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Combined effect of nano-silica and randomly distributed fibers on the strength behavior of clay soil

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Abstract

The current study presents the laboratory investigation on the use of nano-silica (0.2, 0.4, 0.8 and 1.0%) and polypropylene fiber (0.25, 0.50, 0.75 and 1.0%) in problematic clayey soil to enhance the shear strength and compaction characteristics. From the Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis, it is observed that the diameter of nano-particles used in this study was in the range of 10–20 nm. The nano-particles have a spherical shape and amorphous in nature. Extensive laboratory tests such as the standard Proctor compaction test and unconfined compressive strength test have been conducted on untreated and polypropylene fiber along with nano-silica treated clayey soil. The outcomes showed that the addition of polypropylene fiber in poor soil, increase the maximum dry density and reduce the optimum moisture content of the soil. Whereas, the addition of nano-silica to the clay soil results in reduced maximum dry density and increased optimum moisture content. Unconfined compressive strength of clay soil is increased with the addition of polypropylene fiber and nano-silica to the clay soil. The optimum dosage of polypropylene fiber and nano-silica added to the poor soil was 0.75% and 0.8%, respectively. The Young’s modulus of clay soil was increased with the addition of polypropylene fiber and nano-silica. The microscopic analysis confirmed that C–S–H gel was the main cementitious product, and the inclusion of nano-silica can contribute to a denser packing of soil particles.

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Acknowledgements

The authors convey thanks to the Nanotechnology Research Centre (NRC) of SRM Institute of Science and Technology (SRMIST) for providing the research facilities. Also, the authors acknowledge the Hi-Resolution Transmission Electron Microscope (HRTEM) Facility at SRMIST set up with support from MNRE (Project No. 31/03/2014-15/PVSE-R&D), Government of India.

Funding

The authors collected no financial support from any government/private agencies.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Civil Engineering, Kongu Engineering College, Perundurai, Erode, Tamil Nadu, 638060, India

    P. Kulanthaivel & V. S. Kayalvizhi

  2. Department of Civil Engineering, Vel Tech Rangarajan Dr. Sagunthala R&D Institute of Science and Technology, Avadi, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, 600062, India

    S. Selvakumar

  3. Department of Civil Engineering, Bannari Amman Institute of Technology, Sathyamangalam, Erode, Tamil Nadu, 638401, India

    B. Soundara

  4. Department of Civil Engineering, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur, Chengalpattu District, Tamil Nadu, 603203, India

    S. Bhuvaneshwari

Authors
  1. P. Kulanthaivel
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  2. S. Selvakumar
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  3. B. Soundara
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  4. V. S. Kayalvizhi
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  5. S. Bhuvaneshwari
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Contributions

PK conceptualized the presented idea, derived the methodology, designed and performed the experiments and writing original draft. SS developed the theory, supervised the findings, supported in writing review and editing. BS article drafting and contributed to the final version of the manuscript. VSK contributed to final version of the manuscript. SB contributed to the microstructural analysis and final version of the manuscript.

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Correspondence to S. Selvakumar.

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Kulanthaivel, P., Selvakumar, S., Soundara, B. et al. Combined effect of nano-silica and randomly distributed fibers on the strength behavior of clay soil. Nanotechnol. Environ. Eng. 7, 23–34 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s41204-021-00176-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s41204-021-00176-3

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