Abstract
The employment of bentonite modified loess (BML) is a common method of constructing the anti-seepage lining of landfills in the loess region of China, and its long-term secure performance is threatened by wetting–drying (W–D) cycles. Taking the remolded loess (RL) and BML with 15% in mass of bentonite as research objects, the W–D cycles test, scanning electron microscope test and direct shear test were carried out to analyze the effects of W–D cycles on the microstructure and shear strength of samples. The regression equations between strength and micro-pore structure parameters were established by the multivariate linear stepwise regression method. The damage mechanism of BML after W–D cycles was studied by establishing damage degree models based on pore area ratio and cohesion. Results indicate that the water absorption and expansion of bentonite effectively block the intergranular pores, resulting in more medium and small pores and more pronounced surface contact of particles. After W–D cycles, the particle arrangement of samples before and after bentonite modification tends to be loose. Both the pore area ratio and fractal dimension increase and tend to stabilize after five cycles. The BML exhibits lower pore area ratio and greater fractal dimension while its cohesion and internal friction angle show more significant decrease after W–D cycles than those of RL. The damage variables based on pore area ratio and cohesion well describe the W–D induced damage of loess before and after modification from macro- and micro-scale perspectives. The damage degree of samples increases with W–D cycles, but the increment decreases.
Highlights
The employment of bentonite modified loess (BML) is a common method of constructing the antiseepage lining of landfills in the loess region of China, and its long-term secure performance is threatened by wetting–drying (W–D) cycles
Ye et al.[21] used scanning electron microscope (SEM) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) technology to study the microscopic characteristics of paleosols, found that the proportion of micropores decreases after W–D cycles while those of the macropores and mesopores increase
After five W–D cycles, the changes in the number of pores and soil particles are insignificant, and a new relatively stable structure was formed inside the soil, and the soil strength stabilized with the increase of W–D cycles
Summary
The employment of bentonite modified loess (BML) is a common method of constructing the antiseepage lining of landfills in the loess region of China, and its long-term secure performance is threatened by wetting–drying (W–D) cycles. After W–D cycles, the particle arrangement of samples before and after bentonite modification tends to be loose Both the pore area ratio and fractal dimension increase and tend to stabilize after five cycles. Potential of expansive soil and increases the strength, and it is feasible to apply the modified clay to the landfill cover[11] The macro characteristics such as compressibility, rheological properties and strength of bentonite modified soil are the reflection of its microstructure properties, while the long-term durability of bentonite modified soil under natural environment needs to be further studied. The seepage process of silty loess will reduce the pore ion concentration and the bonding strength of clay minerals, make smaller silt particles fall off from the aggregates, and weaken the soil s tructure[19]. The degradation mechanism of strength and microstructure of BML under W–D cycles needs to be further studied
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