93 / 2025-04-24 12:55:57

Evaluation of rainfall erosion reduction on slopes using biopolymer-based soil treatment (BPST) in response to climate-induced heavy rainfall

To mitigate slope surface erosion induced by intensive precipitation caused by an abnormal climate, soil improvement agents are being applied. Slope surface protection using soil improvement agents has the issue of budget waste owing to excessive content resulting from simple conventional recommendations. This study simply measures the degree of compaction and strength after construction with a soil pocket penetrometer and proposes a correlation to verify the reduction of surface erosion induced by intensive precipitation. The study results demonstrate that strength development is sufficient even with minimal soil improvement agents, so the amount recommended in the conventional guideline may be excessive, and it is also determined that inhibition of plant growth and high pH are concerns. Xanthan gum biopolymer was found to be helpful in erosion mitigation in intensive precipitation, even at low strength, as well as for plant development via water retention.