Innovative methods of ground improvement for railway embankment peat fens foundation soil

This paper presents research initiated with the aim of assessing feasibility biocementing peat fens soil, a problematic soil underlying many embankments East Anglia railway network (UK). Biocementation is an emerging, novel, ground improvement technique. It has recently attracted interest researchers worldwide because it been proposed as potentially environmentally superior to chemical grouts and other common stabilisers – for example, cement or lime (linked high carbon dioxide emissions). In this study, authors screened isolated non-pathogenic indigenous ureolytic microbial candidates potential biocementation from samples originating in Anglia, UK. Four strains were selected most suitable candidates, based on their growth rate viability wide range temperatures, pH moisture contents corresponding typical seasonal field conditions. After number unconfined compressive strength (UCS) tests, one strain (Bacillus licheniformis) was promising treatment used further study. Two different methods implementation treatments considered: namely, pressure flow column electrokinetic injection. The UCS results supported by calcium carbonate measurements proved that did occur both combinations. Ongoing work optimisation being carried out towards upscaling techniques situ implementation, which planned next stage research.