Effect of Ultrasonic Energy and Multiwall Carbon-nanotube on the Shear Strength of Problematic Soils

Document Type : Research Article

Authors

Department of Civil Engineering, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, Iran

Abstract

Problematic soils are those that make the construction of foundations extremely difficult. These soil should be replaced or modified. These types of soils are problematic, such as swelling soil, dispersive soil and the soils that loss their strength at saturated conditions. As silty soil and quicksands have low strength at saturated condition, it seems that stabilization of these soils is necessary. In literature, stabilizing these soils by cement is more effective. On the other hand, by developments in nanotechnology within last three decades, researchers discovered a material with unique properties, named as carbon nanotube. The carbon nanotube has very high strength even higher than steel, high elastic module and toughness and other unique properties. Within last three decades, many studies are concerned in applying this material in cement composites, but only we can find a few works related to use of this material in soil stabilization. Since carbon nanotube attract each other, we should separate nanotube particles. In this study, different values of ultrasonic energy (as mechanical agent) and polycarboxilate based super plasticizer solution (as chemical agent) was used to overcome carbon nanotubes agglomeration problem. As it is not possible to use carbon nanotubes in dry state, to investigating the effect of carbon nanotubes on the soils, the aqueous solution of carbon nanotube was added to the soil, using wet mix method. The samples were cured in water for 7 days. After performing direct shear test the shear strength and its parameters were evaluated. The results show using 0.125 % carbon nanotube and applying different ultrasonic energy to the carbon nanotubes solution the highest benefit of ultrasonic energy achieved when it used as 500j/ml. Comparing to the samples that threated by defective ultrasonic energy, it is observed that the shear strength of silty and sandy soil was improved as 19.7% and 21%, respectively.

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Main Subjects

References

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Amirkabir Journal of Civil Engineering
Volume 50, Issue 3
September and October 2018
Pages 485-498

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