Abstract
Understanding property changes in soil improvement using a new technique is critical for enhancing engineering activity. However, little is known about nano-SiO2pile-induced changes in soil properties due to its excellent properties as an alternative new additive material. This study aims to examine the changes in properties of loess stabilized with nano-SiO2pile after curing for 28 days. Using samples taken from four desired radii (i.e., 5, 10 15, and 20 cm), we tested their mineralogical, structural, physicochemical, and index properties and analyzed the relationship of these properties to strengthen the link between microscopic characteristics and macroscopic behaviors. We then discussed the mechanism of the changes in the treated loess properties. The test results show that nano-SiO2pile induced a physical structure modification in the treated loess and, consequently, an isotropic process with coarser particles due to crystallinity. This resulted in a solidification process in loess with nano-SiO2pile, causing a decrease in water content and void ratio as well as an increase in natural density, thereby improving its mechanical strength. Meanwhile, the specific surface area (SSA)and cation exchange capacity (CEC) of treated loess were smaller than those of original loess, and there were slight changes in chemical properties. The disintegration rate of treated loess decrease compared with the original loess. The interactional relationship of the microscopic and macroscopic observation was facilitated to better understand the mechanism of changes in nano-SiO2pile-treated loess properties. This finding reveals that nano-SiO2pile has the potential as an alternative stabilized technique in loess improvement due to its obvious performance improvement and slight chemical changes.
Highlights
A large number of highways and railways have been constructed in China’s loess area
Sharp changes occurred in intensity and full width in all treated loess, and the crystalline structure seemed to be quite insensitive after nano-SiO2 mitigation into loess around the pile
A slight difference occurred in the mixture of nano-SiO2 added into the loess; the intensity and full width indicated only slight enhancement in X-ray diffraction (XRD) diffractograms (Kong et al, 2018)
Summary
A large number of highways and railways have been constructed in China’s loess area. urbanization promotes the significant scale of land creation projects by cutting hilltops and filling valleys (Zhang and Wang, 2018). Nano-SiO2 Pile-Induced Loess Changes loess by mixing different chemical additives (Zia and Fox, 2000; Tchakalova and Todorov, 2008; Sariosseiri and Muhunthan, 2009; Arrua et al, 2010; Metelková et al, 2012; Zhang et al, 2017; Zhang et al, 2018a; Haeri et al, 2019) These chemical additives, such as lime, fly ash, and cement, are added into the loess in order to modify its physical, chemical, structural, and mineral properties, thereby improving its geotechnical performance. Using a stabilization treatment technique that can be applied in various contexts is important for soil improvement Another area of research interest is seeking alternative new materials to replace the traditional chemical additives for eco-friendly and costeffective purposes
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