Iris Publishers - Global Journal of Engineering Sciences (GJES)

Importance of Microstructural Analysis in Experimental Soil Stabilization

Authored by Amin Chegenizadeh 

Soil stabilization is one of the interesting topics for researchers [1-8]. This process includes not limited to fibres, slag, flyash etc. Fibres been interest of many research [9-13] or slag inclusion as conducted an example by Sabbar et al. [14]. The usage of recyclable material such as sawdust conducted by Keramatikerman et al. [15]. The importance of microstructural analysis initially highlighted by Bhatia and Soliman [16]. They indicated the microparticles have an important role in shaping behavior of a soil and the soil behaviour should be investigated from this perspective. They proposed a novel method to investigate the micropores, measuring the size and number of pores that form amongst soil particles [16]. In another study, [17] highlighted mainly on methodology and importance of the sample preparation in SEM analysis. He mentioned that to achieve reliable results, this is important to keep the structure of the sample as is in the environment (i.e., undisturbed) when testing the in the device. He indicated that a small amount of soil sample is mounted on SEM device and any changes in its structure may change or mislead the analysis. Also, if the sample is wet, the factors such as shrinkage during sample preparation should be considered as it may again lead to unreliable results [17].

The importance of the Microstructural analysis has vastly been highlighted in both ground improvements and geo-environmental engineering researches [18-24]. As an example, Horpibulsuk et al. [25] Investigated effect of cement addition on stabilisation of clay during the time by performing a series of microstructural analysis. They indicated that as cement contents increase the soil particles and cement particles shape clusters, and this make less voids and stronger for the soil system. In addition to the SEM testing, they performed mercury intrusion tests to measure the pore size distributions in the soil sample [25]. In a more recent study [26], analyzed improvement of a specific type of clay when mixed with Portland cement (PC) and blast furnace slag (BFS) from a microstructural analysis point of view. They concluded from microstructural analysis that addition of cement generates hydration products, and this helps the voids and pores to be filled by those cementitious products and as results the strength of the soil improved. The XRD analysis also revealed that improvement of the soil strength was mainly due to increase in calcium silicate and reduction of calcium aluminate elements existing in the cement [26].

From a geo-environmental study point of view, investigated effect of BFS stabilisation on a specific type of contaminated clay by performing a series of unconfined compressive strength tests. From SEM analysis, they indicated that the slippery nature of the contamination caused the soil particles easily move and have a lower compressive strength. They also observed lower hydration products patterns in XRD analysis as another example for lower strength of contaminated soil. In another study [27], effect of zinc contamination on clay stabilized with PC were investigated. The results of SEM analysis showed that as the contamination agent increased the amount of ettringite, and hydration products reduced until it reached to zero. They also indicated that SEM and XRD analysis can successfully be utilized in study a contaminated soil [27]. In another study, [28], investigated effect of lead contamination on a clay when mixed with PC. Similarly, they indicated that addition of PC caused generation of a denser samples with lesser voids where more hydration products exist, and a stronger sample is formed as seen in SEM analysis [28]. 

Conclusion  

In this mini review, the importance of the microstructural analysis in verification of the results in experimental soil mechanics were highlighted. This analysis usually encompasses to main types of XRD and SEM analysis to investigate chemical and physical characteristics of the soils respectively. To perform the SEM testing, sample preparation and keeping the soil integrity has a crucial role to achieve reliable results. Noting that the used sample has very small size which should presents characteristics of the soil sample or as this is in the environment. In testing wet soil samples, this should be noted that the preparation is a time taking process and is accompany with drying the samples. As such, the soils such as clay may shrink, and their authentic characteristics may change and lead to unreliable results. As noted, the microstructural analysis has been successfully utilized in understanding the soil particles micro Behaviours and their interactions with stabilisation agents like cement and or contamination fluids.

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