Global Research Trends in Engineered Soil Development through Stabilisation: Scientific Production and Thematic Breakthrough Analysis

• Main Authors: Ravindran G., Bahrami A., Mahesh V., Katman H.Y.B., Srihitha K., Sushmashree A., Nikhil Kumar A.
• Other Authors: 57205017025
• Format: Article
• Published: Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI) 2024
• Subjects: bibliometrics; expansive soil; fibre reinforced soil; research trend mapping; scientometrics; soil stabilisation; trend analysis

Soil, a naturally occurring resource, is increasingly used as a construction material. Stabilisation strengthens soil, which is weak as an engineering material. Stabilising soil changes its physical qualities, enhancing its strength. Soil stabilisation increases the shear strength and load-bearing capacity. Soil stabilisation refers to any endeavour to change natural soil for engineering purposes using physical, chemical, mechanical, or biological methods, or a mix of these. Strengthening road pavements includes improving the load-bearing capacity, tensile strength, and performance of unstable subsoils, sands, and waste materials. Due to market demands and scientific advances, the number of soil-stabilising additives has increased. These innovative stabilisers include reinforcing fibres, calcium chloride, sodium chloride, and cross-linking water-based styrene acrylic polymers, which are geopolymers that boost the load-bearing capacity and tensile strength of soil. Many materials are being explored for soil stabilisation. In this article, the authors investigated the direction of soil stabilisation research. Scientometric analysis identifies stabilisation challenges and research trends in the field. This study analysed research patterns by countries, authors, institutions, keywords, and journals from 1959 to 2023