Kyungho Park

Effects of Ground Conditions on Microbial Cementation in Soils

The purpose of this study is to understand the effect of ground conditions on microbial cementation in cohesionless soils. Since the method of microbial cementation is still at the experimental stage, for its practical use in the field, a number of laboratory experiments are required for the quantification of microbial cementation under various ground conditions, such as relative densities, relative compactions and particle size distributions. In this study, in order to evaluate the effectiveness of microbial cementation in treated sands and silts, an experiment was performed for different relative densities of silica sands, for different relative compactions of silts and for different particle size distributions of weathered soils sampled from the field. Scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy and mapping analyses were implemented for the quantification of the levels of microbial cementations for sand, silt and weathered soil specimens. Based on the test results, a considerable microbial cementation was estimated depending on the soil conditions; therefore, an implementation of this new type of bio-grouting on a weak foundation may be possible to increase the strength and stiffness of weak ground.

Potential Soil Contamination in Areas Where Ferronickel Slag Is Used for Reclamation Work

This study aims to analyze contamination with the use of soil reclaimed with ferronickel slag (FNS). In order to investigate any contamination due to FNS disposal, soils were collected from three sites. The contamination analysis was done on these samples through a series of laboratory tests. Furthermore, laboratory tests simulating field conditions were performed in a soil chamber. In the lab test, three leaching agents, namely fresh water, acidic water and seawater, were used. The soil samples used were sand and silt with a relative density of 40% and a compaction ratio of 90%, respectively. The pH of the effluent discharged from the experimental soil chamber was also analyzed. After leaching, soil samples were subjected to analysis. The results showed that pH was higher in the silt than in the sand. The results of the laboratory tests exhibited that leaching of hazardous elements from FNS is limited, so that it can be used as a substitute for natural aggregate in the cement industry or construction applications.

Effect of Strength Enhancement of Soil Treated with Environment-Friendly Calcium Carbonate Powder

This study aims to investigate the effects of the strength improvement of soft ground (sand) by producing calcium carbonate powder through microbial reactions. To analyze the cementation effect of calcium carbonate produced through microbial reaction for different weight ratios, four different types of specimens (untreated, calcium carbonate, cement, and calcium carbonate + cement) with different weight ratios (2%, 4%, 6%, and 8%) were produced and cured for a period of 3 days, 7 days, 14 days, 21 days, and 28 days to test them. The uniaxial compression strength of specimens was measured, and the components in the specimen depending on the curing period were analyzed by means of XRD analysis. The result revealed that higher weight ratios and longer curing period contributed to increased strength of calcium carbonate, cement, and calcium carbonate + cement specimens. The calcium carbonate and the calcium carbonate + cement specimens in the same condition showed the tendency of decreased strength approximately 3 times and two times in comparison with the 8% cement specimens cured for 28 days, but the tendency of increased strength was approximately 4 times and 6 times in comparison with the untreated specimen.

An Environmentally Friendly Soil Improvement Technology with Microorganism

Cement or lime is generally used to improve the strength of soil. However, bacteria were utilized to produce cementation of loose soils in this study. The microo rganism called Bacillus, and CaCl2 was introduced into loose sand and soft silt and CaCO3 in the voids of soil particles were produced, leading to cementation of soil particles. In this study, loose sand and soft silt typically encountered in Korea were bio-treated with 3 types of bacteria concentration. The cementation (or calcite precipitation) in the soil particles induced by the high concentration bacteria treatment was investigated at 7 days after curing. Based on the results of Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) tests and EDX analyses, high concentration bacteria treatment for loose sand was observed to produce noticeable amount of CaCO3, implying a significant cementation of soil particles. It was observed that higher calcium carbonate depositions were observed in poorly graded distribution as compared to well graded distribution. In addition, effectiveness of biogrouting has also been found to be feasible by bio-treatment without any cementing agent.

Analysis of Homogel Uniaxial Compression Strength on Bio Grouting Material

This study analyzed uniaxial compression strength over time by preparing a homogel specimen from a bio grouting material, a cement-like form produced by environment-friendly microbial reactions. Among chemical grouting methods, the most commonly used method is the Labile Waterglass method. In this study, the homogel uniaxial compressive strength of Labile Waterglass (LW) injection material and that of bio grouting material were measured and analyzed. In order to perform the experiment, a total of 10 types of grouting mixing ratios were prepared by a combination of different materials such as Ordinary Portland Cement, Micro Cement, Bio Grouting Material and Sodium Silicate. They were cured in the air, and their homogel uniaxial compression strengths were measured on days 1, 3, 7 and 28 Based on the test results, it was confirmed that the uniaxial strength of the specimen made with Bio Grouting Material, Ordinary Portland Cement and Micro Cement was increased by more than 30% than that of the specimen only used with Ordinary Portland Cement, as a result of hydrogen-released heat reaction between calcium carbonate, the main ingredient of the bio grouting material, and calcium silicate in the cement. This indicates that the use of 30% bio-grouting material instead of cement in the grouting can be a reasonable mixing ratio to save the use of cement, leading to reduction in CO2 emission.

Improvement Method of Sand Ground Using an Environmental Friendly Bio-grouting Material

The purpose of this research is to evaluate the improvements in the strength and injection range of loose ground after injecting (created by microorganism reaction). For this purpose, three cases of single-layer (Sand, SP, SW) specimens were made in a 150mm D 200mm H space and two cases of multi-layer specimens (SW/SP, SP/SW) were made in a 150mm D 300mm H space. The specimens were made with a relative density of 30% of soft ground and an injection was given over a time of one day. The uniaxial compression strength was measured with a cone penetrometer and the injection range was observed by checking the bulb formation around the injection nozzle. Also, the compositions of the specimens were assessed through XRD analyses. Based on the test results, a compressive strength of 500kPa and 15cm thick cementation were noted due to the cementation of the soil. This implies that there are significant effects of the pore condition and size on bio-grouting technology.

Analysis of the Bearing Capacity of Helical Pile with Hexagonal Joints

This study aims to improve shafts with hexagonal joints so that they will not require welding or bolts in static load tests. In order to evaluate the bearing capacity of helical piles, two sites were selected to conduct pile installation for the field test and the pile load test. For the pile load test, a static pile load test and a dynamic pile load test were carried out, and torque was measured during pile installation in a field test to compare and analyze the expected bearing capacity and thus assess the feasibility of the method for estimating the bearing capacity. The field pile load test revealed that the bearing capacity of the gravity grout pile was the same or greater than 600 kN in the static pile load test in accordance with the AC 358 code. The non-grout pile showed a bearing capacity that was the same or smaller than 600 kN, suggesting that gravity grouting is required. Moreover, the field pile load test was used to establish the bearing capacity equation considering the torque in the pile installation, and a small number of samples were used to establish the equation, which can be used as basic data.

Improvement of Saemangeum Dredged Soils Using Coffee Sludge for Vegetation Soil

In Korea, a large scale national project (Saemangeum Project) has been underway that requires a huge amount of dredged soils and their reclamation. Although a lot of dredged soil is needed for reclamation, only about 10% of the dredged soil is used. For this reason, much effort should be made to extensively use the dredged soil. The objective of the study is to find reasonable ways of improving the dredged soils in the Saemangeum area so that they can be used for vegetation of land plants. In order to develop ameliorating methods, we treated silty sand samples, the representative dredged soil of Saemangeum, with mountain soil (0% and 30%), sawdust fertilizer (0% and 6%), bioameliorant (0% and 6%), and coffee sludge (3%, 6%, and 9%), measured the germination rate of bent grass, and applied the lab experiment results to the field for validation. As a result, it was verified that when a mixture of coffee sludge and sawdust fertilizer was used, the chemical and physical properties of dredged soil were significantly improved. This implies that the beneficial use of the dredged soil can be facilitated.

Resistance Factor and Target Reliability Index Calculation of Static Design Methods for Driven Steel Pipe Pile in Gwangyang

공식의 저항계수는 각각 0.611∼0.684, 0.821∼0.537, 선단부 N치 50이상인 경우 각각 0.608∼0.545, 0.749∼0.643으로 제안되 었다. 본 연구결과는 향후 다양한 기초구조물 및 지반구조물의 하중저항계수설계법 개발을 위한 자료로서 그 활용성이 있을 것이다. Abstract Recently, the necessity of developing the load and resistance factor design(LRFD) for soft ground improvement method has been raised, since the limit state design is requested as international technical standard for the foundation of structures. In this study, to develop LRFD codes for foundation structures in Korea, target reliability index and resistance factor for static bearing capacity of driven steel pipe piles were calibrated in the framework of reliability theory. The 16 data(in Gwangyang) and the 57 data(Korea Institute of Construction Technology, 2008) sets of static load test and soil property tests conducted in the whole domestic area were collected along with available subsurface investigation results. The resistance bias factors were evaluated for the tow static design methods by comparing the representative measured bearing capacities with the expected design values. Reliability analysis was performed by two types of advanced methods : the First Order Reliability Method (FORM), and the Monte Carlo Simulation (MCS) method using resistance bias factor statistics. As a result, when target reliability indices of the driven pipe pile were selected as 2.0, 2.33, 2.5, resistance factor of two design methods for SPT N at pile tip less than 50 were evaluated as 0.611∼0.684, 0.537∼0.821 respectively, and STP N at pile tip more than 50 were evaluated as 0.545∼0.608, 0.643∼0.749 respectively. The result from this research will be useful for developing various foundations and soil structures under LRFD.

A Study on the Effectiveness of Injection in Environmentally-Friendly Bio-grouting with Soil Conditions

Abstract The purpose of this research is to identify the effectiveness of injection with soil conditions by injectingCaCO 3 (created by microorganism reaction), which was recreated with equipment in similar situ condition. To analyzeour research, we made 2 cases of single-layer (SP, SW) in D 150mm X H 300mm. Layers were made by RC 70,80, 85, 90, 95% of soil condition. We measured uniaxial compression strength with cone penetrometer and watchedinjection range by checking a bulb formation around the injection nozzle. As a result, the relative compaction(RC)in more 85% were not injected in SW, we could identify the effect of bio-grouting technology on ground in relativecompaction(RC) of injection ratio and cementation range. key words : Bio-grouting, Soil Condition, Single-layer Soil, Injection ratio, Cementation rage This research was supported by Basic Science Research Program through the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) funded by the Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning(NRF-2013R1A1A105010106).