Experimental study of sugar-induced sand cementation in dry conditions

This paper presents an experimental study of sugar as a low-viscosity cementing agent for sand in dry laboratory conditions. Sand was mixed with aqueous sugar solutions of varying concentrations (15%–40% by mass) and oven-cured at different temperatures. Unconfined compressive strength (UCS) tests showed that strength increased with sugar concentration, with UCS values reaching up to 6 MPa —comparable to or exceeding those achieved with conventional bio-cementation methods. Optimal curing occurred at 105 °C, balancing rapid hardening and peak strength, while excessive heating at 170 °C reduced strength due to sugar caramelisation. Nevertheless, all conditions yielded mean UCS values above 1 MPa, demonstrating the method’s reliability. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to observe the interaction between sugar and sand particles, revealing a substantial sugar coating bonding the grains. These findings reveal some of the fundamental mechanisms of sugar-induced cementation. Finally, research pathways and current shortcomings for field applications are discussed. • Sugar-based cementation of sand investigated under different curing conditions in dry soils. • UCS exceeded: 6 MPa at 40% sugar concentration under optimal curing; 1 MPa across all testes. • Stress–strain curves were nearly linear up to peak, followed by a softening response. • SEM imaging confirmed sugar crystallisation at grain contacts, forming interparticle bonding structures.