State-of-the-Art Review of Microbial-Induced Calcite Precipitation and Its Sustainability in Engineering Applications

Md Mizanur Rahman, Reena N. Hora, Isaac Ahenkorah, Simon Beecham, Md Rajibul Karim and Asif Iqbal
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Md Mizanur Rahman: Geotechnical Engineering, University of South Australia, UniSA STEM, Mawson Lakes, SA 5095, Australia
Reena N. Hora: Geotechnical Engineering, University of South Australia, UniSA STEM, Mawson Lakes, SA 5095, Australia
Isaac Ahenkorah: Geotechnical Engineering, University of South Australia, UniSA STEM, Mawson Lakes, SA 5095, Australia
Simon Beecham: Geotechnical Engineering, University of South Australia, UniSA STEM, Mawson Lakes, SA 5095, Australia
Md Rajibul Karim: Geotechnical Engineering, University of South Australia, UniSA STEM, Mawson Lakes, SA 5095, Australia
Asif Iqbal: Geotechnical Engineering, University of South Australia, UniSA STEM, Mawson Lakes, SA 5095, Australia

Sustainability, 2020, vol. 12, issue 15, 1-43

Abstract: Microbial-induced calcite precipitation (MICP) is a promising new technology in the area of Civil Engineering with potential to become a cost-effective, environmentally friendly and sustainable solution to many problems such as ground improvement, liquefaction remediation, enhancing properties of concrete and so forth. This paper reviews the research and developments over the past 25 years since the first reported application of MICP in 1995. Historical developments in the area, the biological processes involved, the behaviour of improved soils, developments in modelling the behaviour of treated soil and the challenges associated are discussed with a focus on the geotechnical aspects of the problem. The paper also presents an assessment of cost and environmental benefits tied with three application scenarios in pavement construction. It is understood for some applications that at this stage, MICP may not be a cost-effective or even environmentally friendly solution; however, following the latest developments, MICP has the potential to become one.

Keywords: MICP; geotechnical application; pavement; sustainable technology; eco-efficiency; biocementation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:15:p:6281-:d:394404

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