Investigating the effect of Carrageenan biopolymer treatment method on soil stabilization (case study of Varamin plain soil)

Ignoring problematic soils can have major or even catastrophic financial consequences. One common approach to dealing with such soils is stabilization methods aimed at improving soil performance for engineering applications. Traditional stabilizers such as cement and lime improve soil behavior. However, despite their various benefits, these compounds have harmful environmental side effects. In this context, using carrageenan biopolymer as an alternative additive can increase soil strength without impacting the environment while minimizing the consumption of natural resources and energy. This study evaluates the effect of carrageenan biopolymer on soil stabilization in the Varamin Plain, a site with the highest settlement rate in the country. For this reason, soil samples were improved with varying percentages of biopolymer from ۰ to ۲% carrageenan. Unconfined compressive strength (UCS) tests were conducted at different curing times under ambient humidity and moisture retention conditions. The results showed that increasing biopolymer content and curing time improved the compressive strength of the soil and had a good effect on its mechanical properties. This research shows that carrageenan can be exploited as an efficient, sustainable, and environmentally friendly stabilizer in soil development, especially in soils with high settlement challenges such as the Varamin Plain.

کلیدواژه ها:

Biopolymer ، Soil stabilization ، Environmental impact ، Mechanical properties