Experimental research on the feasibility of phosphogypsum-enzyme induced carbonate precipitation (EICP) solidified loess

Abstract To improve the effect of bio-cemented loess, taking into account the characteristics of phosphogypsum and the biochemical principle of enzyme-induced calcium precipitation (EICP), a series of mechanical and microscopic tests are designed and carried out to systematically analyze the enhance...

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Main Authors: Tao Dang, Yuanzhu Ji, Yuanquan Guo, Fangchen Ma, Zhiyi Zhang, Baozhen Liang, Xuewen Rong
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-08-01
Series:Scientific Reports
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-15229-9
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author Tao Dang
Yuanzhu Ji
Yuanquan Guo
Fangchen Ma
Zhiyi Zhang
Baozhen Liang
Xuewen Rong
author_facet Tao Dang
Yuanzhu Ji
Yuanquan Guo
Fangchen Ma
Zhiyi Zhang
Baozhen Liang
Xuewen Rong
author_sort Tao Dang
collection DOAJ
description Abstract To improve the effect of bio-cemented loess, taking into account the characteristics of phosphogypsum and the biochemical principle of enzyme-induced calcium precipitation (EICP), a series of mechanical and microscopic tests are designed and carried out to systematically analyze the enhancement effect of phosphogypsum enhanced EICP solidified loess and the enhancement mechanism. Concentrations of urea and calcium chloride as variables, and unconfined compressive strength (UCS) as an indicator to determine the optimal solution ratio of EICP. Subsequently, different phosphogypsum incorporation ratios were considered to determine the optimal mix proportion for EICP-phosphogypsum co-stabilized loess.The results showed that the addition of phosphogypsum can effectively improve the UCS, water stability, shear strength, and compression characteristics of EICP solidified loess. The phosphogypsum-EICP method has a better effect on improving the strength and water stability of loess with the content of phosphogypsum at 1.0%, compared with the loess treated by EICP, the strength of the specimen with 1.0% phosphogypsum content increased by 19.7%. The microstructure of the solidified loess specimens indicates that the calcium carbonate crystals generated by EICP fill the pores in the loess, thereby reducing its porosity. In addition, phosphogypsum reacts with water to produce hydration, resulting in stronger cementation between calcium carbonate and soil particles.
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spelling doaj-art-7bb3acbfe6d3486fa67888f91af9b68d2025-08-20T04:02:46ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-08-0115111410.1038/s41598-025-15229-9Experimental research on the feasibility of phosphogypsum-enzyme induced carbonate precipitation (EICP) solidified loessTao Dang0Yuanzhu Ji1Yuanquan Guo2Fangchen Ma3Zhiyi Zhang4Baozhen Liang5Xuewen Rong6School of Highways, Chang’an UniversityCollege of Water Resource and Architectural Engineering, Northwest A&F UniversityCollege of Water Resource and Architectural Engineering, Northwest A&F UniversityShaanxi Huashan Road and Bridge Group Co., Ltd.China United Northwest Institute for Engineering Design & Research Co., Ltd.Shaanxi Construction Engineering Group Co., Ltd.Shaanxi Huashan Road and Bridge Group Co., Ltd.Abstract To improve the effect of bio-cemented loess, taking into account the characteristics of phosphogypsum and the biochemical principle of enzyme-induced calcium precipitation (EICP), a series of mechanical and microscopic tests are designed and carried out to systematically analyze the enhancement effect of phosphogypsum enhanced EICP solidified loess and the enhancement mechanism. Concentrations of urea and calcium chloride as variables, and unconfined compressive strength (UCS) as an indicator to determine the optimal solution ratio of EICP. Subsequently, different phosphogypsum incorporation ratios were considered to determine the optimal mix proportion for EICP-phosphogypsum co-stabilized loess.The results showed that the addition of phosphogypsum can effectively improve the UCS, water stability, shear strength, and compression characteristics of EICP solidified loess. The phosphogypsum-EICP method has a better effect on improving the strength and water stability of loess with the content of phosphogypsum at 1.0%, compared with the loess treated by EICP, the strength of the specimen with 1.0% phosphogypsum content increased by 19.7%. The microstructure of the solidified loess specimens indicates that the calcium carbonate crystals generated by EICP fill the pores in the loess, thereby reducing its porosity. In addition, phosphogypsum reacts with water to produce hydration, resulting in stronger cementation between calcium carbonate and soil particles.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-15229-9EICPPhosphogypsumStrengthWater stability
spellingShingle Tao Dang
Yuanzhu Ji
Yuanquan Guo
Fangchen Ma
Zhiyi Zhang
Baozhen Liang
Xuewen Rong
Experimental research on the feasibility of phosphogypsum-enzyme induced carbonate precipitation (EICP) solidified loess
Scientific Reports
EICP
Phosphogypsum
Strength
Water stability
title Experimental research on the feasibility of phosphogypsum-enzyme induced carbonate precipitation (EICP) solidified loess
title_full Experimental research on the feasibility of phosphogypsum-enzyme induced carbonate precipitation (EICP) solidified loess
title_fullStr Experimental research on the feasibility of phosphogypsum-enzyme induced carbonate precipitation (EICP) solidified loess
title_full_unstemmed Experimental research on the feasibility of phosphogypsum-enzyme induced carbonate precipitation (EICP) solidified loess
title_short Experimental research on the feasibility of phosphogypsum-enzyme induced carbonate precipitation (EICP) solidified loess
title_sort experimental research on the feasibility of phosphogypsum enzyme induced carbonate precipitation eicp solidified loess
topic EICP
Phosphogypsum
Strength
Water stability
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-15229-9
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