Experimental Study of the Physico-Chemical Stabilization of a Loess by Sodium Silicate: Case of Southern Algeria

This study focuses on collapsible soil from hyper-arid regions in the south of Algeria (Zeribet El Oued, Biskra). A physical characterization of the studied soil was performed which revealed that the soil samples are loess. After this, an experimental study was done on the influence of the sodium silicate solution (Na₂SiO₃) at different doses on the collapse potential (CP) and the microstructure of the material. The microstructure investigation was made through a scanning electron microscope (SEM) observation.The main results of this study show that the treatment of collapsible soil with sodium silicate has led to a significant reduction of the collapse potential, exceeding 87%. An effective treatment is obtained with a sodium silicate solution at the optimal dose of 0.8 mol.L⁻¹. The SEM observations have revealed micro-structural transformations which are correlated to changes to geotechnical behavior.