Nanotechnology as a Preventive Engineering Solution to Highway Infrastructure Failures

Abstract

AbstractThis paper reports the results of research on the application of nanomaterials to improve the quality and durability of road infrastructure. The research investigated road transportation infrastructure failures and the feasibility of preventive engineering solutions using nanotechnology. Laboratory experiments were conducted on different treated and untreated Nigerian soil samples (laterite, clay, and black soils) to study the changes in their fundamental geotechnical properties. Common engineering standards were used for the experiments and results analysis. Laboratory tests showed that treated laterite and clay soils had improved the liquid limit, plastic limit, and shrinkage index, including hydrophobic properties. The California bearing ratio (CBR) improved by as much as 87–125%. However, the black soil sample only passed the hydrophobicity test. The black soil did not exhibit any bearing strength in the CBR test, even after treatment with the nanomaterial. The paper contributes to understandi...