Experiment and Improvement Mechanism Analysis on the Mechanical Properties of Improved Chlorine Saline Soil

Abstract

Chlorine saline soil has adverse engineering geology such as dissolution, collapse, and pulping, the recycling of saline soil in subgrade treatment is of great research significance. First, the unconfined compressive strength (UCS) test was conducted using an orthogonal test design, and the optimal ratios of salt content, cement content, lime content, fiber content, and fiber length were determined. Second, the cyclic loading (CL) test was conducted using an orthogonal test design, and the influence of five factors, including freeze–thaw (FT) times, CL times, stress level (SL), amplitude, and frequency, on peak intensity, peak strain, and cumulative strain under FT cycles and natural air-drying (A-D) conditions were determined. Finally, the improvement mechanism of the above inorganic materials was microscopically analyzed by scanning electron microscope-energy dispersive spectrometer and X-ray diffraction tests. The UCS test results show that the improving effect of the optimal ratio for chlorine saline soil was best when the optimal ratio values were 3% (salt content), 8% (cement content), 12% (lime content), 0.2% (fiber content), and 18 mm (fiber length). CL test results show that with the increase in natural A-D time, it was found that the FT number and SL have significant effects on the strength, the number of FT times and cycle times have significant effects on the deformation, and the frequency and cycle times have significant effects on the cumulative deformation. From the microstructure analysis, the improvement mechanism is mainly the filling of pores and linking particles by water-hard gels and gas rigid gels to make the microstructure dense, effectively reduce pores, and effectively improve the engineering characteristics of chlorine saline soil. The results of this study provide a scientific basis for the engineering design of subgrade in arid areas and the in situ recycling of saline soil.