Student Name: SHABEENA I
Guide Name: Dr Satheeshchandran R, Professor, CE, GEC Barton Hill & Sri.M S Biju, Assistant Professor, NSS College of engineering Palakkad
Project Area: SOIL EROSION
Year: 2020 , Duration: 1
Soil erosion is the major challenge in case of hilly areas and compacted profile. There
are different types of erosion takes place in sloping areas depending upon the intensity of
rainfall. The severity of erosion depends on the angle of inclination of slope, intensity of
rainfall, duration of rainfall and mainly lack of vegetation. Soil erosion in hilly areas causes
severe damage to the vegetation and embankments. Mostly soil get eroded due to its cohesion
less nature. For this problem we opt the method of chemical stabilisation. Similarly in case of
landfill, a daily cover is needed for the prevention of waste and air. Daily cover is the layer of
compressed soil or earth which is laid on a deposition of a day’s waste. Here also erosion is a
main problem. So an alternate material with some appreciable characteristics can be used as
the remedial for the above problem. Biopolymer is the polymer from living organism which is
biodegradable. The study investigates the controlling of erosion by the application of
biopolymer. Commonly used biopolymer is Polyacrylamide. But this study selected other two
biopolymers Xanthan gum and Guar gum based on their properties of non-toxicity, economical,
market availability etc. The study includes laboratory test and a field test based on ASTM
standards. The study evaluates the erosion control capacity of two biopolymers. On the basis
of results, although the XG treated soil sample exhibits higher strength values, the GG treated
soil sample possess maximum erosion control against rainfall and runoff. But some other
studies proven that XG treated soil exhibits superior erosion control capabilities than GG
treated soils, here my study contradicts the same and the following conclusions are also arrived.
Keywords : Erosion control technique, biopolymer, xanthan gum, guar gum, Bench scale
erosion test
