Abstract
Soil stabilization with cement is one of the most widely used methods in construction projects. Nowadays, the use of new and environmentally friendly materials, such as nanoparticles, has attracted the attention of geotechnical engineers. Hence, in the present study, cement and nanoclay (NC) were added to silty sand to improve the soil properties through various tests, including standard Proctor compaction, unconfined compressive strength (UCS), and unconsolidated-undrained (UU) triaxial tests. Evaluations were performed for different percentages of cement (4, 6, and 8% by dry weight of the mixed soil) and NC (0, 0.5, 1, and 2% by dry weight of the cement, as an additive and replacement materials). Curing time for UCS tests was 7, 14, and 28 days, and for UU triaxial test was 14 days. The results of the standard Proctor compaction tests showed that with increase in the cement percentage, the maximum dry unit weight increased, and the optimum moisture content (OMC) decreased. Results of the UCS tests indicated that by increasing the cement percentage, the UCS enhanced, and the samples exhibited brittle behavior. Moreover, the NC had no significant effect on the UCS as well as the brittle behavior of the cement-stabilized samples. The results of the UU triaxial tests showed that not only the cohesion (C) but also the internal friction angle (φ) improved with increase in the cement percentage, in which the increase in the C was more significant in comparison with the φ.
![](http://media.springernature.com/m312/springer-static/image/art%3A10.1007%2Fs40996-022-00875-0/MediaObjects/40996_2022_875_Fig1_HTML.png)
![](http://media.springernature.com/m312/springer-static/image/art%3A10.1007%2Fs40996-022-00875-0/MediaObjects/40996_2022_875_Fig2_HTML.jpg)
![](http://media.springernature.com/m312/springer-static/image/art%3A10.1007%2Fs40996-022-00875-0/MediaObjects/40996_2022_875_Fig3_HTML.png)
![](http://media.springernature.com/m312/springer-static/image/art%3A10.1007%2Fs40996-022-00875-0/MediaObjects/40996_2022_875_Fig4_HTML.png)
![](http://media.springernature.com/m312/springer-static/image/art%3A10.1007%2Fs40996-022-00875-0/MediaObjects/40996_2022_875_Fig5_HTML.png)
![](http://media.springernature.com/m312/springer-static/image/art%3A10.1007%2Fs40996-022-00875-0/MediaObjects/40996_2022_875_Fig6_HTML.jpg)
![](http://media.springernature.com/m312/springer-static/image/art%3A10.1007%2Fs40996-022-00875-0/MediaObjects/40996_2022_875_Fig7_HTML.png)
![](http://media.springernature.com/m312/springer-static/image/art%3A10.1007%2Fs40996-022-00875-0/MediaObjects/40996_2022_875_Fig8_HTML.jpg)
![](http://media.springernature.com/m312/springer-static/image/art%3A10.1007%2Fs40996-022-00875-0/MediaObjects/40996_2022_875_Fig9_HTML.png)
![](http://media.springernature.com/m312/springer-static/image/art%3A10.1007%2Fs40996-022-00875-0/MediaObjects/40996_2022_875_Fig10_HTML.png)
![](http://media.springernature.com/m312/springer-static/image/art%3A10.1007%2Fs40996-022-00875-0/MediaObjects/40996_2022_875_Fig11_HTML.png)
![](http://media.springernature.com/m312/springer-static/image/art%3A10.1007%2Fs40996-022-00875-0/MediaObjects/40996_2022_875_Fig12_HTML.png)
![](http://media.springernature.com/m312/springer-static/image/art%3A10.1007%2Fs40996-022-00875-0/MediaObjects/40996_2022_875_Fig13_HTML.jpg)
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Al-Aghbari MY, Mohamedzein YEA, Taha R (2009) Stabilization of desert sands using cement and cement dust. Proc Inst Civ Eng Ground Improv 162(3):145–151. https://doi.org/10.1680/grim.2009.162.3.145
Al-Homidy AA, Dahim MH, Abd El Aal AK (2017) Improvement of geotechnical properties of sabkha soil utilizing cement kiln dust. J Rock Mech Geotech Eng 9(4):749–760. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jrmge.2016.11.012
Amini Y, Hamidi A (2014) Triaxial shear behavior of a cement-treated sand-gravel mixture. J Rock Mech Geotech Eng 6(5):455–465. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jrmge.2014.07.006
ASTM (2007) Standard test method for particle-size analysis of soils (withdrawn 2016). ASTM International. D422-63(2007)e2, West Conshohocken, PA. doi: https://doi.org/10.1520/D0422-63R07E02
ASTM (2012) Standard test methods for laboratory compaction characteristics of soil using standard effort (12,400 ft-lbf/ft3 (600 kN-m/m3)). ASTM International. D698-12e2, West Conshohocken, PA. doi: https://doi.org/10.1520/D0698-12E02
ASTM (2014) Standard test methods for specific gravity of soil solids by water pycnometer. ASTM International. D854-14, West Conshohocken, PA. doi: https://doi.org/10.1520/D0854-14
ASTM (2015) Standard test method for unconsolidated-undrained triaxial compression test on cohesive soils. ASTM International. D2850-15, West Conshohocken, PA. doi: https://doi.org/10.1520/D2850-15
ASTM (2016) Standard test method for unconfined compressive strength of cohesive soil. ASTM International. D2166/D2166M-16, West Conshohocken, PA. doi: https://doi.org/10.1520/D2166_D2166M-16
ASTM (2017a) Standard practice for classification of soils for engineering purposes (unified soil classification system). ASTM International. D2487-17e1, West Conshohocken, PA. doi: https://doi.org/10.1520/D2487-17E01
ASTM (2017b) Standard test methods for liquid limit, plastic limit, and plasticity index of soils. ASTM International. D4318-17e1, West Conshohocken, PA. doi: https://doi.org/10.1520/D4318-17E01
ASTM (2019) Standard test methods for moisture-density (unit weight) relations of soil-cement mixtures. ASTM International. D558/D558M-19, West Conshohocken, PA. doi: https://doi.org/10.1520/D0558_D0558M-19
Baxter CDP, Sharma MSR, Moran K, Vaziri H, Narayanasamy R (2011) Use of Ā = 0 as a failure criterion for weakly cemented soils. J Geotech Geoenviron Eng 137(2):161–170. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)GT.1943-5606.0000414
Baziar MH, Saeidaskari J, Alibolandi M (2018) Effects of nanoclay on the treatment of core material in earth dams. J Mater Civ Eng 30(10):04018250. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)MT.1943-5533.0002415
Bowles JE (1995) Foundation analysis and design, 5th edn. McGraw-Hill, New York
Cheng L, Ruwisch RC, Shahin MA (2013) Cementation of sand soil by microbially induced calcite precipitation at various degrees of saturation. Can Geotech J 50(1):81–90. https://doi.org/10.1139/cgj-2012-0023
Choobbasti AJ, Vafaei A, Kutanaei SS (2018) Static and cyclic triaxial behavior of cemented sand with nanosilica. J Mater Civ Eng 30(10):04018269. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)MT.1943-5533.0002464
Consoli NC, Vendruscolo MA, Fonini A, Rosa FD (2009) Fiber reinforcement effects on sand considering a wide cementation range. Geotext Geomembr 27(3):196–203. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geotexmem.2008.11.005
Craig RF (2004) Craig’s soil mechanics, 7th edn. Spon Press, Taylor & Francis Group, London
Deb K, Sawant V, Kiran A (2010) Effects of fines on compaction characteristics of poorly graded sands. Int J Geotech Eng 4(2):299–304. https://doi.org/10.3328/IJGE.2010.04.02.299-304
Eskisar T (2015) Influence of cement treatment on unconfined compressive strength and compressibility of lean clay with medium plasticity. Arab J Sci Eng 40:763–772. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13369-015-1579-z
Ghadakpour M, Choobbasti AJ, Kutanaei SS (2019) Investigation of the deformability properties of fiber reinforced cemented sand. J Adhes Sci Technol 33(17):1–26. https://doi.org/10.1080/01694243.2019.1619224
Ghadakpour M, Choobbasti AJ, Kutanaei SS (2020) Investigation of the Kenaf fiber hybrid length on the properties of the cement-treated sandy soil. Transp Geotech 22:100301. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trgeo.2019.100301
Hakamy A, Shaikh FUA, Low IM (2013) Microstructures and mechanical properties of hemp fabric reinforced organoclay-cement nanocomposites. Constr Build Mater 49:298–307. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2013.08.028
Hamidi A, Hooresfand M (2013) Effect of fiber reinforcement on triaxial shear behavior of cement treated sand. Geotext Geomembr 36:1–9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geotexmem.2012.10.005
Hasanzadeh A, Shooshpasha I (2019) Effects of silica fume on cemented sand using ultrasonic pulse velocity. J Adhes Sci Technol 33(11):1184–1200. https://doi.org/10.1080/01694243.2019.1582890
Hasanzadeh A, Shooshpasha I (2020) Influence of silica fume on the geotechnical characteristics of cemented sand. Geotech Geol Eng. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10706-020-01436-w
Horpibulsuk S, Rachan R, Chinkulkijniwat A, Raksachon Y, Suddeepong A (2010) Analysis of strength development in cement-stabilized silty clay from microstructural considerations. Constr Build Mater 24(10):2011–2021. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2010.03.011
Horpibulsuk S, Rachan R, Suddeepong A (2011) Assessment of strength development in blended cement admixed bangkok clay. Constr Build Mater 25(4):1521–1531. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2010.08.006
Hosseini P, Booshehrian A, Farshchi S (2010) Influence of nano-SiO2 addition on microstructure and mechanical properties of cement mortars for ferrocement. Transp Res Rec J Transp Res Board 2141(1):15–20. https://doi.org/10.3141/2141-04
Hosseini P, Hosseinpourpia R, Pajum A, Khodavirdi MM, Izadi H, Vaezi A (2014) Effect of nano-particles and aminosilane interaction on the performances of cement-based composites: an experimental study. Constr Build Mater 66:113–124. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2014.05.047
Iranpour B, Haddad A (2016) The influence of nanomaterials on collapsible soil treatment. Eng Geol 205:40–53. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enggeo.2016.02.015
Kafi MA, Nik AS, Bahari A, Nik AS, Mirshafiei E (2016) Microstructural characterization and mechanical properties of cementitious mortar containing montmorillonite nanoparticles. J Mater Civ Eng 28(12):04016155. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)MT.1943-5533.0001671
Koutenaei RY, Choobbasti AJ, Kutanaei SS (2019) Triaxial behavior of a cemented sand reinforced with kenaf fibers. Europ J Environ Civ Eng. https://doi.org/10.1080/19648189.2019.1574607
Kuo WY, Huang JS, Lin CH (2006) Effects of organo-modified montmorillonite on strengths and permeability of cement mortars. Cem Concr Res 36(5):886–895. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconres.2005.11.013
Kutanaei SS, Choobbasti AJ (2017) Effects of nanosilica particles and randomly distributed fibers on the ultrasonic pulse velocity and mechanical properties of cemented sand. J Mater Civ Eng 29(3):04016230. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)MT.1943-5533.0001761
Lambe TW, Whitman RV (1969) Soil mechanics, 1st edn. London, Wiley
Liu E, He S (2012) Effects of cyclic dynamic loading on the mechanical properties of intact rock samples under confining pressure conditions. Eng Geol 125:81–91. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enggeo.2011.11.007
Mengue E, Mroueh H, Lancelot L, Eko RM (2017a) Physicochemical and consolidation properties of compacted lateritic soil treated with cement. Soils Found 57(1):60–79. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sandf.2017.01.005
Mengue E, Mroueh H, Lancelot L, Eko RM (2017b) Mechanical improvement of a fine-grained lateritic soil treated with cement for use in road construction. J Mater Civ Eng 29(11):04017206. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)MT.1943-5533.0002059
Moon SW, Vinoth G, Subramanian S, Kim J, Ku T (2020) Effect of fine particles on strength and stiffness of cement treated sand. Granul Matter 22(9):1–13
Noorzad R, Delavar IN (2019) Investigation into the short-term behavior of silty sand stabilized with colloidal silica. Sci Iran A 26(3):1206–1213
Osinubi KJ, Nwaiwu CMO (2006) Compaction delay effects on properties of lime-treated soil. J Mater Civ Eng 18(2):250–258. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)0899-1561(2006)18:2(250)
Sariosseiri F, Muhunthan B (2009) Effect of cement treatment on geotechnical properties of some Washington State soils. Eng Geol 104(1–2):119–125. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enggeo.2008.09.003
Schnaid F, Prietto PDM, Consoli NC (2001) Characterization of cemented sand in triaxial compression. J Geotech Geoenviron Eng 127(10):857–868. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)1090-0241(2001)127:10(857)
Shahidi M, Farrokhi F, Asemi F (2019) Changes in physical and mechanical properties of gas oil-contaminated clayey sand after addition of clay nanoparticles. J Environ Eng 145(4):04019004. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)EE.1943-7870.0001508
Tabarsa A, Latifi N, Meehan CL, Manahiloh KN (2018) Laboratory investigation and field evaluation of loess improvement using nanoclay – a sustainable material for construction. Constr Build Mater 158:454–463. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2017.09.096
Toll DG, Rahman ZA (2017) Critical state shear strength of an unsaturated artificially cemented sand. Géotechnique 67(3):208–215. https://doi.org/10.1680/jgeot.15.P.042
Vranna A, Tika T (2020) Undrained monotonic and cyclic response of weakly cemented sand. J Geotech Geoenviron Eng 146(5):04020018. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)GT.1943-5606.0002246
Wang YH, Leung SC (2008a) Characterization of cemented sand by experimental and numerical investigations. J Geotech Geoenviron Eng 134(7):992–1004. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)1090-0241(2008)134:7(992)
Wang YH, Leung SC (2008b) A particulate-scale investigation of cemented sand behavior. Can Geotech J 45(1):29–44. https://doi.org/10.1139/T07-070
**ng H, Yang X, Xu C, Ye G (2009) Strength characteristics and mechanisms of salt-rich soil-cement. Eng Geol 103(1–2):33–38. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enggeo.2008.07.011
Yongfeng D, Songyu L, Jian’an H, Kan L, Yanjun D, Fei J (2012) Strength and permeability of cemented soil with PAM. In: proceedings of the 4th international conference on grouting and deep mixing, 15–18 February, New Orleans, Louisiana, United States, pp 1800–1807
Zhang G (2007) Soil nanoparticles and their influence on engineering properties of soils. Geo-Denver 2007, 18–21 February, Denver, Colorado, United States, pp 1–13. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1061/40917(236)37
Zomorodian SMA, Shabnam M, Armina S, O’Kelly BC (2017) Strength enhancement of clean and kerosene-contaminated sandy lean clay using nanoclay and nanosilica as additives. Appl Clay Sci 140:140–147. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clay.2017.02.004
Acknowledgements
The authors acknowledge the funding support of Babol Noshirvani University of Technology through Grant program No. BNUT/370342/98.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Ethics declarations
Conflict of interest
The authors confirm that there are no known conflicts of interest associated with this publication.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Momeni Helali, V., Noorzad, R. Effects of Cement and Nanoclay on the Characteristics of the Sand with Non-Plastic Fine Materials. Iran J Sci Technol Trans Civ Eng 46, 4265–4280 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40996-022-00875-0
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40996-022-00875-0