Water retention characteristics and mechanical properties of vegetated biopolymer and biochar-reinforced sandy loam

Vegetation is a sustainable strategy for erosion control and slope stabilization, though its initial cultivation can be lengthy and potentially weaken soil structures. This study compared two bio-mediated ground improvement techniques, biopolymer and biochar, known for their supportive effects on vegetation growth. Additionally, a novel treatment combining biopolymer and biochar was examined for its potential in vegetated-engineering practices. Engineering performance was assessed through soil water characteristic curve, vegetation growth, direct shear testing, and rainfall simulation. The results revealed that biopolymer and biochar treatments enhanced soil water capacity but negatively impacted vegetation germination rates and shear strength of the reinforced soil, attributed to hydrogel formation and increased soil water content from irrigation. In comparison, soil reinforced with the combined method showed a promotion in the vegetation while maintaining the soil’s mechanical performance throughout the cultivation period and exhibited only minor reductions in the shear strength compared to other reinforced soils. Moreover, the new treatment showed improved soil erodibility under a majority of rainfall occasions, regardless of the vegetation coverage. This enhanced engineering performance by the new treatment is believed to be the polymerisation between the biopolymer hydrogel, biochar and soil particles.