Experimental investigation on stabilization of clay soil using nano-materials and white cement

Abstract

A strong foundation is very essential aspect for the construction of any structures. For adopting good foundation resting on weak soils, the properties of soils have to be improved with the help of different admixtures. In the trend of advanced technologies, nanotechnology is applied in the field of civil engineering to impart high strength to the soil. Instead of traditional stabilizers such as cement, in this study the strength of the clay soil is improved by adding the nano-particles particularly nano-silica and white cement as admixtures. The present paper describes a study carried out to infer the improvements in the properties of clay soil with white cement and nano-silica in varying percentages. Nano-silica and White cement are added separately at 3%, 5%, 7% and 9% to the weight of the soil and combined Nano-silica (2%) with white cement varying at 1%, 2%, 3%, 4% are also tested. The test results show that the optimum dosage of nano-silica alone and white cement alone added to soil was 7% by weight of soil. The combination of nano-silica with white cement optimum dosage was established as 2% nano-silica and 3% white cement by weight of soil. In addition to that the permeability reduction achieved as 45% when the soil treated with 2% nano-silica and 3% white cement.