In order to investigate the effect of nano-silica on the unconfined compressive strength and frost heaving characteristics of silty clay, a series of indoor tests of unconfined compressive strength, frost heaving, and mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP) was done on silty clay with different nano-silica content. The unconfined compressive strength of silty clay increased with increases in nano-silica content, and increased by 6.65 times when the nano-silica content was 5.0%. However, the frost heaving displacement decreased with increases in the nano-silica content. The results of MIP tests illustrated that the volume and number of large pores decreased, and the volume and numbers of small pores increased with increases in the nano-silica content. An increase in the nano-silica content increased the porosity and decreased the average pore diameter. The formation of viscous gel by addition of nano-silica into silty clay enhanced the bonding and filled the gaps between particles of silty clay and blocked the migration of water in the soil. The microscopic pore structure of the sample was generally uniform with increasing nano-silica content, which resulted in an increase in unconfined compressive strength and a decrease in frost heaving displacement.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
T. Ji, Y. Z. Huang, and Z. Q. Zhen, "Primary investigation of physics and mechanics properties of nano-concrete," Concrete, 161, 13-14 (2003).
R. S. Chen, "Study on cement based material reinforced by polymer and ultra-fine powder," PhD Thesis, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou (2002).
Q. L. Xu, "The effects of nano-SiO2 on the performance of cement-based materials and the study of the mechanism," PhD Thesis, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou (2013).
H. Li, M. Zhang, and J. Ou, "Abrasion resistance of concrete containing nano-particles for pavement," Wear, 260, 1262-1266 (2006).
M. Mohammadi and M. Niazian, "Investigation of Nano-clay effect on geotechnical properties of Rasht clay," Int. J. Adv. Sci. Tech. Res., 3, 37-46 (2013).
J. J. Jurinak and L. E. Summers, "Oilfield application of colloidal silica gel," SPE. Prod. Eng., 6, 406-412 (1991).
G. J. Moridis, J. Apps, P. Persoff, L. Myer, S. Muller, P. Yen, and K. Pruess, "A field test of a waste containment technology using a new generation of injectable barrier liquids," Office of Scientific & Technical Information Technical Reports (1996).
C. T. Conlee, P. M. Gallagher, R. W. Boulanger, and R. Kamai, "Centrifuge modeling for liquefaction mitigation using colloidal silica stabilizer," J. Geotech. Geoenviron. Eng., 138, 1334-1345 (2012).
M. R. Taha and O. M. Taha, "Influence of nano-material on the expansive and shrinkage soil behavior," J. Nanopart. Res., 14, 1-13 (2012).
F. Changizi, and A. Haddad, "Effect of nano-SiO2 on the geotechnical properties of cohesive soil," Geotech. Geol. Eng., 34, 725-733 (2016).
L. E. Valleho, and R. Mawby, "Porosity influence on the shear strength of granular material-clay mixtures," Eng. Geol., 58, 125-136 (2000).
J. Lanaman, E. Paineau, P. Davidson, I. Bihannic, L. J. Michot, A. M. Philippe, A. V. Petukhov, and H. N. Lekkerkerker, "Effects of added silica nanoparticles on the nematic liquid crystal phase formation in beidellite suspensions," J. Phys. Chem. B, 118, 4913-4919 (2014).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Translated from Osnovaniya, Fundamenty i Mekhanika Gruntov, No. 5, p. 30, September-October, 2018.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Hu, K., Chen, X., Chen, J. et al. Laboratory Investigation of the Effect of Nano-Silica on Unconfined Compressive Strength and Frost Heaving Characteristics of Silty Clay. Soil Mech Found Eng 55, 352–357 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11204-018-9548-7
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11204-018-9548-7