Rapid Soil Surface Reinforcement Method Using Flour for Soft Ground in Disaster Response Robotics

Disaster response robots deployed on rough terrains, particularly on soft soil, must construct temporary paths to enable the safe entry of subsequent robots, vehicles, and rescue workers. The challenge lies in quickly reinforcing the surface to withstand vehicle traffic with environmentally friendly materials, as durable materials such as concrete often require extended curing times. In this paper, we propose a rapid soil surface reinforcement method for robots that uses a flour-based technique to create temporary paths on soft ground. Combining flour with soil and applying heating efficiently strengthens the ground, allowing it to support small vehicles and pedestrian traffic with minimal environmental impact. Experimental results from three-point bending tests show that microwave heating at 1000W for 3 minutes produces a surface with a bending strength of up to 2.6 MPa, approximately 59% of the 4.5 MPa standard for permanent road pavement concrete. This biodegradable, quickly implemented technique provides an effective, disposable solution for temporary infrastructure in challenging environments and holds potential for applications beyond road construction, such as 3D printing.