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2025 Vol.41, Issue 1 Preview Page
Elastic Wave Characteristics of Biopolymer-Treated Soils during Freeze–Thaw Cycles

바이오폴리머 혼합토의 반복 동결-융해에 따른 탄성파 특성

Sang Yeob Kim1
,
Byung-Kyu Kim2
,
Sung-Jin Lee3
,
Haegyeong Pyeon4*
김 상엽1
,
김 병규2
,
이 성진3
,
편 해경4*
1Member, Assistant Prof., Department of Fire and Disaster Prevention, Konkuk Univ.
2Member, Senior Researcher, Korea Railroad Research Institute
3Member, Principal Researcher, Korea Railroad Research Institute
4Member, Graduate Student, Department of Fire and Disaster Prevention, Konkuk Univ.
1정회원, 건국대학교 소방방재융합학과 조교수, 공동 제1저자
2정회원, 한국철도기술연구원 선임연구원, 공동 제1저자
3정회원, 한국철도기술연구원 책임연구원
4정회원, 건국대학교 소방방재융합학과 석사과정
*Corresponding Author
28 February 2025. pp. 33-43
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Abstract

Xanthan gum, a biopolymer widely used for soil stabilization, is a bio-derived polymer produced through microbial fermentation. It effectively enhances soil strength and stiffness. This study aims to measure variations in elastic wave velocity in biopolymer-treated soils during freeze–thaw cycles and to assess the effects of biopolymers on soil stability and structural properties under such conditions. The biopolymer content ranged from 0% to 10%, with the relative density and degree of saturation fixed at 60% and 30%, respectively. The experiment was conducted over 5 days, with each cycle consisting of 4 h of freezing and 20 h of thawing. Elastic wave signals were collected using bender elements and piezo disk element sensors. The results showed that elastic wave velocity initially increased with biopolymer content due to gel network formation, reached a maximum at the optimal content, and then decreased due to excessive gel formation. Under freezing conditions, velocity decreased at low biopolymer contents due to the instability of the gel network. At the optimal content, velocity increased due to enhanced compressive resistance, with the optimal concentration ranging from 1% to 5%. This study provides valuable data for selecting the biopolymer content most effective in improving soil stiffness and offers insights for its application in freeze–thaw field conditions.

Keywords
Biopolymer
Elastic wave
Freezing
Optimal content
Thawing

지반강화를 위해 다양하게 활용되는 바이오폴리머 중 잔탄검은 미생물 기반 발효 과정에서 생산되는 생물 고분자 물질로, 지반의 강도 및 강성 증진에 효과적인 것으로 알려져 있다. 본 연구는 바이오폴리머가 혼합된 흙의 동결-융해 과정 중 탄성파 속도 변화를 측정하고, 이를 통해 동결-융해 조건에서 바이오폴리머가 흙의 안정성 및 구조적 특성 변화에 미치는 잠재적 효과를 규명하는데 목적이 있다. 바이오폴리머 함량은 0~10%로 설정하였으며, 상대밀도와 포화도는 각각 60%와 30%로 고정하였다. 실험은 동결 4시간과 융해 20시간으로 구성된 주기를 5일간 반복하여 진행하였으며, 벤더 엘리먼트와 피에조 디스크 엘리먼트 센서를 활용하여 탄성파 신호를 수집하였다. 실험 결과, 탄성파 속도는 바이오폴리머 함량이 증가함에 따라 초기에는 겔 네트워크 형성으로 증가하다가, 최적 함량에서 최대값을 보이고 이후 과도한 겔 형성으로 감소하는 것으로 나타났다. 특히, 동결 상태에서는 낮은 함량에서 겔 네트워크 형성 불안정으로 속도가 감소하였고, 최적 함량에서 압축 저항성의 증가로 속도가 상승하는 경향을 보였으며, 최적 농도는 0.5~5% 범위에서 나타났다. 본 연구는 지반 강성 증진에 효과적인 바이오폴리머 함량를 선정하고 이를 동결-융해 현장에 적용하는데 유용한 자료로 활용될 것으로 기대된다.

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Information
  • Publisher :The Korean Geotechnical Society
  • Publisher(Ko) :한국지반공학회
  • Journal Title :Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
  • Journal Title(Ko) :한국지반공학회 논문집
  • Volume : 41
  • No :1
  • Pages :33-43
  • Received Date : 2025-02-03
  • Revised Date : 2025-02-13
  • Accepted Date : 2025-02-14
  • DOI :https://doi.org/10.7843/kgs.2025.41.1.33
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