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Biomimicry in the Context of Stabilised Porous Clays

Summary

Researchers developed a new way to strengthen loose soil by mimicking how fungi naturally stabilize soil in nature. Instead of compacting soil (which reduces its ability to support plant growth and fluid movement), they treat it with a waste product from sugar refineries mixed with a binding agent. The treated soil becomes stronger and stiffer while remaining porous and loose, maintaining its ability to support ecosystem functions while meeting engineering requirements.

Background

Conventional soil stabilization methods rely on densification, which compromises ecosystems and subsurface microbial growth. This study explores nature-inspired design based on Aristotle’s doctrine of hylomorphism to develop alternative stabilization approaches that maintain soil porosity while improving engineering properties.

Objective

To develop a biomimetic pathway for stabilizing clays while maintaining or increasing porosity by imitating arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi behavior. The study aims to achieve void ratios from 0.50 to 0.70 and air ratios from 0.15 to 0.33 while preserving stiffness and strength.

Results

Void ratio increased from 0.50 to 0.70 and air ratio from 0.15 to 0.33 while maintaining strength and stiffness. Shear wave velocity increased by 20%, indicating enhanced interparticle engagement. Peak strength ranged from 70-80 kPa at optimal conditions, with a strength threshold identified around 33% air void content.

Conclusion

Nature-inspired soil stabilization using biopolymers can increase porosity while maintaining engineering and ecological services, departing from conventional densification-based methods. The approach remains effective up to approximately 30-33% air void content, with degradation beyond this point due to insufficient water for hydration and geopolymerization processes.
  • Published in:Biomimetics (Basel),
  • Study Type:Experimental Laboratory Study,
  • Source: PMID: 40422120, PMCID: PMC12109495, DOI: 10.3390/biomimetics10050290
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