Effect of Chitosan on Soil Stabilization

Soil stabilization using biopolymers has emerged as an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional binders like cement and lime. In this study, Chitosan, a biopolymer derived from waste crustacean shells, was used to treat coarse and fine sand samples with various mass concentrations. We studied the hardness of the submerged samples in water for different periods, from one to six months, using cone penetration tests to evaluate the influence of Chitosan on soil stabilization. The results suggest that Chitosan-treated samples demonstrate increased hardness and can maintain their strength in the water for at least two months. Moreover, the durability in the water depends on the Chitosan concentration. The improved hardness of the samples is associated with the low moisture adsorption of Chitosan and its strong adhesion to sand particles. The findings provide valuable information to determine the optimal biopolymer concentration for future triaxial tests, which can further explore the shear strength parameters of Chitosan-treated soils.