arises, influenced by factors such as excavation unloading, ongoing disturbance from successive pipe sections, and the progressive accumulation of soil adhesion. The pipe jacking slurry serves as a critical agent for friction reduction and strata support, essential for the secure advancement of the construction process. This study introduces the Microbial-Induced Calcium Carbonate Precipitation (MICP) technology into the realm of pipe jacking slurry, aiming to enhance its friction-reduction capabilities and the stability of the soil enveloping the pipe. An optimal MICP-slurry formulation was determined using the uniform design approach. Subsequent model tests were carried out to assess the friction-reducing efficacy of the MICP-slurry, while the mechanism by which the MICP-slurry reinforces strata stability was investigated through soil mechanics and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analyses. The findings indicate that the optimal MICP-slurry composition is as follows: bentonite: sodium carboxymethyl cellulose: soda ash: polyacrylamide: xanthan gum = 12%: 0.31%: 0.36%: 0.25%: 0.54%. The MICP-slurry achieves a 42.2% reduction in the friction coefficient between the test block and the sand. In comparison with the untreated sample, the cohesion of the MICP-treated sample is enhanced by 38.12%, and the internal friction angle increases by 14.01%. SEM examination reveals that the calcium carbonate crystals precipitated by the MICP-slurry within the soil populate the pores, increase the inter-particle bite force, and bolster the soil’s mechanical characteristics.