Microstructural transition and densification behavior of modified soil: a quantitative SEM study
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.54355/tbus/6.1.2026.0095Keywords:
xanthan gum, soil stabilization, microstructural transition, scanning electron microscopy, densification indexAbstract
This study investigates the microstructural transition and densification behavior of xanthan gum–modified soil using quantitative scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis. Soil specimens were prepared with 0%, 3%, 6%, and 9% xanthan gum content. SEM images were processed using image analysis techniques to determine the solid area fraction and characteristic particle size parameters. A densification index was introduced to quantify the ratio between solid and pore phases within the observed microstructure. The results reveal a non-monotonic structural evolution with increasing polymer content. The solid area fraction reached its maximum at 3%, indicating the compact particle arrangement. At 6%, a pronounced decrease in densification was observed, suggesting disruption of particle packing due to non-uniform polymer distribution. At 9%, partial recovery of structural continuity occurred, accompanied by evidence of polymer agglomeration and spatial heterogeneity. Based on quantitative metrics and microstructural observations, three structural stages were identified: discrete particle stage, bridged stage, and matrix-dominated stage. The findings demonstrate that xanthan gum dosage significantly influences soil microstructure in a nonlinear manner. This SEM-based approach provides a systematic framework for identifying microstructural transitions in biopolymer-modified soils.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Assel Tulebekova, Natalya Ryvkina, Dauren Yessentay, Akmaral Yeleussinova
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
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Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Kazakhstan
Grant numbers AP26195121
