We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Experimental Study on Expansive Soil Stabilization Using Biostimulation and Recycled Sanitary Napkin Fiber Reinforcement
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers found a clever way to recycle used sanitary napkins—turning them into fibers that, combined with natural soil bacteria, make unstable, crack-prone soil much stronger and less likely to shift with moisture. This matters because it tackles two problems at once: reducing pollution from sanitary waste (which often ends up in landfills or gets burned, releasing harmful particles into air and water) and creating safer ground for building roads and homes in areas with problem soils.
Expansive soils undergo significant volumetric changes with moisture fluctuations, posing challenges to infrastructure durability. Sanitary napkin disposal is one of the biggest issues, because it poses soil and water pollution due to its nonbiodegradable nature and air pollution because of disposal via incineration. Moreover, according to the recently developed technology by PadCare Labs, India, sanitary napkins can be converted into colorless, odorless, and sterilized plastic fibers. This study introduces a novel technique that utilizes the biostimulated microbially induced calcite precipitation (MICP) method and incorporates recycled sanitary napkin fibers (SNFs) for the stabilization of expansive soils and reduction of swelling. Integration of SNF into soil offers dual benefits: reinforcement and waste reduction. In the present study, native soil bacteria were stimulated to induce calcite precipitation, enhancing bonding, while SNFs improved crack resistance and tensile strength. Experimental work was conducted on expansive soil treated with varying SNF contents (0.25%–1%) and subjected to MICP after 2- and 4-day mellowing periods, followed by curing for 3, 7, and 14 days. Performance was evaluated through the free swell index (FSI), unconfined compressive strength (UCS), split tensile strength (STS), and a wet–dry cracking analysis, supported by microstructural and mineralogical tests. The results showed that MICP alone improved UCS by up to 156.5% and increased calcite content to 1.25%. SNF addition enhanced UCS by 200% and STS by 100% at 1% content. The combined approach significantly increased UCS up to 809.09% and reduced the FSI by 66.66%. The integration of MICP and SNF effectively improves soil strength, tensile resistance, and durability under cyclic conditions, offering a low-cost, eco-friendly solution. This approach supports Sustainable Development Goals 9, 11, 12, 13, and 15.
More Papers Like This
Expansive Soils Stabilized with Recycled Polypropylene Fibers: An Assessment Based on Laboratory and Life Cycle Data for Mechanical and Environmental Performance
AI summary Read the abstract
This study demonstrates that recycled polypropylene fibers can effectively stabilize expansive clayey soils, with laboratory tests showing improved strength and reduced swelling, while life cycle assessment confirmed lower environmental impact compared to traditional soil stabilization methods.
Valorization of construction and demolition waste as reinforcing nanofiller for polymer composites
AI summary Read the abstract
Scientists found a clever way to recycle two problem wastes at once: they ground up leftover concrete and brick dust from demolition sites and used it to strengthen recycled plastic, making it just as sturdy (or sturdier) than plastic reinforced with commercial clay additives. This matters because it could reduce the amount of both plastic and construction debris piling up in landfills, while also potentially cutting down on new plastic production—an important step in addressing the broader plastic waste and microplastic pollution problem, since less waste means fewer opportunities for plastics to break down into the tiny particles now showing up in our water, food, and even
Comprehensive Review of Geotechnical Engineering Properties of Recycled Polyethylene Terephthalate Fibers and Strips for Soil Stabilization
AI summary Read the abstract
This review synthesizes research on using recycled PET plastic fibers and strips as soil reinforcement in geotechnical engineering, finding that PET additions consistently improve shear strength, bearing capacity, and settlement resistance, while offering an environmentally beneficial second life for one of the most widely discarded plastic types.
Characteristic Properties of Plastic Wastes: Possibility of Reinforcing Material for Soil
AI summary Read the abstract
This paper reviews the potential for using shredded plastic waste as a reinforcing material in soil for civil engineering applications. It notes the growing plastic waste problem and explores how construction reuse could reduce landfill volumes while improving soil strength properties.
Use of recycled single-use plastics as bio-carrier for wastewater treatment
AI summary Read the abstract
Scientists turned single-use plastic waste into tiny carriers that host helpful bacteria for cleaning up factory wastewater, and it worked just as well as commercial products already used for this purpose. This matters because it gives discarded plastic a useful second life instead of letting it break down into microplastics that pollute waterways and potentially end up in the food we eat — a true win-win for both wastewater treatment and plastic pollution reduction.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.