College of Engineering – Department of Civil Engineering

BIOWASTE USAGE TO REDUCE LIQUEFACTION DAMAGE

IN BATANGAS PORT

A Research Project Proposal Presented to the Faculty of Civil Engineering Department

Batangas State University - The National Engineering University

Alangilan Campus, Batangas City

In Partial Fulfillment

of the Requirements for the Degree

Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering

Submitted by:

De Mesa, Ma. Xandra D.

Macabales, Raisa Jane B.

Osias, Laralyn A.

Yabyabin, Gerald Ayn B.

April 2, 2024
 CHAPTER II

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

This chapter is dedicated to exploring an extensive range of related literature and

studies derived from global and local perspectives. In this section, conceptual literature,

synthesis, and conceptual framework are included to have a deeper understanding on the

usage of biowaste to mitigate liquefaction damage in Batangas Port. Through a thorough

examination of both foreign and local sources, this chapter aims to provide better

perception about related theories and studies, practical applications, and potential

challenges that are applicable and possible in the current study.

2.1. CONCEPTUAL LITERATURE

Biowaste, also known as biodegradable waste, encompasses a diverse range of

organic materials that naturally decompose under various conditions. These include

aerobic environments, where oxygen is present, and anaerobic settings, where oxygen is

absent. Some of the examples of biowaste are forestry and agricultural residues, industrial

waste, and commercial food waste. Specifically, this waste includes leftover plant

material from farms, crop residues, wood chips, animal waste, fruit and vegetable skins,

kitchen scraps, garden waste, paper and cardboard wastes, etc. (Team Green Sutra, 2018)

On the other hand, according to Shahar B. et al. (2023), soil liquefaction is a

natural danger frequently experienced during earthquakes and stands out as one of the

most devastating phenomena linked to earthquakes. Batangas, like many areas in the

Philippines, is prone to earthquakes due to its location along the Pacific Ring of Fire. As
a result, the area is experiencing numerous seismic activities that can trigger liquefaction

along its coast. (Philippine Volcanology and Seismology, 2017)

When liquefaction occurs, structures and infrastructure may sink, rise, or tilt,

while the ground can also crack, spread, settle, or trigger landslides. The resulting

damage often causes significant human casualties, disrupts essential services, and leads to

economic losses that could force the abandonment of previously inhabited regions,

presenting a major hurdle to community resilience. (Shahar et al., 2023)

In connection with this, a study conducted by Iai (2019) provides a discussion

about advancements regarding seismic performance of geotechnical structures in ports. It

focuses on understanding soil liquefaction effects and new approaches to assessing

seismic resilience. It was mentioned that such assessment relied on traditional methods

for stimulating the cyclic behavior of sandy soil under undrained conditions. Moreover,

challenges from soil-structure-fluid interactions are also recognized as evidenced by

incidents such as the 2011 East Japan earthquake.

Conclusively, it is crucial to prioritize the discovery and implementation of

methods to mitigate soil liquefaction. This is essential to safeguarding infrastructure,

protecting lives, and ensuring long-term stability and resilience, especially in regions

prone to seismic activity. Through this ongoing research, innovative engineering

solutions can help to reduce risks associated with soil liquefaction, and promote a safer,

more sustainable-built environment for incoming generations.

2.2. RELATED LITERATURE

Foreign

Biowastes produce a lot of methane in landfills due to microbes that feed on them

that turn the remaining organic matter into methane and carbon dioxide (Gasum, 2024).

These gasses are flammable and can cause serious damage not just to people but to the

environment as well. Landfills are filled with these biowaste materials that are not

processed or recycled. Due to this, large amounts of methane and carbon dioxide are

found in landfills where landfill explosions can be found on a daily basis (New York

State, 2024). If these biowaste are turned to biowaste materials to be used on different

industries before it starts undergoing microbial reactions, they can be used for soil

foundations and reduce or prevent liquefaction damage and not just a fermenting bunch

of garbage in our landfills.

Accordingly, a single food-focused producer can generate 8,000 tons of biowaste

fiber per year (Oatly, 2022). As the population and demand for more sustainable food

increases, these biowastes will continue to grow in volume and can be dilapidating if not

handled correctly. Most biowastes are disregarded due to its fiber content which the

humans’ body cannot process. This includes fruit and vegetable skins and other products

like coconut shells and oat fibers.

On another note, fibers are useful materials in making soil foundations more

stable. Natural fibers, according to the study published by Noaman (2020) shows that

they are low-cost as well as efficient soil stabilizing materials due to its natural

composition that lets in hold stronger when wet or subjected as a material for mixing.
They had a good shear resistance and compression resistance values which may help in

stabilizing soil foundations. To combine biowaste with soil, a wet deep soil mixing

method is applied. Based on the study of Schaefer V. et al. (2014), the wet deep soil

mixing method (DMM) is commonly utilized for seismic stabilization in waterfront

developments. Various researches demonstrated that even partially damaged DMM mixed

elements in unimproved soil can maintain satisfactory performance of the structure

during strong earthquake events.

The practical application of biowaste materials has emerged as an acceptable

means in the pursuit of sustainable development. According to Bugallo et al. (2022), the

utilization of biowaste materials, due to their low cost, promotes social and economic

sustainability. Biowaste helps communities during seismic-related events by using them

to minimize soil problems. This makes places safer and reduces issues like people losing

their homes or jobs. Also, using biowaste in projects to stop soil issues can involve the

community and help them learn new skills. People who live nearby can help collect,

process, and use bio waste materials, which makes them feel more involved and in

control. In addition, biowaste materials are often easy to find, locally available, and

cost-effective, so it is a good option instead of regular building materials. With that,

projects using biowaste can cost less, especially in places where resources are limited.

Using biowaste can create new jobs, businesses, and ways for the economy to grow. In

the same study, the researchers also noted that this kind of materials possess a high-water

absorption capacity. Biowaste materials, including agricultural residues and food waste,

exhibit a remarkable capacity to absorb water. This property makes them invaluable for

water management solutions, particularly in regions facing liquefaction problems. Due to

this characteristic, it has the potential to help reduce water pressure and mitigate the risk

of liquefaction when mixed with soil.

Soil liquefaction stands out as a leading contributor to earthquake-related

damages. Despite advancements in understanding and mitigating its impacts, instances of

liquefaction persist. Moreover, the escalation of waste production and carbon emissions

underscores the pressing need for innovative soil stabilization methods and sustainable

solutions. With reference on the research conducted by Orense et al. (2019) of the

University of Auckland, New Zealand entitled “Mitigation of Soil Liquefaction with Two

Sustainable Materials: Biochar and Laponite”, the efficacy of two environmentally

friendly materials, namely laponite and biochar, in enhancing the liquefaction resistance

of the host sand is examined. Laponite, a synthetic clay, possesses the ability to alter pore

water viscosity, forming a thixotropic gel. This gel exhibits increased viscosity and shear

modulus over time, yet remains flowable under shear stress and regains its original

properties once the stress is removed, suggesting resilience. Conversely, biochar is a

carbonaceous residue resulting from pyrolysis processes, renowned for its waste

management capabilities utilizing various organic feedstocks. Additionally, biochar's high

recalcitrance enables carbon sequestration, mitigating atmospheric emissions, and

promoting plant growth. The primary objective of this study is to evaluate the impact of

incorporating these two materials on the geotechnical characteristics of loosely saturated

sand.

In connection with this, the liquefaction of saturated sandy soils poses a

significant threat to structures during dynamic loading, resulting in considerable human

and economic losses. To address this challenge sustainably and economically, the study
“Experimental Study on Liquefaction Characteristics of Saturated Sands Mixed with Fly

Ash and Tire Crumb Rubber” of Eyin, M. and Zeybek, A. (2023) explores the impact of

two waste materials—recycled fly ash and tire crumb rubber—on sand liquefaction

characteristics. Triaxial specimens, prepared with sand-fly ash mixtures (ranging from

0% to 40% fly ash) and sand-tire crumb rubber mixtures (ranging from 0% to 30% crumb

rubber), were subjected to stress-controlled, undrained, dynamic triaxial tests to examine

their liquefaction behavior.

The mentioned research studies examined the cost-effective and beneficial use of

biowaste materials to address soil issues, particularly during earthquakes. It can engage

local communities by imparting new skills related to its utilization. This is relevant to the

current study, which focuses on exploring the ways of sourcing, processing, and

utilization of biowaste as well as the features of biowaste, its environmental impacts, and

ecological risks and benefits of this approach. Additionally, these related literature and

studies highlighted the high-water absorption capacity of biowaste. This is useful in

places like the Batangas Coast, where liquefaction is a problem because it can help

manage water and reduce the risk of liquefaction happening especially during

earthquakes.

Local

According to Elauria et al. (2021), the present situation with biowaste is

considered as a substantial problem in the Philippines. In their study about household

waste, it was found out that each person in a household of 3-9 members generates

between 0.004 to 0.031 kg of biowaste per day. Food scraps make up 46% of this waste,
with kitchen waste from vegetables and fruits at 41%. Kitchen waste from raw meat and

fish accounts for 4%, garden waste for 5%, and wet papers for 4%. These findings

highlight the pressing issue of biowaste management in Filipino households.

Locally, Batangas City produces a couple metric tons of waste per day, which

shows how much waste can damage the city if it is not handled correctly. The mentioned

city is already implementing zero waste management and proper waste collection through

different approaches like contracting a waste collection company that operates daily to

prevent the build up of waste in the city of Batangas. Back in 2016, Batangas City

cooperated with Mother Earth Foundation, a non-government organization, towards

recycling of solid waste in the city. There is already a foundation in terms of processing

waste that can be recycled or be regarded as biowaste.

According to the team of Cahyani and Pennazion (2021), Mother Earth

Foundation’s project aims to recover at least 55 percent of waste through composting or

recycling, and to have 90 percent of households practice waste segregation at source.

Fortunately, recycling is already being done with seriousness in the city, which in return,

makes it easy for biowaste to be segregated.

However, Barrion et al. (2022) highlighted in their research that there exist

instances of inevitable biowaste. Instead of letting organic waste decompose in landfills

and release methane, there are alternative ways that allow it to improve soil health. It

provided insights regarding the management of biowaste and its potential implications for

soil health and environmental sustainability. This is relevant to the present study as it

aims to tackle the environmental implications associated with this process. Regarding
liquefaction, it offers a practical solution for managing biowaste. This can be done by

turning bio waste materials into nutrient-rich amendments, improving soil stability and

water retention. In addition, utilizing biowaste for liquefaction reduces greenhouse gas

emissions and helps mitigate climate change. The present study also features the idea that

there may be concerns about the impact of this process on biodiversity and ecosystems,

particularly if large-scale production leads to the exploitation of natural resources or

habitat destruction. Therefore, while this process of minimizing liquefaction offers a

practical solution for managing biowaste, careful consideration of its environmental

implications and ecological consequences is necessary to ensure sustainable outcomes.

The previous studies point out the substantial daily generation of biowaste,

emphasizing the need for effective solutions for its disposal and utilization. This is

essential for the present study as it provides insight into how biowaste materials can be

effectively sourced and processed. Since food scraps constitute a significant portion of

this waste, converting them to a material to mitigate liquefaction offers a promising

opportunity. By diverting food scraps from conventional disposal methods such as

landfilling or open burning and processing them, various benefits can be achieved.

Therefore, utilizing biowaste for liquefaction emerges as a potential avenue to address

this issue.

2.3. SYNTHESIS

Biowaste remains as one of the primary problems across the world that needs to

be resolved. As stated by Oatly (2022), tons of biowaste are produced each year and can

become a serious issue without proper management. It was supported by the research
studies of Gasum and New York State (2024) stating how biowaste produced chemicals

in landfills that negatively affects the environment. In the Philippines, Elauria et al.

(2021) conducted a study focused on understanding the biowaste management practices

within Filipino households, aiming to uncover effective and sustainable solutions to

resolve the issue related to biowaste disposal.

As a response, the government of Batangas City coordinated with Mother Earth

Foundation back in 2016 in recycling solid waste within the city. Through this

movement, the foundation aimed to recover waste through recycling or composting and

to practice waste segregation within each household (Cahyani and Pennazion, 2021).

However, Barrion et al. (2022) pointed out in his study that there are certain situations

where biowaste is unavoidable.

Rather than allowing this waste to simply undergo chemical reactions, and

contribute to environmental challenges, Noaman (2020) proposed a more constructive

approach. The emphasis was placed on utilizing this waste as a resource to enhance

various geotechnical properties of the soil, including improvement of soil stability and

increasing resistance to compression forces and shear stresses. The suggested method

involves the incorporating of biowaste to the soil through a wet deep soil mixing method

in accordance with the study of Schaefer (2014). By combining biowaste with soil using

appropriate mixing methods, it is possible to create a more robust and resilient soil

profile. This approach not only helps in utilizing waste effectively but also contributes to

sustainable soil management practices, supporting environmental conservation efforts

On the other hand, recent studies conducted by Bugallo et. al., (2022), Orense et

al. (2019), and Eyin and Zeybek (2023) highlighted the usage of various biowaste to
reduce soil liquefaction. By using biochar, laponite, fly ash, and tire crumbs, their study

assessed how incorporating these substances affect the geotechnical properties of loosely

saturated sand. It was found out that these biowaste materials possess an impressive

ability to absorb water, particularly in regions susceptible to liquefaction.

As proven by several studies, managing biowaste remains a critical global issue

that demands attention. The mentioned studies highlighted the environmental impact of

biowaste and the importance of finding effective solutions to this problem. Collaborative

efforts, like those between the Batangas City government and Mother Earth Foundation,

demonstrate proactive steps toward biowaste management. Despite remaining challenges,

various research suggests integrating biowaste to enhance soil and improve its

geotechnical properties, offering both waste reduction and sustainable soil management

benefits. Recent research also further explores the potential use of biowaste to minimize

soil liquefaction, which is the main focus of the present study, presenting innovative

solutions for geotechnical challenges. Overall, addressing biowaste issues requires a

comprehensive approach that combines efficient strategies with innovative applications in

fields like geotechnical engineering, further enabling progress toward more sustainable

environmental practices.
2.4. CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK
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