Study on the Strength Behavior of Soil with Nano Fly Ash and Nano Cement

Abstract

Nanotechnology is the science that deals with the particles which are less than 100 nm. The size of the nanoparticles plays a crucial role in behavior of soil exhibiting different properties. Use of nanoparticles in stabilization influences shear strength, dry density of the soil and makes more reactive to soil because of its high specific surface area. In this investigation, an attempt is made to investigate the influence of ball milled nano fly ash and nano cement particles in the improvement of soil. Different combinations of percentage were selected in the range of non-nano fly ash (10%, 20% and 30%) and non-nano Cement (2%, 6%, 8% and 10%). Preparation of nanoparticles has done by planetary ball milling. Particle sizes of the additives were obtained by HRTEM test results and IMAGEJ software analysis. Nano fly ash and Nano cement were admixed with soil for the optimum mix of 10% fly ash and 10% cement. Results indicated that compare to non-nano particles in soil, the nano admixed soil yielded UCC strength of 1416 kN/m2 which is 1.2 times higher than non-nanoparticles. The higher strength of nanoparticles admixed soil is mainly due to higher reactivity of nano fly ash and nano cement with the soil because of the enhanced specific surface.