Soil Strengthening Using Ethyl Cellulose

The current research presents a pilot study of a new application for a hydrophobic biopolymer to stabilize loose sand backfills under dry and wet conditions. Ethyl cellulose (EC) biopolymer is mixed with clean sand in concentration of 1%-2%, by weight. The unconfined compressive strength of the EC-treated sand ranged from 1.2 to 2.4 MPa. Compared to sand treated with similar concentration of Xanthan and Guar biopolymers, the compressive strength is higher, and the collapse potential is much lower. The EC-treated sand is insoluble in water and the strength is unaffected by soaking in water. The experimental program included studying the effect of different concentrations of various biopolymers on modifying the physical and mechanical properties of loose siliceous sand. The following tests are carried out on the biopolymer treated sand samples: unconfined compression, ultrasonic pulse velocity, one dimensional collapse potential and water inundation.