Here we study the effects of nano clay and polypropylene fiber on the unconfined compression and splitting properties of lime soil. Through a series of unconfined compressive strength (UCS) tests and splitting strength (STS) tests, the mechanical properties of lime soil (LS), nano clay modified lime soil (NLS), fiber modified lime soil (FLS), nano clay and fiber composite modified lime soil (NFLS) are analyzed, and the volume calculation formula of each phase in NFLS is deduced. Nano clay content αn, porosity volume η and lime volume LVi as independent variables, and the prediction models of UCS and STS of NFLS were established. Furthermore, the microstructure of LS, NLS, FLS and NFLS was analyzed by scanning electron microscope (SEM). It can be concluded that (1) with the increase in nano clay content, the UCS and STS of LS and FLS gradually increase. With the increase in fiber content, the UCS of LS first increases and then decreases, while the UCS and STS of NLS and STS of LS increase with the increase in fiber content, and the optimal fiber content is 0.75%. (2) UCS and STS of NFLS and η/LVi meet the linear relationship. The empirical formulas of UCS and STS established in this paper have a prediction accuracy of less than 10%. The strength of NFLS can be predicted according to the dry density of the sample and the content of each component material. (3) Nano clay can fill the pores of LS and promote the pozzolanic reaction between lime and soil, while fiber mainly plays a reinforcing role in LS, so as to improve the UCS and STS of LS. In NFLS, nano clay can improve the interfacial properties between fiber and LS, so as to improve its UCS and STS. This study can provide a reference for the modification technology of lime soil.
14 August 2021 in Environmental Science and Pollution Research
In order to apply the fiber reinforced cement stabilized waste construction slurry more widely, it is crucial to evaluate its mechanical behavior under freeze and thaw (F–T) cycles. The mechanical properties of fiber cement-modified waste construction slurry (FCMS) under five different F–T cycles were studied using unconfined compressive strength tests. One fixed cement sample with five different types of polypropylene fiber was used in the FCMS. Using the meso random damage model, the two-stage damage stress–strain relationship of FCMS was established using particle swarm optimization (PSO). The results were as follows: (1) The mechanical properties of FCMS at room temperature and in an F–T environment were significantly improved by fiber; (2) The elastic modulus of FCMS decreased in the form of a power function with the increase of F–T cycles; (3) The fitting results of the two-stage F–T damage model based on meso random damage theory were in agreement with the measured data.
1 January 2021 in Advances in Materials Science and Engineering
This study investigated the unconfined compressive strength change law of cement modified slurries (CMS) under different curing ages. We conducted unconfined compressive strength tests using slurry and cement as raw materials. The cement contents were 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, and 25%. The curing ages were 7, 14, 28, 56, 90, 120, 150, and 180 d. A time effect model of CMS strength was established based on the measured UCS strength‐curing age and the strength‐cement content curves. The test results proved that the UCS of the CMS increased significantly with an increase in the curing age, and after 90 days, the UCS gradually increased to a fixed value. The time effect model better characterized the relationship between the UCS of the CMS and the curing age and the cement content, as the predicted value had a high correlation with the measured value. We conducted scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X‐ray (EDX), and X‐ray diffraction (XRD) tests to analyze the microstructure and chemical composition of the CMS. The microscopic test results demonstrated that the increase of cement content and curing age increased the amount of gelling substances in the CMS and made the overall structure more compact, thereby increasing its macro strength.