What the study found
The study found that enzyme-induced carbonate precipitation, or EICP, improved the freeze-thaw resistance and mechanical strength of Yili loess. Treated soil showed fewer cracks, higher strength, and a denser pore structure than untreated soil after freezing and thawing.
Why the authors say this matters
The authors state that the findings validate the feasibility of applying EICP in high-altitude cold regions. They also present an improvement mechanism for the structural weakness of Yili loess.
What the researchers tested
The researchers applied EICP to Yili loess and compared treated and untreated specimens under freeze-thaw cycle conditions. They measured unconfined compressive strength, initial elastic modulus, shear strength under coupled freeze-thaw and confining pressure conditions, and examined the soil structure with scanning electron microscopy.
What worked and what didn't
After 15 freeze-thaw cycles, EICP-treated specimens showed only minor surface cracks, while untreated specimens developed extensive crack networks. The treated loess had about 1.5 times higher unconfined compressive strength and 1.33 times higher initial elastic modulus, and these advantages remained after cycling at about 1.6 times and 2.2 times, respectively. Shear strength stayed higher in treated loess, mainly because cohesion increased, while the friction angle changed little.
What to keep in mind
The abstract does not describe sample size, field conditions, or longer-term performance beyond the reported freeze-thaw cycles. The findings are limited to the tested Yili loess and the conditions described in the study.
Key points
- EICP reduced freeze-thaw cracking in Yili loess.
- Treated specimens kept higher compressive strength and elastic modulus after 15 cycles.
- Shear strength improved mainly through increased cohesion, not friction angle.
- Microscopy showed calcium carbonate filled pores and made the structure denser.
- The authors say the approach appears feasible for high-altitude cold regions.
Disclosure
- Research title:
- EICP improved freeze-thaw resistance in Yili loess
- Authors:
- Guangming Shi, Yuan Xue, Dejun Yang, Ai Zhang, Weiming Guan, Junhui Zhang, Xinhui Pan, Dingyu Wang, Chao Jin
- Institutions:
- China University of Mining and Technology, China University of Mining and Technology, Xinjiang University, Xinjiang University, Xinjiang University, Xinjiang University, Xinjiang University, Xinjiang University, Xinjiang University, Xinjiang University
- Publication date:
- 2026-01-28
- OpenAlex record:
- View
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