Investigating the engineering behavior of marl soils under the influence of thermal regimes and different pHs from a microstructural perspective

Document Type : Research Article

Authors

Faculty of Civil Engineering, University of Hormozgan, Hormozgan, Iran

Abstract

Proximity of soil with pollution caused by landfills changes its pH. On the other hand, due to the heat generation potential of high-level waste, the used clay coating is exposed to different thermal regimes, which leads to changes in its physical, mechanical, and microstructural characteristics. Based on this, This article aims to investigate the simultaneous effect of pH changes and thermal regimes in high-level waste disposal centers. In this study, the combined effect of pH and temperature on the behavior of marl soil was evaluated using unconfined compressive strength tests, weight loss, and Atterberg limits, determination of carbonate amount by titration, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscope (SEM) images. For this purpose, hydrochloric acid (HCl) and sodium hydroxide (NaOH) solutions have been used to change the pH. After the pH of the marl soil was fixed at 4, 6, 8.3, 11, and 13, the samples were dried in the oven, then exposed to the thermal levels of 25, 100, 300, 500, 700, and 900 degrees Celsius for 2 hours. One of the most important results of this research is the removal of carbonate in acidic conditions and prominent changes in the engineering characteristics of marl soil in the thermal range of 500 ℃ to 900 ℃. Palygorskite mineral is destroyed in the stable acidic and alkaline environment at 700 ℃ with the occurrence of dihydroxylation. On the other hand, the removal of carbonate in an acidic environment has led to an increase in plasticity properties and a change in the classification of marl soil. As the pH decreases and the temperature increases, the compressive strength increases.

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References

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Amirkabir Journal of Civil Engineering
Volume 56, Issue 3
2024
Pages 279-300

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