Nature-Based Solutions (NbS) in Ground Improvement

Call for Papers

Nature-Based Solutions (NbS) in Ground Improvement

Journal: Ground Improvement
Full Manuscript Submission Deadline: 01 April 2027

Ground Improvement invites submissions for its Special Issue on “Nature-Based Solutions (NbS) in Ground Improvement.”

About the Special Issue

Ground improvement plays an essential role in the safe and sustainable development of infrastructure. However, many conventional ground improvement methods can be energy-intensive, resource-demanding, and environmentally disruptive. In response to growing concerns around climate change, biodiversity, resource efficiency, and infrastructure resilience, Nature-Based Solutions (NbS) are gaining attention as sustainable alternatives or complements to traditional engineering techniques.

This Special Issue explores the current and future potential of Nature-Based Solutions in geotechnical engineering and ground improvement. It particularly focuses on approaches that use natural, biological, and bio-inspired processes to enhance soil properties, improve stability, reduce environmental impacts, and mitigate geohazards.

Contributions addressing vegetation-based reinforcement, bio-cementation, biopolymers, microbial processes, mycelium-based reinforcement, natural fibres, and ecological design are encouraged. The issue also welcomes research on hybrid approaches that combine nature-based and conventional ground improvement techniques.

Experimental studies, modelling approaches, field applications, long-term monitoring, sustainability assessments, and critical reviews are welcomed. Interdisciplinary research connecting geotechnical engineering with environmental science, biology, ecology, and materials science is particularly encouraged.

Topics of Interest

Submissions may include, but are not limited to:

• Bio-mediated and bio-inspired ground improvement

• Bio-cementation and soil stabilisation

• Microbially Induced Calcite Precipitation (MICP)

• Enzyme Induced Calcite Precipitation (EICP)

• Biomineralisation and microbial processes

• Fungal systems and mycelium-based reinforcement

• Biopolymers and living materials

• Vegetation-based soil reinforcement

• Root-soil interaction and slope stabilisation

• Erosion control using Nature-Based Solutions

• Hybrid NbS and conventional ground improvement techniques

• Natural fibres and biodegradable materials

• Treatment delivery and optimisation of bio-mediated processes

• Numerical and analytical modelling of NbS

• Laboratory validation and field trials

• Case studies and long-term performance monitoring

• Durability, resilience, and whole-life performance

• Upscaling, standardisation, and reliability of NbS

• Environmental and carbon impact assessment

• Ecological co-benefits and trade-offs

• Bio-based protection and rehabilitation of foundations and underground infrastructure

Preferred Research Contributions

The Special Issue welcomes:

• Original Research Articles

• Experimental Studies

• Field Trials and Case Studies

• Numerical and Analytical Modelling Studies

• Sustainability Assessments

• Long-term Monitoring Studies

• Critical Reviews

• Interdisciplinary Research

Submission Information

Abstract Deadline: 16 October 2026
Full Submission Deadline: 01 April 2027

Authors should first submit an abstract according to the Special Issue requirements. Full manuscripts are submitted through the River Valley submission system.

River Valley Submission Portal

After registration, authors should navigate to Ground Improvement, select “Special Issue” as the article type, and choose the relevant Special Issue title from the drop-down menu.

Authors must follow the journal's official author guidelines and submission requirements.

Guest Editors

Ana Heitor

Gloria Castro

Posted on ServiceSetu Academics — Premier Platform for Academic Opportunities & Research Collaboration.

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