Year

2024

Season

Spring

Paper Type

Master's Thesis

College

College of Computing, Engineering & Construction

Degree Name

Master of Science in Civil Engineering (MSCE)

Department

Engineering

NACO controlled Corporate Body

University of North Florida. School of Engineering

First Advisor

Dr. Raphael W. Crowley

Second Advisor

Dr. Brian Wingender

Third Advisor

Dr. Terri Ellis

Abstract

This thesis investigates the effectiveness of microbially-induced calcium carbonate precipitation (MICP) using the recently introduced bioslurry treatment method via surface percolation. To simulate realistic water forcing conditions, a piston-style erosion rate testing apparatus, specifically the Florida Department of Transportation Sediment Erosion Rate Flume, was used. Initial tests conducted at a high shear stress of 42 Pa revealed that a combination of 15% bioslurry and 85% cementation solution exhibited the strongest erosion resistance when compared to other ratios between bioslurry and cementation solution. Subsequent experiments focused on separating the specimen into a "loose" part and a “surface crust,” with shear stresses applied to assess erosion rate and critical shear stress of each of these specimen subsections. Results showed that MICP treatment increased the critical shear stress slightly in the “loose” subsections., while the “crust” subsections exhibited as much as 7 times higher critical shear stresses compared to untreated specimens. These findings suggest that MICP treatment holds promise in bolstering the erosion resistance of coastal environments.

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