Calcareous Sand Research Articles

Experimental study on vertical seepage of coarse-grained calcareous sand

Calcareous sand, a special geotechnical material employed as foundation fill in numerous reef constructions, exhibits susceptibility to seepage deformation in complex marine dynamic environments. Its permeability characteristics are notably distinct from conventional terrestrial soil, making the understanding of these properties critical for further applications. This study conducted vertical seepage tests on coarse-grained calcareous sand samples with varying coefficients of uniformity (Cu), coefficients of curvature (Cc), relative compactions (Dr), and soil skeletal structures. These tests utilized a custom-designed apparatus, supplemented with image binarization and particle image velocimetry techniques. Based on the results, the findings revealed a three-stage vertical seepage process: steady seepage, hydraulic adjustment, and seepage failure. The permeability coefficient k20 of the calcareous sand samples was observed to transition from a decreasing to an increasing trend with rising Cu and Cc values. Moreover, the k20 of tightly compacted and medium-tightly compacted samples exceeded that during the steady seepage stage upon entering the second stage, while the opposite holds true for relatively loose samples. The spatial organization of the sample skeleton had a considerable impact on its permeability, with coarse-grained calcareous sand imposing a greater constraint on fine particle migration compared to river sand.

Study on microscopic mechanisms of slurry infiltration in calcareous sand based on CT scanning

A novel detachable microslurry infiltration device tailored for computed tomography (CT) scanning was developed. Using this device, a series of slurry infiltration tests was conducted on calcareous and Fujian sand columns with various bentonite slurry concentrations. CT scanning technology nondestructively captured the cross-sectional image slices of each specimen for analysis. A comprehensive image processing methodology was deployed to precisely differentiate the three phases—calcareous sand, slurry, and air—enabling 3D reconstruction of the infiltrated sand column. This approach combines three techniques: threshold segmentation, the watershed algorithm, and deep learning. Distinctive particle morphologies inherent to the calcareous and Fujian sands were observed. Notably, CT scans revealed a markedly greater angularity and irregularity of the calcareous sand compared with the Fujian sand, leading to different pore characteristics. Given an identical permeability coefficient, the calcareous sand porosity exceeded that of the Fujian sands. Furthermore, image analyses revealed distinct features of filter cake formation in these two soil columns. In calcareous sands with finer grain sizes, the slurry particles were more prone to clogging because of constricted and irregular seepage pathways. Conversely, with increasing particle size, the internal pores of the calcareous sand particles augmented channels for slurry infiltration, hindering filter cake formation.

Uniformity of microbial injection for reinforcing saturated calcareous sand: A multi-test approach

The mineralization process of microbial-induced calcium carbonate precipitation (MICP) is influenced by many factors, and the uniformity of the calcium carbonate precipitation has become the main focus and challenge for MICP technology. In this study, the uniformity of the saturated calcareous sand treated with MICP was investigated through one-dimensional calcareous sand column tests and model tests. The coefficient of variation was employed in one-dimensional sand column tests to investigate the impact of injection rate, cementation solution concentration, and number of injection cycles on the uniformity of the MICP treatment. Additionally, model tests were conducted to investigate the impact of injection pressure and methods on the treatment range and uniformity under three-dimensional seepage conditions. Test results demonstrate that the reinforcement strength and uniformity are significantly influenced by the injection rate of the cementation solution, with a rate of 3 mL/min, yielding a favorable treatment effect. Excessive concentration of the cementation solution can lead to significant non-uniformity and a reduction in the compressive strength of MICP-treated samples. Conversely, excessively low concentrations may result in decreased bonding efficiency. Among the four considered concentrations, 0.5 mol/L and 1 mol/L exhibit superior reinforcing effects. The morphological development of calcareous sandy foundation reinforcement is associated with the spatial distribution pattern of the bacterial solution, exhibiting a relatively larger reinforcement area in proximity to the lower region of the model and a gradually decreasing range towards the upper part. Under three-dimensional seepage conditions, in addition to the non-uniform radial cementation along the injection pipe, there is also vertical heterogeneity of cementation along the length of the injection pipe due to gravitational effects, resulting in preferential deposition of calcium carbonate at the lower section. The application of injection pressure and a double-pipe circulation injection method can mitigate the accumulation of bacterial solution and cementation solution at the bottom, thereby improving the reinforcement range and uniformity.

Pore pressure development model of fiber-reinforced calcareous sand based on shear strain characteristics

In this study, the pore pressure buildup characteristics of fiber-reinforced calcareous sand were investigated by examining the influences of fiber contents and fiber length through a series of cyclic simple shear tests. The test results indicate that the generation mechanisms of pore pressure ratio and shear strain of fiber-reinforced calcareous sand are interrelated under cyclic loading. The fiber content and fiber length have a significant influence on the relationship of pore pressure ratio versus number of cycles. Nevertheless, the correlation of pore pressure ratio versus shear strain is independent of fiber content and fiber length. According to the unique relationship, a pore pressure development model based on shear strain was established, exhibiting excellent predictive accuracy in simulating the pore pressure generation of fiber-reinforced calcareous sand with various fiber content and fiber lengths under cyclic loading. Moreover, the proposed model is also applicable to clean calcareous sand and siliceous sand.

High-velocity projectile penetration test and theoretical calculation of pseudo fluid penetration of calcareous sand

To explore the penetration resistance of calcareous sand media, penetration tests have been conducted in the velocity range of 200–1000 m/s using conical-nosed projectiles with a diameter of 14.5 mm. Further, a pseudo fluid penetration model applicable to the penetration of rigid projectiles in sand media is established according to the approximate flow of compacted sand in the adjacent zone of penetration. The correlation between the impedance function of projectile-target interaction and the internal friction features of pseudo fluid is clarified, and the effects of sand density, cone angle of nose-shaped projectile, and dynamic hardness on the penetration depth are investigated. The results verify the feasibility, wide applicability, and much lower error (with respect to the experimental data) of the proposed model as compared to the Slepyan hydrodynamic model.

Stiffness Anisotropy and Micro-Mechanism of Calcareous Sand with Different Particle Breakage Ratios Subjected to Shearing Based on DEM Simulations

Stress-induced anisotropy in calcareous sand can cause an uneven displacement in island reef engineering. In this study, stiffness, as a quantitative indicator, is explored to reveal the stress-induced anisotropy in calcareous sand. Based on the discrete element method, the stiffness anisotropic characteristics of calcareous sand during shearing, as well as the impact of particle breakage, are investigated by numerical simulations. Both the macro and micro responses, i.e., the maximum shear modulus, contact normal, strong and weak contact normal force, and the direction of particle breakage, are explored for calcareous sand with different particle breakage ratios. The results show that calcareous sand exhibits notable anisotropy during shearing, with the maximum shear modulus in the vertical direction (deviatoric stress direction) being significantly greater than that in the horizontal direction. Moreover, the higher the particle breakage rate, the lower the stiffness and its anisotropy. The micro-mechanism results indicate that the primary particle breakage during the shearing process occurs in the vertical direction. That is, the particle breakage weakens the strong contact force in the vertical direction, leading to a redistribution of the strong contact forces from the vertical direction to other directions. This redistribution mainly manifests in a decrease in the anisotropy of contact normal and contact vector within the sample, as well as a decrease in the proportion of strong contact forces in the overall contacts. This, in turn, reduces the shear strength and stiffness of calcareous sand, particularly in the vertical direction, and results in a decrease in the maximum shear modulus and its anisotropy. The maximum reduction can be up to 50% of the original value. These insights can provide a certain theoretical support for the uneven displacement and long-term stability of calcareous sand for islands and reefs.

Dilatancy behaviors of calcareous sand considering particle breakage

Dilatancy behaviors of calcareous sand considering particle breakage

Particle gradation effects on creep characteristics and the underlying mechanism in calcareous sand

Calcareous sand, a foundation material of marine origin, is an indispensable component in marine construction and has found extensive applications in building foundations and airport runways. The complex nature of the marine environment and the unique characteristics of calcareous sand present significant challenges for ensuring the stability and durability of engineering structures. To address these challenges, multistage loading triaxial creep tests were conducted on calcareous sands with different particle gradations to analyze their creep characteristics and underlying mechanisms. The result shows that the amount of ultimate axial creep strain is positively correlated with deviatoric stress but negatively correlated with the coefficient of uniformity (Cu). The creep process demonstrates a significant creep structure effect, characterized by creep rate lag and creep failure lag. The volumetric creep strain-time relationship at different creep stress ratios can be classified into three types. When the creep stress ratio is less than the stress ratio at the dilative point, the sample is first compacted followed by dilatancy; when the creep stress ratio is equal to the stress ratio at the dilative point, only compaction is obtained; as the creep stress ratio becomes larger than the stress ratio at the dilative point, pure dilatancy is found. The particle crushing modes and creep mechanisms of calcareous sand are also examined through meso-observations. It is found that the particle crushing modes can be categorized into three distinct types: grinding, angular breakage, and whole particle breakage. The particle gradation not only impacts the primary particle crushing mode but also governs the movement of particles and fragments, thereby influencing the occurrence of creep deformation. Specifically, a smaller Cu value corresponds to a higher fragmentation rate of the specimen, an increased number of overall crushing and angular fractures, a larger space for fragment migration after crushing, and eventually a greater creep deformation. Finally, a modified Burgers model is proposed based on the test results, which can effectively capture the creep deformation in the presence of creep structure effects and creep failure stages.

Research on the Effect of Natural Seawater in Domesticating Bacillus pasteurii and Reinforcing Calcareous Sand

Microbial-Induced Calcium Carbonate Precipitation (MICP) is an environmentally friendly, efficient, and sustainable new soil reinforcement technology. For this study, Bacillus pasteurii were domesticated and cultured in a natural seawater environment with multiple gradients and used for coral reef calcareous sand reinforcement, comparing the mineral composition of the generated precipitates and the reinforcement strength under different domestication gradient conditions. The results revealed that, while the natural seawater environment inhibits the growth of Bacillus pasteurii, the gradient domestication method allows the bacteria to gradually adapt to the natural seawater environment. Notably, their shape becomes thin and long under the seawater environment. Furthermore, the MICP mineralisation reaction rate is faster in the natural seawater environment and, with an increase in the domestication gradient, the mineralisation reaction precipitates increased. At the same time, in the seawater environment, a small amount of mineral components were generated in addition to CaCO3, such as MgxCay(CO3)z, and the Mg2+ mineral content increased with an increase in the domestication gradient. When comparing the curing effect under different gradients in the natural seawater environment, it was found that the Bacillus pasteurii can effectively enhance the curing effect of the calcareous sand after multi-gradient domestication in the seawater environment, with the curing effect increasing with an increase in the domestication gradient. The results of this study provide new ideas for the application of MICP technology in seawater environments for the reinforcement of calcareous sand in the construction of South China Sea islands and reefs.

Experimental study on the effects of water content on the compression characteristics and particle breakage of calcareous sand

The particle breakage effect and compression characteristics of calcareous sand are related to the water content in the sand material. However, the effects of water content on the particle breakage and compression characteristics of calcareous sand have rarely been investigated. In this work, 50 sets of confined compression tests were conducted on calcareous sand specimens, and the compression characteristics and particle breakage effects of two single-particle-size groups (particle size ranges of 1–0.5 mm and 0.5–0.25 mm) of calcareous sand were investigated under five different water contents. The test results showed that with the increase in the water content, the final compression deformation of calcareous sand was positively correlated with the water content. The final compression deformation decreased when the water content reached a certain value. The water content corresponding to the peak final compression deformation was related to the gradation of the calcareous sand; the specific values were 10% and 15% for particle size ranges of 1–0.5 mm and 0.5–0.25 mm, respectively. With the increase in the water content, the slope of the loading curve of calcareous sand appeared to increase and then decrease, reaching maximum when the water content was 10%. Moreover, the slope of the loading curve was close to twice that of the loading curve of dry sand, whereas the slope of the unloading curve changed little. Under the same water content, the initial gradation had no effect on the compression and unloading characteristics of the specimens beyond a vertical pressure of 1 MPa. The effects of the variation in the water content on the particle breakage of calcareous sand were mainly reflected in the softening effect of water on the specimen particles, which reduced the Mohr strength of the particles.

Self–sensing, anti–liquefaction, and long–term settlement characteristics of calcareous sand seeped by high-concentration colloidal silica

Low–concentration of colloidal silica (usually from 5 to 20 wt%) for liquefaction mitigation has been widely studied. But fewer literatures have focused on higher concentration of colloidal silica for cementing sand. For calcareous sand seeped by 40 wt% colloidal silica, cyclic loadings were performed to explore its anti–liquefaction, long–term settlement and self–sensing characteristics. Cyclic triaxial apparatus were to perform anti–liquefaction and long–term settlement tests, and use self-built setup to perform self-sensing tests. The new findings are as follows: (1) for anti–liquefaction, specimens seeped by 40 wt% colloidal silica can’t achieve liquefaction, i.e., the excess pore pressure ratios cyclically fluctuates between 1 and negative, which is not discovered by lower concentration of colloidal silica in the previous literatures; (2) for long–term settlement, cumulative strain is small after 20,000 cycles, and the cumulative strain is less than 1 % even the cyclic stress ratio (CSR) is greater than 1.1, indicating that the colloidal–silica–cemented sand has good resistance to deformation; (3) self–sensing characteristics have been discovered, i.e., a stress change of 90 kPa can lead to 59.37 % change in electrical resistivity, compared to Portland–cement-treated sand without change of resistivity under the same stress change. When Portland–cemented materials are added with conductive fillers in the previous literatures, they can exhibit self-sensing characteristics, but the stress sensitivity is still two orders lower than colloidal–silica–cemented sand. For colloidal–silica–cemented sand, based on the fact that the dry silica gel is non–conductive and only the salt solution in the micro porous media is conductive, the self–sensing feature can be attributed to the stress–induced deformation of micro conductive–salt–solution–filled channels (i.e., the deformation of conductive network). The above research indicates that colloidal–silica–seeped sand has a potential for self–sensing subgrades in the marine environments.

Discussion of “Particle breakage characteristics and grading evolution of calcareous sand under various stress paths”, by Mingxing Luo, Xiaoxuan Liu, Li Zhong and Cai Wu; Marine Georesources & Geotechnology, DOI: 10.1080/1064119X.2024.2302060.

This article aims to elaborate on the primary theme of the published paper in the journal of Marine Georesources and Geotechnology titled "Particle breakage characteristics and grading evolution of calcareous sand under various stress paths." Its purpose is to ensure the integrity of the content, rendering it suitable for consideration as a discussion paper of Mingxing Luo, Xiaoxuan Liu, Li Zhong, and Cai Wu (2024).

Analysis of influencing factors of penetration mechanism and vertical bearing characteristics of monopile in calcareous sand: Laboratory model testing and in-situ testing

The construction of islands and reef engineering structures in marine environments has been a hot topic in recent years, and calcareous sand, which possesses unique physical properties, is widely distributed on islands and reefs. Due to the properties of calcareous sand, engineering problems such as pile slipping while driving and a low bearing capacity during service can occur. To address the key problem of pile‒soil interactions in calcareous sand foundations, laboratory model and in situ tests were conducted, accounting for factors such as impact energy, relative density, pile-forming method, and pile aspect ratio. First, the penetration mechanism of hammered piles in calcareous sand was studied. Then, the differences in vertical bearing characteristics between hammered and pre-embedded piles under different conditions were explored. The pile driving test results showed that a higher impact energy and lower relative density are more conducive to pile sinking. Moreover, as the number of hammer drops and dynamic penetration resistance increase with increasing burial depth, the pile tip resistance is the main factor limiting pile penetration in calcareous sand. The vertical static loading test revealed that particle breakage accelerates soil redistribution around the pile and that compaction enhances the bearing capacity of the pile. The pile aspect ratio, relative density and pile-forming method also play major roles in the vertical bearing capacity of piles in calcareous sand. In addition, the skin friction of a pile rapidly increases to the ultimate value along a multisegment trend of polyline functions. Similarly, the pile tip resistance rapidly increases at the initial loading stage, exhibiting the behavior of an end-bearing pile. The in situ test results indicated that the pile penetration depth in coral calcareous sand is an important factor affecting the bearing capacity.

Assessment of mechanical behavior and failure criteria under varied confining pressures in treated calcareous sand

Ensuring project safety for maritime geotechnical structures primarily composed of calcareous sand is crucial. Cement-based reinforcement is a promising strategy to enhance integrity and deformability, especially for overlying infrastructures in high-pressure ocean engineering. Firstly, the specimens are created by blending Portland cement and Gypsum into calcareous sand at contents of 16% and 22% and then subjected to curing periods of 7 and 3 days to explore their resistance to loading. Secondly, a triaxial consolidated drained test is conducted, applying different confining pressures ranging from 100 to 1200 kPa. This test aims to assess the mechanical behavior, strength parameters, failure criteria, and stress dilatancy behaviors of treated specimen. The results illustrating the peak shear strength points of all treated specimens display a concave nonlinear shape sloping downwards. An equation is presented to modify the mean effective stress and accommodate the influence of bonding strength. Finally, A revised criterion is formulated by integrating this equation into the failure criterion. Significantly, this refined failure criterion accurately defines the failure envelopes. An equation was established to reveal the relationship between the brittleness index and confining pressure. Additionally, two stress ratio parameters are defined based on the brittleness index to describe bonding degradation comprehensively.

Investigation on the Confined Breakage Characteristics of Calcareous Sand in the South China Sea Integrated Using Relative Breakage Ratio and Fractal Dimension

Investigation on the Confined Breakage Characteristics of Calcareous Sand in the South China Sea Integrated Using Relative Breakage Ratio and Fractal Dimension

Application of SCMs and seawater to cement-bonded calcareous sand: Macro performance, micro mechanism, and strength prediction

Cement-bonded calcareous sand (C-BCS) demonstrates promising potential for marine island construction due to its exceptional mechanical properties. However, challenges such as freshwater scarcity and the erosive effects of seawater hinder the extensive utilization of C-BCS. To address this, this study comprehensively examines the feasibility of incorporating supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) and seawater in C-BCS, focusing on macroscopic properties, microscopic mechanisms, and strength prediction. Macroscopic tests reveal that blast furnace slag and silica fume effectively enhance the hydration process and mechanical properties of C-BCS. Moreover, the cemented specimens developed in this study partially meet the strength standards for road pavement sub-base and airport runway upper-base applications. Microscopic analyses indicate that calcareous sand serves as a plentiful source of calcium, facilitating the formation of calcium aluminate silicate hydrate (C-A-S-H) and tobermorite when combined with Al2O3 and reactive SiO2 from slag and silica fume. This enhances the mechanical properties of the samples and their resistance against seawater erosion. Additionally, a back propagation (BP) neural network model accurately predicts the unconfined compressive strength of the cemented specimens. The findings of this study support the broader implementation of SCMs and seawater in practical island engineering projects involving C-BCS.

Macro-microscopic mechanical behavior of geogrid reinforced calcareous sand subjected to triaxial loads: Effects of aperture size and tensile resistance

Reinforcing calcareous sands with geogrids is a potentially effective method for large-scale geotechnical constructions in coastal lands. The breakable nature of polygonal calcareous sands determines the complex particle-geogrid interactions. A three-dimensional numerical model of geogrid reinforced calcareous sand (GRCS) was established to investigate the potential mechanical laws based on the discrete element method (DEM), and the reasonableness of the numerical model was verified by comparing with the indoor triaxial test. It follows that the macro-microscopic mechanical behavior of GRCS under the influence of aperture size and tensile resistance of geogrids was further investigated via effective DEM simulations. The presented results show that the decreased aperture size and increased tensile resistance are beneficial to enhance the macro-mechanical properties of GRCS, including strength, internal friction angle and pseudo cohesion. Particle crushing is mainly affected by shear strain and confining pressure. The bulging deformation of GRCS is partially suppressed due to the confining effect of geogrids. Besides, the source of strength enhancement of GRCS is revealed based on the microscopic particle-geogrid interactions, and the calculation method of horizontal and vertical additional stresses in the reinforced soil element considering the effects of tensile resistance and aperture size is further established.

Development of a modified hypoplastic model for calcareous sand considering particle crushing

In the field of ocean engineering, calcareous sand is frequently employed. However, particle breakage can significantly reduce its strength and dilatancy while increasing its compressibility, leading to potential safety and stability issues for foundations. Traditional constitutive models have limitations in accurately describing the mechanical behavior of calcareous sand. To address this issue, a modified hypoplastic model is proposed in this study, incorporating the quantified indicator of relative particle breakage rate, Br. The established stress-strain relationship is intricately linked to the Br index, effectively connecting it with the effective stress and deviatoric stress. The effect of particle crushing on the critical friction angle, CSL parameters and α parameter of the hypoplastic model were systematically analyzed. A VUMAT subroutine is developed to assess the precision and applicability of the proposed model by simulating triaxial drainage tests under three different densities. The simulation results exhibit good agreement with experimental data, demonstrating the superiority of the modified model over the conventional hypoplastic model. This modified model proves suitable for calcareous sands with varying densities, making it a valuable tool for enhancing stability and safety in ocean Engineering Geology.

Marine domestication of Sporosarcina pasteurii induces the precipitation of CaCO3 to solidify calcareous sand

The construction of island reef projects using natural seawater, tailored to local conditions, holds significant importance for the advancement of environmentally-friendly geotechnical engineering practices. Previous studies on the application of MICP technology in a seawater environment have been scarce. In this study, Sporosarcina pasteurii were acclimatized to a seawater environment and employed for MICP mineralization reinforcement of calcareous sand, resulting in an enhanced mineralization effect compared to previous attempts under similar conditions. Both direct domestication and gradient domestication methods proved successful in enabling Sporosarcina pasteurii to adapt effectively within a seawater environment. Following domestication, the amount of CaCO3 generated through MICP solidification increased from 2.30% to 4.47%, resulting in a corresponding increase in the Ca2+ conversion rate from 5.19% to 10.02%. Additionally, after domestication, the unconfined compressive strength (UCS) reached up to 309kPa – representing an impressive improvement of 35.53% compared to pre-domestication levels, however, it should be noted that its reinforcement effect still falls short when compared with pure water conditions. The CaCO3 minerals formed after MICP reinforcement using seawater nutrient solution in domesticated Sporosarcina pasteurii predominantly consist of needle-shaped aragonite and granular anorthite minerals, as opposed to the previously observed calcite-type CaCO3 minerals.

Effects of Particle Breakage on the Mechanical Behavior of Calcareous Sand Under Confined Compression Tests

Effects of Particle Breakage on the Mechanical Behavior of Calcareous Sand Under Confined Compression Tests