A process that works with naturally occurring microbes in soil to reduce its water content is showing promise as a more environmentally sustainable way to stabilize buildings in earthquake-prone zones, says new research presented at an American Geophysical Union meeting earlier this month.
Quake tremors can cause liquefaction of water-logged soils, leaving some buildings susceptible to collapse. Typically, crews use permeation grouting, which involves injecting portland cement into the soil at a building site prior to construction, or flowing water and cement beneath an existing building, to mitigate liquefaction risk.