Biocementation-Based Coastal Infrastructure for Flood Protection and Beach Access

The research team proposes to study bio-cementation (via microbially- and enzymatically induced carbonate precipitation) as a method to stabilize engineered dune slopes in coastal areas. These stabilization methods are intended as a nature-based engineering solution for use in the construction of beach access ramps that can support vehicular traffic loads while simultaneously resisting erosion due to wave impact. The erosion resistance will be evaluated by subjecting untreated and treated dune sand slopes to varying wave forcing conditions in a moveable-bed wave flume. The resistance to traffic loading will be evaluated by measuring the unconfined compression strength and resilient modulus of untreated and bio cemented soil columns. Test results will be analyzed to address the effectiveness of both bio cementation methods in stabilizing dune slopes.