Application of an Acrylic Polymer and Epoxy Emulsion to Red Clay and Sand

Abstract

The use of nontraditional soil stabilizers increases. Various new soil binding agents are under study to augment renewability and sustainability of an earth structure. However, despite increasing interest involved in red clay, there is minimal research investigating the stabilizing red clay with polymer. This paper presents the findings obtained by applying the acrylic polymer and epoxy emulsion as binding agent for red clay and that for sand. The epoxy–hardener ratio, amount of epoxy emulsion, and amount of polymer aqueous solution were manipulated to quantify their effects on red clay and sand, respectively. After compacting a pair of cylindrical samples of which diameter and height are 5 cm and 10 cm, respectively, it is cured for 3 and 7 days in a controlled condition. Each pair is produced to represent the engineering performance at each data point in the solution space. An optimal composition of the binding agents for red clay and that for sand mixture are identified by experimenting every data point. In addition, given lime into each sample, the maximum unconfined compressive strength (UCS) endured by red clay sample and that by sand sample are 2243 and 1493 kPa, respectively. The UCS obtained by the sample mixed with clay and sand reaches 2671 kPa after seven days of curing. It confirms that the addition of lime remarkably improves the UCS. When the clay–sand mixture, of which the ratio is 70:30, includes 5% lime, the UCS of the mixture outperforms. Indeed, these findings, i.e., the optimal proportion of components, may contribute to the increase of initial and long-term strength of an earth structure, hence improving the renewability and sustainability of the earth construction method.

Evaluation of Compressive Strength and Thermal Conductivity of Sand Stabilized with Epoxy Emulsion and Polymer Solution

“…The rational for this phenomenon may be that the moisture retained in the APAS disperses the EM and reduce the area over which particles have connected each other. It appears that high polymer solution rate makes the epoxy treated soil sample weak [ 20 ]. The variability of the UCS is shown in Figure 6 .…”

“…The APAS is generated by the reaction mechanism by formulating the ingredients of acrylic acid greater than 99%, 4,4′-azobis (4-cyanovaleric acid) greater than 98%) and ethyl alcohol equal to 94% [ 22 ]. Acrylamide and acrylic acid underwent polymerization process through the thermal radical formation of an initiator and formed covalent bonds [ 20 ]. The synthesis process of APAS and relationship with APAS and EM are elaborated in detail by Yoon et al [ 21 ].…”

“…The thermal property of a grouting material is involved in energy efficiency, hence, affecting to the number and length of boreholes; the strength property of it affect to stability of the GCHP in situ [ 17 ]. Existing studies confirm the epoxy emulsion (EM) and acrylic polymer aqueous solution (APAS) mixture outperforms in strength development as a red clay stabilizer [ 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 ]. However, few study considers its energy efficiency and strength when it is mixed with sand for grouting of GCHP system.…”

Thermal Properties of Eco-Friendly Earthen Materials Stabilized with Bio-Based Polymers: Experimental Data and Modeling Procedure for Improving Mix-Design

“…Since ancient times, in many countries around the world, there has been a tendency to use stabilizers of animal and plant origin, dictated by local availability and building traditions [ 47 , 48 , 49 , 50 , 51 , 52 ]. Today, this stabilization is often obtained by using lime, cements, bitumen, and synthetic polymers [ 21 , 48 , 53 , 54 , 55 , 56 , 57 , 58 ]; however, this tends to undermine the improvements in sustainability offered by earthen materials.…”

“…Due to factors such as cost, chain length, and the possibility of the process not reinitiating once completed, preference has mostly been given to resins obtained through polycondensation. Various types include resorcinol–formaldehyde resins, phenolic resins, furan resins, polyacrylates, and polyurethanes [ 56 , 57 , 58 , 59 , 60 ]. Nevertheless, urea–formaldehyde resins have been the most commonly utilized due to their lower cost [ 58 , 59 ].…”