Applications and challenges of biocementation in ground improvement: a critical review

Biocementation is a new sustainable and green technology in the area of geotechnical engineering. Biocementation enhances the strength of the soil and improvements in the engineering characteristics can also be observed. The most common biocementation technique is microbially induced calcite precipitation (MICP) which can be introduced into the soil by bioaugmenting or biostimulating ureolytic bacteria in the soil. These ureolytic bacteria help to fill the pore spaces of the soil and enhance its strength characteristics through the formation of calcite precipitate. This treatment can be used due to both its lesser impact on the environment and cost-effectiveness. However, the optimization of this technique needs more research for successful implementation in the field. This chapter aims to critically review applications of various biocementation techniques and their implementation in the area of geotechnical engineering.