Exploring the use of Eco-Engineered Solution for Minimizing Deformation of Saline Soils: Newly Established SWCCs and SSCCs of Biochar-Amended Cohesive Soils

Liu W. Garg A. Xiao L. Zhussupbekov A. Satyam N.
2025 Springer

Indian Geotechnical Journal
2025

This study investigates the effects of biochar amendments on the physical and hydromechanical properties of cohesive soils (kaolin-like soil and bentonite) under varying porewater salinities. The research evaluates how biochar content (0%, 5%, and 10%) and NaCl concentrations (0%, 1%, 5%, and 10%) influence soil–water characteristic curves (SWCCs), shrinkage behavior, and Atterberg limits. Results show biochar amendments reduce the liquid limit of kaolin-like soil by 54–95% and bentonite by 2–45% under increasing salinity, while increasing shrinkage limits by up to 31% in bentonite. Biochar significantly mitigates salinity-induced volumetric shrinkage (29.5% reduction in kaolin-like soil) and enhances water retention capacity at high suction (> 65% saturation). These improvements demonstrate direct relevance to geotechnical applications: for landfill liners, biochar minimizes desiccation cracking under saline leachate exposure; and for slope stability, enhanced water retention maintains soil suction during rainfall events, delaying pore pressure buildup. Biochar’s modification of soil fabric supports its potential as an eco-engineered solution in saline environments, though long-term field validation is recommended.

Biochar , Clay , Cohesive soil , Landfill liner , Porewater salinity

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Department of Civil and Smart Construction Engineering, Shantou University, Shantou, China
Department of Health and Environmental Sciences, Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, Suzhou, China
Department of Civil Engineering, Eursian National University, Astana, Kazakhstan
Department of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Guwahati, India

Department of Civil and Smart Construction Engineering
Department of Health and Environmental Sciences
Department of Civil Engineering
Department of Civil Engineering

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