ABSTRACT
Partial saturation via air/gas injection is a sustainable liquefaction countermeasure. However, its practical application is limited due to concerns regarding the long-term stability of entrapped air/gas bubbles, which tend to dissipate under steady flow conditions, leading to re-saturation. This study explores the use of xanthan gum as a stabilizing agent to enhance the durability of entrapped bubbles within the soil matrix. Induced partially saturated sand specimens were prepared using an air-injection technique, followed by steady flow-based durability testing. Shake table tests were conducted to simulate seismic conditions and evaluate liquefaction resistance. Post-treatment analyses indicated that xanthan gum-assisted bubble entrapment maintained partial saturation, with only a 2–2.5% increase over four weeks, confirming long-term stability. Under seismic loading up to 2.0 m/s², excess pore pressure remained below the critical ru = 1 threshold. The results demonstrate that xanthan gum significantly improves the persistence of desaturation, resulting in enhanced liquefaction resistance. The proposed technique offers a durable, sustainable solution that enhances long-term soil stability against liquefaction.
