Treatment of a collapsible soil using a bentonite–cement mixture

Abstract

The study of collapsible soils that are generally encountered in arid and semi-arid regions remains a major issue for geotechnical engineers. This experimental study, carried out on soils reconstituted in the laboratory, aims firstly to present a method of reducing the collapse potential to an acceptable level by treating them with different levels of bentonite–cement mixture while maintaining the water content and degree of compactness, thus reducing eventual risks for the structures implanted on these soils. Furthermore, a microscopic study using scanning electron microscopy was carried out to explore the microstructure of the soil in order to have an idea of the phenomena before and after treatment. The results show that treatment with a bentonite–cement mixture improves the geotechnical and mechanical characteristics, modifies the chemical composition of the soil, reduces the collapse potential and the consistency limits. The microstructural study and the X-ray energy dispersive spectroscopy analysis clearly illustrate an association of elementary particles in the soil aggregates, whereby the arrangement of these aggregates leads to the formation of a dense and stable material.

Treatment of Collapsible Soils with Granulated Blast Furnace Slag and Calcined Eggshell Waste

“…Therefore, the destruction of intergranular bonds and movement of fine particles or grains leaching become relatively difficult. This can be confirmed by the results of Kinuthia et al, Abbeche et al, Bahloul et al [1,12,27] and Bellili et al [25].…”

“…Another study showed that the additional load and maximum negative skin friction due to the compacting effect of the battered pile, has a negative correlation with the amount of collapse, also the collapsibility rate of loess is affected by natural moisture content and dry density; hence collapse can be improved by an additional loading and a pre-wetting to reduce the harmful effect of the negative friction of the skin on the pile foundations, these results are carried out by Xing et al [24]. Studies evaluate the treatment of this type of soil with a mixture of bentonite and cement [25] or with natural pozzolan and slag mixture [26]. In order to achieve sustainable development, equilibrium must be found between the environmental, economic, social and technological systems and contribute to the maximum growth of these systems.…”

Utilization of Industrial Wastes for Improving Geotechnical Properties of Collapsible Soil

“…The cohesion values increases and the angle of internal friction values decreases. The cohesion increase may be due to the high concentration of the minerals existing in textile sludge such as Aluminum, Calcium, and Magnesium as described before in Table 2, this minerals form a cementation bonds between soil particles, In addition, a decrease in the friction angle can be explained by the growth of the cohesive admixtures [20,21] Also the reduction of maximum dry density has a role in decreasing friction angle and consequently the soil bearing capacity.…”

A Practical Solution for Improving Soil Bases Inproblematic Engineering Conditions

“…Today, world practice uses different methods and ways to eliminate collapsible properties of soils, including compaction, consolidation, and the use of soil cushions [13]. Methods such as onesolution silicification [14], thermal firing [15], and fiber [16] can be used to consolidate collapsible soils. The construction of a ground cushion creates a layer of non-collapsible soil in the foundation base.…”