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Evolution of the anti-weathering characteristics of clay at earthen sites treated with K2SiO3 solutions: Micromechanism analysis based on SEM tests

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Abstract

Earthen sites are historical sites of human cultural activities, bearing rich historical information and cultural connotations. To protect earthen sites more efficiently under arid weathering conditions, an inorganic chemical, i.e. potassium silicate (K2SiO3 or PS), was investigated. Wind erosion tests were conducted to verify the protective effect. To study the evolution mechanism of clay treated with K2SiO3 solutions, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) tests were performed to investigate the microstructure of artificially reshaped clay specimens. Specimens not treated with K2SiO3, specimens treated once with a 5% K2SiO3 solution and specimens treated three times with a 5% K2SiO3 solution were tested. The SEM clay specimen test images were processed with the segmentation technique of the greyscale image value, subarea statistical method and computer image disposal technique. The microfeatures, especially the pores of the clay specimens treated with K2SiO3, were observed and examined. The bonding between clay particles was obviously enhanced by K2SiO3, the micropores were filled to different degrees, and the soil microstructure became more stable. The specimens treated three times with the 5% K2SiO3 solution and naturally dried achieved the best consolidation effect.

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Acknowledgements

The authors want to express their gratitude to the anonymous reviewers for their constructive comments.

Funding

This work was supported by the China Postdoctoral Science Foundation (Grant No. 2020M673617XB), the Open Research Fund of State Key Laboratory of Geomechanics and Geotechnical Engineering, Institute of Rock and Soil Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences (Grant No. Z020019), the Special Foundation for High Level Talents of Xijing University (Grant No. XJ20B12) and the Open Foundation of the Key Laboratory of Failure Mechanism and Safety Control Techniques of Earth-rock Dams of the Ministry of Water Resources (YK321014).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Safety and Durability of Concrete Structures, Xijing University, Xi’an, 710123, China

    Yao Zhang, Shaoqiang Guo & ShunLi Han

  2. State Key Laboratory of Geomechanics and Geotechnical Engineering, Institute of Rock and Soil Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, China

    Yao Zhang & Xiaotao Yin

  3. Institute of Water Resources and Hydroelectric Engineering, Xi’an University of Technology, Xi’an, 710048, China

    Yao Zhang

  4. School of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Xi’an University of Technology, Xi’an, 710048, China

    Shuai Shao

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  1. Yao Zhang
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  2. Shaoqiang Guo
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  3. Xiaotao Yin
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Correspondence to Yao Zhang or Xiaotao Yin.

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Zhang, Y., Guo, S., Yin, X. et al. Evolution of the anti-weathering characteristics of clay at earthen sites treated with K2SiO3 solutions: Micromechanism analysis based on SEM tests. Bull Eng Geol Environ 81, 439 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10064-022-02926-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10064-022-02926-2

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