Biogeotechnics

We are calling papers for the Special Issue "Atmosphere-Plant-Soil Interactions in Geotechnical Engineering" Topics covered: Hydro-mechanical reinforcement of plants Water and air migration in unsaturated vegetated soils Stability analysis of vegetated slopes Role of vegetation in soil erosion control Plant root-bacteria-soil interactions in rhizosphere soil Interactions between plant root and biochar-based materials Influence of root exudates on unsaturated soil behavior Phytoremediation of contaminated soils Water purification using hydrophyte Constitutive and numerical modeling of root-permeated soils This issue welcomes articles on soil bioengineering using vegetation for geotechnical infrastructures. Contributions from engineers and related researchers and multidisciplinary submissions are encouraged. Guest Editors Prof. Anthony Leung, Prof. Junjun Ni, Dr. Viroon Kamchoom https://lnkd.in/gmMdBfgJ

Dear all, this is our last paper on biocementation. We used 3D printing for building the device, which was novel for us. Main observation: Bacteria like to have space, so they are slightly less active in the soil pores than in test tubes. Best regards, Rafaela

With the increasing demand for buildings and infrastructures and the mounting challenges associated with the current construction technologies such as high emission, high pollution, and high energy consumption, the civil engineering profession is at the crossroad for a transformation or upgrading before it can be put into tasks for these challenges. Inspired by the concept of harmonious coexistence between humans and nature, a new concept, biogenic construction, for civil engineering is proposed in this paper. The definition of biogenic construction is given. The framework and four components of biogenic construction are established. These include microbial construction, plant construction, animal construction, and bioinspired construction. Examples of each component are given. A new construction system for creating a more eco-friendly, healthier, and more sustainable environment for future civil engineering developments is also proposed. The concept of biogenic construction was firstly proposed by Professor Hanlong Liu. Thanks to his pioneering contribution in the field of civil engineering. The full paper can be found at https://lnkd.in/g4qMQ2uG

Many of our journals are offering a full waiver of their usual article publishing charge (APC) for accepted papers submitted during #OA Week (21-27 October 2024). @SPARC_NA Find out the journals:https://lnkd.in/g_eD837P

Characterizing the architecture of tree root systems is essential to advance the development of root-inspired anchorage in engineered systems. The paper accepted by BG explores the structural root architectures of orchard trees to understand the interplays between the mechanical behavior of roots and the root architecture. The paper presented unique data on statistical variations in architectural and geometrical parameters of tree root systems which provides essential information necessary to define the extent and interconnectivity of mechanically important structural roots. The simulation of root systems based on such information would allow re-creation of a wide range of possible root architectures, varying geometric parameters, and a level of complexity from a simple model to more complex models. This could facilitate exploration of the architecture parametric space in both physical and numerical modeling, thus allowing for the connection of root architecture with the mechanical behavior of root structures to provide a better understanding of the mechanical interactions of root systems with the surrounding soils. More can be found at https://lnkd.in/gE3kQC3Q Thanks to the authors: Min-Kyung Jeon, Matthew Burrall, Tae-Hyuk Kwon, Jason DeJong, and Alejandro Martinez for their contribution.

The 2nd International Conference on Microbial Biotechnology in Construction Materials and Geotechnical Engineering is ongoing in Singapore. As one of the co-organizers, Biogeotechnics meet global scholars in the field of biogenic construction. The first Global Editorial Member Meeting was organized on the evening of today as well. It was very exciting to meet our editorial teams: Hanlong Liu, Jian Chu, Ed Kavazanjian, Jason DeJong, Brina Montoya, Chao-Sheng TANG...... There will be more exciting reports tomorrow.

Loose tailings are susceptible to static liquefaction during which they lose a substantial amount of their strength.  How does MICP reduce the liquefaction potential of tailing? This paper may give you an impression. The researchers from UNIVERSITY OF WESTERN ONTARIO performed a series of direct simple shear tests on  gold mine silty sand tailings. Details can be found at https://lnkd.in/g48QuwZE Thanks to Hamed Behzadipour and Abouzar Sadrekarimi for their excellent works.

The understanding of rainfall-induced landslides on gentle, loose-fill slopes is limited in comparison to steep slopes. In the paper published recently in Biogeotechnics, two physical model tests were conducted on silty sand slopes under continuous rainfall: one on a bare slope and the other on a slope planted with ryegrass. A series of conclusions were obtained based on the test results. It suggests that the gain in shear strength due to ryegrass roots surpasses the additional sliding force caused by the increased water retention capability. Additionally, it is found that the abrupt change in pore pressure was no longer indicative of slope failure in the case of the grass-reinforced slope. More can be found at https://lnkd.in/gARmDhmv Thanks to the group of Prof. Rui Chen from the Harbin Institute of Technology, Shenzhen, China

We recently accepted a paper using Discrete Element Simulations to predict the response of bio-cemented sands. The influence of boundary conditions, loading and testing conditions, and material types are considered. Both the classical DEM model and the pore scale finite volume (PFV)-coupled DEM model are used to simulate the response of saturated uncemented and lightly cemented sands with a rigid wall boundary under both drained and undrained triaxial compression. More can be found at https://lnkd.in/gjfFZQga Thanks to Pu Yang, Ed Kavazanjian, Narayanan Neithalath for the excellent work.

Thanks to Gowthaman Sivakumar (Ph.D.) and his team for their valuable contributions.