Abstract
One of the approaches in the geotechnical engineering for coping with poor soils is to modify their mechanical characteristics with the aid of soil improvement strategies such as chemical stabilization using cement. On the other hand, a number of recent investigations considered safeguarding environment by using waste and low-cost materials for engineering purposes. Thus, in the present research, the combined effects of two kinds of these materials, i.e., silica fume particles and randomly distributed discrete waste plastic polyethylene terephthalate (PET) fibers, on the engineering characteristics of cement-treated sand are explored. In this regard, a set of laboratory tests including unconfined compression, ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) tests were conducted on various specimens. The cement percentages were 3, 5, and 7%, silica fume percentage was 0.5%, and PET fiber percentages were 0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, and 1% by weight of dry sand with the lengths of 5, 10, and 15 mm. The prepared specimens were cured for 42 days. Based on the obtained results, the addition of PET fibers up to their optimum content and length significantly improves the UCS, UPV, and ductility of specimens. Moreover, relationships between UPV-UCS and E50-Eu (secant modulus-ultrasonic stiffness) of silica fume-cemented sand containing different percentages of PET fibers were proposed. These relationships can be utilized to evaluate the success of reinforcement and stabilization attempts according to the results of non-destructive UPV test. In addition, the findings of microstructural analyses were in full accordance with the results of UPV and unconfined compression tests.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Abdulsalam M, Abdulkarem M, Olumide EE, Hejazi F (2018) Effect of addition of silica fume and oil palm fiber on the engineering properties of compressed earth block. Civil Eng Res J 6(2):57–63. https://doi.org/10.19080/CERJ.2018.06.555684
Afrakoti MTP, Choobbasti AJ, Ghadakpour M, Kutanaei SS (2020) Investigation of the effect of the coal wastes on the mechanical properties of the cement-treated sandy soil. Constr Build Mater 239:117848. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2019.117848
Ahmed A, Ugai K, Kamei T (2011) Investigation of recycled gypsum in conjunction with waste plastic trays for ground improvement. Constr Build Mater 25:208–217. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2010.06.036
Akinyele JO, Igba UT, Adigun BG (2020) Effect of waste PET on the structural properties of burnt bricks. Sci African 7:e00301. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sciaf.2020.e00301
Amhadi TS, Assaf GJ (2020) Strength and permeability potentials of cement-modified desert sand for roads construction purpose. Innov Infrastruct Solut. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41062-020-00327-6
Amini Y, Hamidi A, Asghari E (2014) Shear strength-dilation characteristics of cemented sand-gravel mixtures. Int J Geotech Eng 8(4):406–413. https://doi.org/10.1179/1939787913Y.0000000026
ASTM C597 (2016) Standard test method for pulse velocity through concrete. ASTM International: West Conshohocken, PA
ASTM D698 (2012) Standard test methods for laboratory compaction characteristics of soil using standard effort (12400 ft-lbf/ft3 (600 kN-m/m3)). ASTM International: West Conshohocken, PA
ASTM D854 (2014) Standard test methods for specific gravity of soil solids by water pycnometer. ASTM International: West Conshohocken, PA
ASTM D2166 (2016) Standard test method for unconfined compressive strength of cohesive soil. ASTM International: West Conshohocken, PA
ASTM D2487 (2017) Standard practice for classification of soils for engineering purposes (Unified Soil Classification System). ASTM International: West Conshohocken, PA
ASTM D4972 (2019) Standard test methods for pH of soils. ASTM International: West Conshohocken, PA
Ateş A (2016) Mechanical properties of sandy soils reinforced with cement and randomly distributed glass fibers (GRC). Compos Part B 96:295–304. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compositesb.2016.04.049
Babaie R, Abolfazli M, Fahimifar A (2019) Mechanical properties of steel and polymer fiber reinforced concrete. J Mech Behav Mater 28(1):119–134. https://doi.org/10.1515/jmbm-2019-0014
Bahmani SH, Farzadnia N, Asadi A, Huat BB (2016) The effect of size and replacement content of nanosilica on strength development of cement treated residual soil. Constr Build Mater 118:294–306. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2016.05.075
Biswal DR, Sahoo UC, Dash SR (2020) Non-destructive strength and stiffness evaluation of cement-stabilised granular lateritic soils. Road Mater Pavement Des 21(3):835–849. https://doi.org/10.1080/14680629.2018.1511458
Botero E, Ossa A, Sherwell G, Ovando-Shelley E (2015) Stress–strain behavior of a silty soil reinforced with polyethylene terephthalate (PET). Geotext Geomembr 43:363–369. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geotexmem.2015.04.003
Campos HF, Klein NS, Marques Filho J (2020) Comparison of the silica fume content for high-strength concrete production: chemical analysis of the pozzolanic reaction and physical behavior by particle packing. Mat Res 23(5):e20200285. https://doi.org/10.1590/1980-5373-mr-2020-0285
Choobbasti AJ, Farrokhzad F, Nadimi A, Kutanaei SS (2019a) Effects of copper sludge on cemented clay using ultrasonic pulse velocity. J Adhes Sci Technol 33(4):433–444. https://doi.org/10.1080/01694243.2018.1471842
Choobbasti AJ, Kutanaei SS (2017) Effect of fiber reinforcement on deformability properties of cemented sand. J Adhes Sci Technol 31(14):1576–1590. https://doi.org/10.1080/01694243.2016.1264681
Choobbasti AJ, Samakoosh MA, Kutanaei SS (2019b) Mechanical properties soil stabilized with nano calcium carbonate and reinforced with carpet waste fibers. Constr Build Mater 211:1094–1104. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2019.03.306
Cuisinier O, Le Borgne T, Deneele D, Masrouri F (2011) Quantification of the effects of nitrates, phosphates and chlorides on soil stabilization with lime and cement. Eng Geol 117(3–4):229–235. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enggeo.2010.11.002
Dehghan A, Hamidi A (2016) Triaxial shear behavior of sand-gravel mixtures reinforced with cement and fiber. Int J Geotech Eng 10(5):510–520. https://doi.org/10.1080/19386362.2016.1175217
Deng Y, Yue X, Liu S, Chen Y, Zhang D (2015) Hydraulic conductivity of cementstabilized marine clay with metakaolin and its correlation with pore size distribution. Eng Geol 193:146–152. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enggeo.2015.04.018
Diambra A, Russell AR, Ibraim E, Muir Wood D (2007) Determination of fibre orientation distribution in reinforced sands. Géotechnique 57:623–628. https://doi.org/10.1680/geot.2007.57.7.623
Divya PV, Viswanadham BVS, Gourc JP (2014) Evaluation of tensile strength-strain characteristics of fiber-reinforced soil through laboratory tests. J Mater Civ Eng 26(1):14–23. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)MT.1943-5533.0000772
Donnini J, Lancioni G, Chiappini G, Corinaldesi V (2021) Uniaxial tensile behavior of ultra-high performance fiber-reinforced concrete (uhpfrc): experiments and modeling. Compos Struct 258:113433. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compstruct.2020.113433
Du J, Zheng G, Liu B, Jiang N, Hu J (2021) Triaxial behavior of cement-stabilized organic matter–disseminated sand. Acta Geotech 16:211–220. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11440-020-00992-y
EsmaeilpourShirvani N, TaghaviGhalesari A, Khaleghnejad Tabari M, Choobbasti AJ (2019) Improvement of the engineering behavior of sand-clay mixtures using kenaf fiber reinforcement. Transp Geotech 19:1–8. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trgeo.2019.01.004
Fakhrabadi A, Ghadakpour M, Choobbasti AJ, Kutanaei SS (2021) Evaluating the durability, microstructure and mechanical properties of a clayey-sandy soil stabilized with copper slag-based geopolymer against wetting-drying cycles. Bull Eng Geol Environ. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10064-021-02228-z
Falorca IMCFG, Pinto MIM (2011) Effect of short, randomly distributed polypropylene microfibres on shear strength behaviour of soils. Geosynths Int 18:2–11. https://doi.org/10.1680/gein.2011.18.1.2
Farzadnia N, Abang Ali AA, Demirboga R, Anwar MP (2013) Characterization of high strength mortars with nano Titania at elevated temperatures. Constr Build Mater 43:469–479. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2013.02.044
Ghadakpour M, Choobbasti AJ, Kutanaei SS (2019) Investigation of the deformability properties of fiber reinforced cemented sand. J Adhes Sci Technol 33:1913–1938. https://doi.org/10.1080/01694243.2019.1619224
Ghadakpour M, Choobbasti AJ, Kutanaei SS (2020) Investigation of the Kenaf fiber hybrid length on the properties of the cement-treated sandy soil. Transport Geotech 22:100301. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trgeo.2019.100301
Goodarzi AR, Akbari HR, Salimi M (2016) Enhanced stabilization of highly expansive clays by mixing cement and silica fume. Appl Clay Sci 132–133:675–684. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clay.2016.08.023
Hamidi A, Hooresfand M (2013) Effect of fiber reinforcement on triaxial shear behavior of cement treated sand. Geotext Geomembr 36:1–9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geotexmem.2012.10.005
Hasanzadeh A, Shooshpasha I (2019) Effects of silica fume on cemented sand using ultrasonic pulse velocity. J Adhes Sci Tech 33(11):1184–1200. https://doi.org/10.1080/01694243.2019.1582890
Hasanzadeh A, Shooshpasha I (2020) Influence of silica fume on the geotechnical characteristics of cemented sand. Geotech Geol Eng 38:6295–6312. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10706-020-01436-w
Ibraim E, Diambra A, Russell AR, Muir Wood D (2012) Assessment of laboratory sample preparation for fibre reinforced sands. Geotext Geomembr 34:69–79. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geotexmem.2012.03.002
Ishihara K (1996) Soil behaviour in earthquake geotechnics. Clarendon Press, Oxford
Jalali J, Noorzad R (2021) Discrete fiber reinforcement efficiency in the mechanical properties and wet-dry performance of fat clay treated with industrial sewage sludge ash. Constr Build Mater 284:122739. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2021.122739
Jiang N, Wang C, Wang Z, Li B, Liu Y (2021) Strength characteristics and microstructure of cement stabilized soft soil admixed with silica fume. Mater 14:1929. https://doi.org/10.3390/ma14081929
Jumassultan A, Sagidullina N, Kim J, Ku T, Moon S (2021) Performance of cement-stabilized sand subjected to freeze-thaw cycles. Geomech Eng 25(1). https://doi.org/10.12989/gae.2021.25.1.000
Kang SH, Hong SG, Moon J (2020) Performance comparison between densified and undensified silica fume in ultra-high performance fiber-reinforced concrete. Mater (basel) 13(17):3901. https://doi.org/10.3390/ma13173901
Khebizi W, Della N, Denine S, Canou J, Dupla JC (2019) Undrained behaviour of polypropylene fibre reinforced sandy soil under monotonic loading. Geomech Geoeng 14:1–11. https://doi.org/10.1080/17486025.2018.1508855
Kim JJ, Park C, Lee S, Lee S, Won J (2008) Effects of the geometry of recycled PET fiber reinforcement on shrinkage cracking of cement-based composites. Compos Part B Eng 39(3):442–450. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compositesb.2007.05.001
Koutenaei RY, Choobbasti AJ, Kutanaei SS (2019) Triaxial behaviour of a cemented sand reinforced with Kenaf fibres. Eur J Environ Civ Eng. https://doi.org/10.1080/19648189.2019.1574607
Kumar A, Gupta D (2016) Behavior of cement-stabilized fiber-reinforced pond ash, rice husk ash–soil mixtures. Geotext Geomembr 44:466–474. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geotexmem.2015.07.010
Kuo WT, Shu CY (2015) Effect of particle size and curing temperature on expansion reaction in electric arc furnace oxidizing slag aggregate concrete. Constr Build Mater 94:488–493. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2015.07.019
Lothenbach B, Rentsch D, Wieland E (2014) Hydration of a silica fume blended low-alkali shotcrete cement. Phys Chem Earth 70–71:3–16. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pce.2013.09.007
Louzada NSL, Malko JAC, Casagrande MDT (2019) Behavior of clayey soil reinforced with polyethylene terephthalate. J Mater Civ Eng 31(10):04019218. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)MT.1943-5533.0002863
Lv X, Yang X, Zhou H, Zhang S (2019) Mechanical behavior of cemented sand reinforced with different polymer fibers. Adv Mater Sci Eng 2019:1–10. https://doi.org/10.1155/2019/8649619
Malidarreh N, Shooshpasha I, Mirhosseini S, Dehestani M (2020) Effects of recycled polyethylene terephthalate fibers on strength behavior of cemented Babolsar sand. Sci Iran 27(3):1130–1143. https://doi.org/10.24200/sci.2018.5468.1295
Mandal T, Tinjum JM, Edil TB (2016) Non-destructive testing of cementitiously stabilized materials using ultrasonic pulse velocity test. Transport Geotech 6:97–107. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trgeo.2015.09.003
Mariri M, Moayed R, Kordnaeij A (2019) Stress–strain behavior of loess soil stabilized with cement, zeolite, and recycled polyester fiber. J Mater Civ Eng 31(12):04019291. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)MT.1943-5533.0002952
Menger ED, Benetti M, Festugato L, Ibeiro LD, Luza R (2020) Hydraulic conductivity and compressive strength of cemented soils. Geotech Geol Eng 38:6031–6039. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10706-020-01411-5
Moon S, Vinoth G, Subramanian S, Kim J, Ku T (2020) Effect of fine particles on strength and stiffness of cement treated sand. Granul Matter. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10035-019-0975-6
Mousavi SE (2018) Utilization of silica fume to maximize the filler and pozzolanic effects of stabilized soil with cement. Geotech Geol Eng 36:77–87. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10706-017-0305-x
Muller ACA, Scrivener KL, Skibsted J, Gajewiczc AM, McDonald PJ (2015) Influence of silica fume on the microstructure of cement pastes: new insights from 1H NMR relaxometry. Cem Concr Res 74:116–125. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconres.2015.04.005
Noorzad R, Zarinkolaei STG (2015) Comparison of mechanical properties of fiber-reinforced sand under triaxial compression and direct shear. Open Geosci 7:547–558. https://doi.org/10.1515/geo-2015-0041
Saride S, Puppala AJ, Chikyala SR (2013) Swell-shrink and strength behaviors of lime and cement stabilized expansive organic clays. Appl Clay Sci 85:39–45. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clay.2013.09.008
Saygili A, Dayan M (2019) Freeze-thaw behavior of lime stabilized clay reinforced with silica fume and synthetic fibers. Cold Reg Sci Technol 161:107–114. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.coldregions.2019.03.010
Shaikh FUA (2020) Tensile and flexural behaviour of recycled polyethylene terephthalate (PET) fibre reinforced geopolymer composites. Constr Build Mater 245:118438. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2020.118438
Shalabi FI, Mazher J, Khan K, Alsuliman M, Almustafa I, Mahmoud W, Alomran N (2019) Cement-stabilized waste sand as sustainable construction materials for foundations and highway roads. Mater 12(4):600–615. https://doi.org/10.3390/ma12040600
Shooshpasha I, Hasanzadeh A, Kharun M (2020) Effect of silica fume on the ultrasonic pulse velocity of cemented sand. J Phys Conf Ser 1687:012017. https://doi.org/10.1088/1742-6596/1687/1/012017
Tang C, Wang D, Cui Y, Shi B, Li J (2016) Tensile strength of fiber-reinforced soil. J Mater Civ Eng 28(7):04016031–04016041. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)MT.1943-5533.0001546
Tiwari N, Satyam N, Patva J (2020) Engineering characteristics and performance of polypropylene fibre and silica fume treated expansive soil subgrade. Int J Geosynth Ground Eng 6:18. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40891-020-00199-x
Verástegui-Flores RD, Di Emidio G (2014) Impact of sulfate attack on mechanical properties and hydraulic conductivity of a cement-admixed clay. Appl Clay Sci 101:490–496. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clay.2014.09.012
Vinoth G, Moon S, Moon J, Ku T (2018) Early strength development in cement-treated sand using low-carbon rapid-hardening cements. Soils Found 58(5):1200–1211. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sandf.2018.07.001
Vranna A, Tika T (2020) Undrained monotonic and cyclic response of weakly cemented sand. J Geotech Geoenviron Eng 146(5):04020018. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)GT.1943-5606.0002246
Wei X, Ku T (2020) New design chart for geotechnical ground improvement: characterizing cement-stabilized sand. Acta Geotech 15:999–1011. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11440-019-00838-2
Yang Q, Du C, Zhang J, Yang G (2020) Influence of silica fume and additives on unconfined compressive strength of cement-stabilized marine soft clay. J Mater Civ Eng 32(2):04019346. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)MT.1943-5533.0003010
Yao X, Huang G, Wang M, Dong X (2021) Mechanical properties and microstructure of PVA fiber reinforced cemented soil. KSCE J Civ Eng 25:482–491. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12205-020-0998-x
Zhang Z, Zhang B, Yan P (2016) Comparative study of effect of raw and densified silica fume in the paste, mortar and concrete. Constr Build Mater 105:82–93. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2015.12.045
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Hasanzadeh, A., Shooshpasha, I. Influences of silica fume particles and polyethylene terephthalate fibers on the mechanical characteristics of cement-treated sandy soil using ultrasonic pulse velocity. Bull Eng Geol Environ 81, 14 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10064-021-02494-x
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10064-021-02494-x