<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">

<p>Improvement of the mechanical properties of clayey soils by additional elements to enhance the strength under numerous freezing and thawing cycles has been considered as a serious concern for engineering applications in cold regions. The objective of the current study is to investigate the effect of nano-clay as a stabiliser on the mechanical properties of clay. To this end, the clay specimens were prepared by adding various percentages of nano-clay ranging from 0.5% to 3% by dry weight of soil and were experimentally tested under the uniaxial compression and tensile splitting tests under different curing times (0, 7 and 28 days) after experiencing various freeze–thaw cycles ranging from 0 to 11. It can be concluded from the results that nano-clay particles may be used as a stabiliser in geotechnical applications to improve soil property. The results indicate that the optimum moisture content (OMC) of specimens increases and the maximum dry density (MDD) decreases with the increasing nano-clay content. The specimens containing about 1% nano-clay recorded maximum values of unconfined compressive strength (UCS) as well as tensile strength. For example, the addition 1% nano-clay increased the UCS and tensile values of clay specimens under the curing time of 28 days by 34% and 247%, respectively. In addition, the long-term durability of specimens against freeze–thaw cycles increases further with the addition of nano-clay content ranging from 2% to 3%.</p>
</abstract>

Improvement of the mechanical properties of clayey soils by additional elements to enhance the strength under numerous freezing and thawing cycles has been considered as a serious concern for engineering applications in cold regions. The objective of the current study is to investigate the effect of nano-clay as a stabiliser on the mechanical properties of clay. To this end, the clay specimens were prepared by adding various percentages of nano-clay ranging from 0.5% to 3% by dry weight of soil and were experimentally tested under the uniaxial compression and tensile splitting tests under different curing times (0, 7 and 28 days) after experiencing various freeze–thaw cycles ranging from 0 to 11. It can be concluded from the results that nano-clay particles may be used as a stabiliser in geotechnical applications to improve soil property. The results indicate that the optimum moisture content (OMC) of specimens increases and the maximum dry density (MDD) decreases with the increasing nano-clay content. The specimens containing about 1% nano-clay recorded maximum values of unconfined compressive strength (UCS) as well as tensile strength. For example, the addition 1% nano-clay increased the UCS and tensile values of clay specimens under the curing time of 28 days by 34% and 247%, respectively. In addition, the long-term durability of specimens against freeze–thaw cycles increases further with the addition of nano-clay content ranging from 2% to 3%.

Compressive and Tensile Strength of Nano-clay Stabilised Soil Subjected to Repeated Freeze–Thaw Cycles

Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering

Department of Civil Engineering, Qazvin Branch

Department of Civil Engineering, Najafabad Branch

Studia Geotechnica et Mechanica

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Improvement of the mechanical properties of clayey soils by additional elements to enhance the strength under numerous freezing and thawing cycles has been...

Compressive and Tensile Strength of Nano-clay Stabilised Soil Subjected to Repeated Freeze–Thaw Cycles

Article Category: Original Study

Published Online: Sep 01, 2023

Page range: 221 - 230

Received: Oct 22, 2022

Accepted: May 13, 2023

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/sgem-2023-0009

Keywords
Nano-clay, Compressive Strength, Tensile Strength, Freeze–Thaw Cycles

© 2023 Mahya Roustaei et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Compressive and Tensile Strength of Nano-clay Stabilised Soil Subjected to Repeated Freeze–Thaw Cycles

Article Category: Original Study

Published Online: Sep 01, 2023

Page range: 221 - 230

Received: Oct 22, 2022

Accepted: May 13, 2023

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/sgem-2023-0009

KeywordsNano-clay, Compressive Strength, Tensile Strength, Freeze–Thaw Cycles

© 2023 Mahya Roustaei et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Keywords
Nano-clay, Compressive Strength, Tensile Strength, Freeze–Thaw Cycles