Abstract
Construction over problematic soils is a common problem in many parts of the world, and one of the effective procedures to tackle this problem is soil stabilization. Accordingly, the current study provides the finding of a laboratory investigation into the effect of three kinds of nanomaterials, including nano-silica (NS), nano-clay (NC) and nano-calcium carbonate (NCC) on the properties of a loessial collapsible soil. To accomplish this issue, reconstituted samples of the stabilized loessial soil were prepared for unconfined compression and consolidation tests. The results illustrated that an insignificant amount of nanomaterials (less than 1% of the total dry weight of the soil when is used in as a liquid prepared solution) could considerably improve the mechanical behavior of the soil. The values of additives which gave the maximum unconfined compressive strength (UCS) were determined to be 0.1, 0.2, and 0.4% of the total dry weight of the soil, respectively, for NS, NCC, and NC. The most efficient improvement was the stabilized sample with 0.2% NCC which resulted in the highest UCS after 28 days of curing. In addition, the results of consolidation tests showed that the degree of collapse potential (CP) of the tested stabilized loess improved from moderately severe for unstabilized soil to moderate for all of the stabilized soils with different stabilizing agents. Hence, stabilization using these nanomaterials could partially improve the collapse potential of the tested loessial soil.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Rogers C (1995) Types and distribution of collapsible soils. Genesis and properties of collapsible soils. Springer, Berlin, pp 1–17. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-0097-7_1
El Howayek A, Huang P-T, Bisnett R, Santagata MC (2011) Identification and behavior of collapsible soils. Publication FHWA/IN/JTRP-2011/12. Joint Transportation Research Program, Indiana Department of Transportation and Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN. https://doi.org/10.5703/1288284314625
Phien-Wej N, Pientong T, Balasubramaniam A (1992) Collapse and strength characteristics of loess in Thailand. Eng Geol 32(1–2):59–72. https://doi.org/10.1016/0013-7952(92)90018-T
Rogers C, Dijkstra T, Smalley I (1994) Hydroconsolidation and subsidence of loess: studies from China, Russia, North America and Europe: in memory of Jan Sajgalik. Eng Geol 37(2):83–113. https://doi.org/10.1016/0013-7952(94)90045-0
Al-Rawas AA (2000) State-of-the-art-review of collapsible soils. Sultan Qaboos Univ J Sci 5:115–135. https://doi.org/10.24200/squjs.vol5iss0pp115-135
Nouaouria M, Guenfoud M, Lafifi B (2008) Engineering properties of loess in Algeria. Eng Geol 99(1–2):85–90. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enggeo.2008.01.013
Ryashchenko T, Akulova V, Erbaeva M (2008) Loessial soils of Priangaria, Transbaikalia, Mongolia, and northwestern China. Quatern Int 179(1):90–95. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.quaint.2007.06.035
Gaaver KE (2012) Geotechnical properties of Egyptian collapsible soils. Alexandria Eng J 51(3):205–210. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aej.2012.05.002
Frechen M, Kehl M, Rolf C, Sarvati R, Skowronek A (2009) Loess chronology of the Caspian lowland in northern Iran. Quatern Int 198(1–2):220–233. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.quaint.2008.12.012
Haeri SM, Zamani A, Garakani AA (2012) Collapse potential and permeability of undisturbed and remolded loessial soil samples. Unsaturated soils: research and applications. Springer, Berlin, pp 301–308. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-31116-1_41
Feda J (1988) Collapse of loess upon wetting. Eng Geol 25(2–4):263–269. https://doi.org/10.1016/0013-7952(88)90031-2
Houston SL, Houston WN, Spadola DJ (1988) Prediction of field collapse of soils due to wetting. J Geotech Eng 114(1):40–58. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)0733-9410(1988)114:1(40)
Lommler JC, Bandini P (2015) Characterization of collapsible soils. IFCEE 2015:1834–1841
Barden L, McGown A, Collins K (1973) The collapse mechanism in partly saturated soil. Eng Geol 7(1):49–60. https://doi.org/10.1016/0013-7952(73)90006-9
Li P, Vanapalli S, Li T (2016) Review of collapse triggering mechanism of collapsible soils due to wetting. J Rock Mech Geotech Eng 8(2):256–274. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jrmge.2015.12.002
Haeri SM, Garakani AA, Khosravi A, Meehan CL (2014) Assessing the hydro-mechanical behavior of collapsible soils using a modified triaxial test device. Geotech Test J 37(2):190–204. https://doi.org/10.1520/GTJ20130034
Garakani AA, Haeri SM, Khosravi A, Habibagahi G (2015) Hydro-mechanical behavior of undisturbed collapsible loessial soils under different stress state conditions. Eng Geol 195:28–41. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enggeo.2015.05.026
Haeri SM (2016) Hydro-mechanical behavior of collapsible soils in unsaturated soil mechanics context. Jpn Geotech Soc Spec Publ 2(1):25–40. https://doi.org/10.3208/jgssp.KL-3
Rodrigues RA, Vilar OM (2011) Experimental study of the collapsible behavior of a tropical unsaturated soil. In: Alonso E, Gens A (eds) Proceedings of the 5th international conference in unsaturated soils. Taylor & Francis, pp 353–357
Derbyshire E (2001) Geological hazards in loess terrain, with particular reference to the loess regions of China. Earth Sci Rev 54(1–3):231–260. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0012-8252(01)00050-2
Houston SL, Houston WN, Zapata CE, Lawrence C (2001) Geotechnical engineering practice for collapsible soils. Unsaturated soil concepts and their application in geotechnical practice. Springer, Berlin, pp 333–355. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-015-9775-3_6
Peng J, Sun P, Li X (2006) Ground fissure: the major geological and environmental problem in the development of Xi’an city. China Environ Sci Technol 2:469–474
Sun P, Zhang M, Zhu L, Xue Q, Hu W (2013) Typical case study of loess collapse and discussion on related problems. Geol Bull China 32(6):847–851
Minkov M, Evstatiev D, Karachorov P, Slavov P, Stefanoff G, Jelev J (1981) Stresses and deformations in stabilized loess. In: Proc. 10th ICSMFE, Stockholm, vol 2, pp 193–197
Evstatiev D (1988) Loess improvement methods. Eng Geol 25(2–4):341–366. https://doi.org/10.1016/0013-7952(88)90036-1
Jefferson I, Rogers C (2012) Collapsible soils. In: Proceedings of ICE Manual of Geotechnical Engineering. ICE Publishing, London, pp 391–411
Minkov M, Evstatiev D, Donchev P (1980) Dynamic compaction of loess. In: Proceedings of the international conference on compaction, pp 345–349
Rollins KM, Jorgensen SJ, Ross TE (1998) Optimum moisture content for dynamic compaction of collapsible soils. J Geotech Geoenviron Eng 124(8):699–708. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)1090-0241(1998)124:8(699)
Ali NA (2015) Performance of partially replaced collapsible soil–field study. Alexandria Eng J 54(3):527–532. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aej.2015.05.002
Rollins KM, Kim J (2010) Dynamic compaction of collapsible soils based on US case histories. J Geotech Geoenviron Eng 136(9):1178–1186. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)GT.1943-5606.0000331
Ayadat T, Hanna A (2005) Encapsulated stone columns as a soil improvement technique for collapsible soil. Proc Inst Civ Engineers-Ground Improve 9(4):137–147. https://doi.org/10.1680/grim.2005.9.4.137
FattahAl-Musawi MYHH, Salman FA (2012) Treatment of collapsibility of gypseous soils by dynamic compaction. Geotech Geol Eng 30(6):1369–1387. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10706-012-9552-z
Ziaie_moayed R, Kamalzareh M (2015) Improving physical characteristics of collapsible soil (case study: Tehran-Semnan railroad). J Eng Geol 9 (2):2869–2890. https://jeg.khu.ac.ir/article-1-1715-en.html
Haeri S, Garakani AA, Khorshidi M (2012) Retrofitting of collapsible basement of water conveying Canals by lime mixing. In: Annual international conference on geological and earth science (GEOS 2012), Singapore. https://doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.1.3687.0887
Fagundes LP, Yacoub JD, Lima AC, Nakatsuchi FR, Lollo JA, Akasaki JL, Tashima MM (2016) Improvement of collapsible soil behavior of a lateritic soil using rice husk ash. Key Eng Mater Trans Tech Publ 668:290–296. https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/KEM.668.290
Haeri SM, Mohammad Hosseini A, Shahrabi MM, Soleymani S (2015) Comparison of strength characteristics of Gorgan loessial soil improved by nanosilica, lime and Portland cement. In: 15th Pan American Conference on Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering
Al-Janabi A (2014) Hydro-mechanical analysis of unsaturated collapsible soils and their stabilization. In: Dissertation, Kiel University
Arabani M, Lasaki BA (2017) Behavior of a simulated collapsible soil modified with XPS-cement mixtures. Geotech Geol Eng 35(1):137–155. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10706-016-0092-9
Okonta FN, Manciya T (2010) Compaction and strength of lime–Fly ash stabilized collapsible residual sand. Electron J Geotech Eng 15:1976–1988
Jefferson I, Evstatiev D, Karastanev D (2008) The treatment of collapsible loess soils using cement materials. In: GeoCongress 2008: Geosustainability and Geohazard Mitigation. pp 662–669. https://doi.org/10.1061/40971(310)82
Zhang F, Pei X, Yan X (2018) Physicochemical and mechanical properties of lime-treated loess. Geotech Geol Eng 36(1):685–696. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10706-017-0341-6
Hosseini A, Haeri SM, Mahvelati S, Fathi A (2019) Feasibility of using electrokinetics and nanomaterials to stabilize and improve collapsible soils. J Rock Mech Geotech Eng 11(5):1055–1065. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jrmge.2019.06.004
Haeri SM, Akbari Garakani A, Roohparvar HR, Desai CS, Seyed Ghafouri SMH, Salemi Kouchesfahani K (2019) Testing and constitutive modeling of lime-stabilized collapsible loess. I. Experimental investigations. Int J Geomech 19(4):04019006. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)GM.1943-5622.0001364
Metelková Z, Boháč J, Přikryl R, Sedlářová I (2012) Maturation of loess treated with variable lime admixture: pore space textural evolution and related phase changes. Appl Clay Sci 61:37–43. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clay.2012.03.008
Zia N, Fox PJ (2000) Engineering properties of loess-fly ash mixtures for roadbase construction. Transp Res Rec 1714(1):49–56. https://doi.org/10.3141/1714-07
Holister P, Weener J-W, Román C, Harper T (2003) Nanoparticles. Technol White Pap 3:1–11
Taha MR (2018) Recent developments in nanomaterials for geotechnical and geoenvironmental engineering. In: MATEC Web of Conferences, EDP Sciences, p 02004. https://doi.org/10.1051/matecconf/201814902004
Govindasamy P, Taha MR, Alsharef J, Ramalingam K (2017) Influence of nanolime and curing period on unconfined compressive strength of soil. Appl Environ Soil Sci. https://doi.org/10.1155/2017/8307493
Bahmani SH, Huat BB, Asadi A, Farzadnia N (2014) Stabilization of residual soil using SiO2 nanoparticles and cement. Constr Build Mater 64:350–359. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2014.04.086
Changizi F, Haddad A (2016) Effect of nano-SiO2 on the geotechnical properties of cohesive soil. Geotech Geol Eng 34(2):725–733. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10706-015-9962-9
Taha MR, Alsharef J, Al-Mansob RA, Khan TA (2018) Effects of nano-carbon reinforcement on the swelling and shrinkage behaviour of soil. Sains Malay 47(1):195–205. https://doi.org/10.17576/jsm-2018-4701-23
Yonekura R, Miwa M (1993) Fundamental properties of sodium silicate-based grout. In: Proceedings of the 11th Southeast Asia geotechnical conference, Singapore. vol 439, p e44
Kong R, Zhang F, Wang G, Peng J (2018) Stabilization of loess using nano-SiO2. Materials 11(6):1014. https://doi.org/10.3390/ma11061014
Mohammadi M, Niazian M (2013) Investigation of nano-clay effect on geotechnical properties of Rasht clay. Int J Adv Sci Tech Res 3(3):37–46
Tabarsa A, Latifi N, Meehan CL, Manahiloh KN (2018) Laboratory investigation and field evaluation of loess improvement using nanoclay—a sustainable material for construction. Constr Build Mater 158:454–463. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2017.09.096
Alsharef J, Taha MR, Firoozi AA, Govindasamy P (2016) Potential of using nanocarbons to stabilize weak soils. Appl Environ Soil Sci. https://doi.org/10.1155/2016/5060531
Gelsefidi S, Alireza S, Mohammad MS, Hasan BM (2013) Application of nanomaterial to stabilize a weak soil. In: Int Conf case Hist Geotech Eng-seventh
Choobbasti AJ, Samakoosh MA, Kutanaei SS (2019) Mechanical properties soil stabilized with nano calcium carbonate and reinforced with carpet waste fibers. Constr Build Mater 211:1094–1104. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2019.03.306
Taha MR, Taha OME (2012) Influence of nano-material on the expansive and shrinkage soil behavior. J Nanopart Res 14(10):1190. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11051-012-1190-0
Ghorbani A, Hasanzadehshooiili H, Mohammadi M, Sianati F, Salimi M, Sadowski L, Szymanowski J (2019) Effect of selected nanospheres on the mechanical strength of lime-stabilized high-plasticity clay soils. Adv Civ Eng. https://doi.org/10.1155/2019/4257530
Emmanuel E, Lau CC, Anggraini V, Pasbakhsh P (2019) Stabilization of a soft marine clay using halloysite nanotubes: a multi-scale approach. Appl Clay Sci 173:65–78. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clay.2019.03.014
Valishzadeh A (2017) Stabilization of collapsible soil with nano-material and injection using electrokinetic procedure, case study: Gorgan Loess. Dissertation, Sharif University of Technology
Kim J-K, Lawler DF (2005) Characteristics of zeta potential distribution in silica particles. Bull Korean Chem Soc 26(7):1083–1089. https://doi.org/10.5012/bkcs.2005.26.7.1083
Hunter RJ (2001) Foundations of colloid science. Oxford University Press, Oxford
Leroy P, Devau N, Revil A, Bizi M (2013) Influence of surface conductivity on the apparent zeta potential of amorphous silica nanoparticles. J Colloid Interface Sci 410:81–93. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcis.2013.08.012
Júnior JAA, Baldo JB (2014) The behavior of zeta potential of silica suspensions. N J Glass Ceram 4(02):29. https://doi.org/10.4236/njgc.2014.42004
Clogston JD, Patri AK (2011) Zeta potential measurement. Characterization of nanoparticles intended for drug delivery. Springer, Berlin, pp 63–70. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-60327-198-1_6
Schwarz S, Lunkwitz K, Kessler B, Spiegler U, Killmann E, Jaeger W (2000) Adsorption and stability of colloidal silica. Colloids Surf A 163(1):17–27. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0927-7757(99)00426-4
Romero CP, Jeldres RI, Quezada GR, Concha F, Toledo PG (2018) Zeta potential and viscosity of colloidal silica suspensions: effect of seawater salts, pH, flocculant, and shear rate. Colloids Surf A 538:210–218. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.colsurfa.2017.10.080
Ladd R (1978) Preparing test specimens using undercompaction. Geotech Test J 1(1):16–23. https://doi.org/10.1520/GTJ10364J
ASTM D2166/D2166M-16 (2016) Standard test method for unconfined compressive strength of cohesive soil, ASTM International, West Conshohocken, PA. https://www.astm.org/cgi-bin/resolver.cgi?D2166D2166M-16
ASTM D5333-03 (2003) Standard test method for measurement of collapse potential of soils (Withdrawn 2012), ASTM International, West Conshohocken, PA. https://www.astm.org/cgi-bin/resolver.cgi?D5333-03
ASTM D2435-04 (2004) Standard test methods for one-dimensional consolidation properties of soils using incremental loading, ASTM International, West Conshohocken, PA. https://www.astm.org/cgi-bin/resolver.cgi?D2435-04
Sabbagh A (1982) Collapsing soil and their clay mineralogy in Tucson, Arizona. Dissertation for fulfilment of PhD degree, University of Arizona, Tucson
Pells P, Robertson A, Jennings J, Knight K (1975) A guide to construction on or with materials exhibiting additional settlement due to" Collapse" of grain structure. https://pascal-francis.inist.fr/vibad/index.php?action=getRecordDetail&idt=PASCALGEODEBRGM7720382974
Sultan H (1969) Foundation failures on collapsing soils in the Tucson, Arizona area. In: International residual and engineering conference on expansive clays, pp 394–403
Acknowledgments
The authors would like to acknowledge the financial support provided by Graduate and Research deputies of Sharif University of Technology. The experiments have been conducted at Advanced Soil Mechanics Laboratories of Civil Engineering Department of Sharif University of Technology which is acknowledged.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Haeri, S.M., Valishzadeh, A. Evaluation of Using Different Nanomaterials to Stabilize the Collapsible Loessial Soil. Int J Civ Eng 19, 583–594 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40999-020-00583-8
Received:
Revised:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40999-020-00583-8