Evaluating the Effect of Nano-SiO2 on Different Types of Soils: A Multi-Scale Study
Abstract
:1. Introduction
2. Materials and Methods
2.1. Material
2.2. Sample Preparation
2.3. Testing Methods
3. Results and Discussion
3.1. Constant Temperature Evaporation Test
3.2. Direct Shear Test
3.3. Unconfined Compression Test
- : Residual strength;
- : Unconfined compressive strength.
3.4. SEM (XRD) and X-ray Diffraction Analysis
3.5. pH Tests
3.6. Limitation and Future Work
4. Conclusions
- Nano-SiO2 has a great specific surface area, which results in a smaller final water evaporation loss and lower evaporation rate in regard to nano-SiO2-reinforced soil, when compared with plain soil.
- Nano-SiO2 can improve the shear strength of clayey and sandy soil under cured and uncured conditions. The enhancing effect increases with the increase in nano-SiO2 content, and the enhancing effect on clayey soil is better than on sandy soil.
- Nano-SiO2 can fill the pores between soil particles in order to improve the mechanical properties of the matrix. In addition, it can form a gel to enhance the connection between soil particles. By these means, the shear strength of soil is promoted. As sandy soil has larger particles and a looser structure, the reinforcing effect of nano-SiO2 possesses less influence.
- The unconfined compressive strength of nano-SiO2-reinforced clayey soil increases with the rise of nano-SiO2 content. Nano-SiO2 also increases the soil brittleness, which results in a decrease in failure strain.
- The results of SEM and X-ray diffraction show that nano-SiO2 enhances soil strength in two ways: one is by improving the interfacial contact area and the particle packing density of soil; the other is by enhancing the cementation between soil particles. There is no new mineral composition generated in nano-SiO2-reinforced soil.
- When compared with traditional cement material, nano-SiO2 has less influence on the soil pH value.
Author Contributions
Funding
Institutional Review Board Statement
Informed Consent Statement
Data Availability Statement
Conflicts of Interest
References
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Property | Value | |
---|---|---|
Sandy Soil | Clayey Soil | |
Specific gravity | 2.55 | 2.73 |
Maximum dry unit weight (kN/m3) | 17.05 | 16.85 |
Optimum moisture content (%) | 11.00 | 22.00 |
Liquid limit (%) | \ | 18.08 |
Plastic limit (%) | \ | 32.47 |
Property | Result |
---|---|
Type | Silicon oxide (SiO2) |
Purity (%) | 99 |
APS (nm) | 10–50 |
Bulk density (g/cm3) | 0.10 |
Specific gravity | 2.40 |
Color | Bright white |
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Gu, J.; Cai, X.; Wang, Y.; Guo, D.; Zeng, W. Evaluating the Effect of Nano-SiO2 on Different Types of Soils: A Multi-Scale Study. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19, 16805. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192416805
Gu J, Cai X, Wang Y, Guo D, Zeng W. Evaluating the Effect of Nano-SiO2 on Different Types of Soils: A Multi-Scale Study. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2022; 19(24):16805. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192416805
Chicago/Turabian StyleGu, Jiayu, Xin Cai, Youqiang Wang, Dahan Guo, and Wen Zeng. 2022. "Evaluating the Effect of Nano-SiO2 on Different Types of Soils: A Multi-Scale Study" International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 19, no. 24: 16805. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192416805