Document Type : Research Article
Authors
1
Department of Civil Eng., College of Eng., Arak Branch, Islamic Azad University, Arak, Iran
2
2Department of Civil Engineering, College of Engineering, Hamedan Branch, Islamic Azad University, Hamedan, Iran
3
Assistant Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, Arak Branch, Islamic Azad University, Arak, Iran
Abstract
In the present study, the effectiveness of a new combination of industrial wastes including calcium carbide residue (CCR) and silica-fume (SF) along with polypropylene fiber was investigated in comparison with cement for improving soft clays and increasing their durability. The results showed that the use of CCR alone has a little effect on the soil geo-mechanical performance. On the other hand, despite the initial favorable performance of cement, but the W-D cycle with the failure of cement nanostructures can lead to the disturbance and even complete loss of the bearing capacity. On the contrast, the CCR-SF had a prominent role on the stabilization process. According to SEM-EDX and XRD analysis, expansion of solidification and reduction of voids were evaluated as the main factors of the more appropriate response of the recent system. Adding fiber to those samples had a significant effect on the growth of tensile strength, better absorption of energy, reduction of cracking ability and, as a result, improving the soil stability. Following such a condition, the strength of reinforced sample containing 15% additive was found to be about 1.8 times the threshold allowed for successful stabilization. This can be attributed to the synergism of CCR-SF+fibers in improving the particles conjunction and reducing the access of voids for soil-water interaction. Based on the obtained results, the use of optimal combination of CCR-SF with fiber can be recommended as a low cost, environmentally friendly and efficient option in improving the behavior of problematic soils and reducing their post-failure potential.
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