ABSTRACT
Microbial Induced Calcite Precipitation (MICP) is a sustainable technique increasingly used to improve the mechanical performance of soils and geomaterials. This process utilizes bacteria to produce calcium carbonate (CaCO₃), which naturally binds soil particles. Particle Flow Code (PFC) serves as an effective simulation tool, modelling the behaviour of granular materials by representing them as discrete particles (forces and bonds), adjusted through iterative calibration. This research investigates the improvement of Uniaxial Compressive Strength (UCS) through MICP [Sporosarcina pasteurii (SP77)] treatment and verifies findings using PFC-based numerical simulations. The treatment lasted for 14 days, and simulations were designed to mirror the stress-strain response recorded in UCS testing, particularly focusing on the enhanced load-bearing capacity of MICP-treated samples i.e. 198.31 kPa. MICP increases compressive strength due to particle bonding. Overall, the close alignment between experimental and simulated outcomes confirms that UCS performance can be reliably modelled using the Discrete Element Method (DEM).
