Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

A predictive model based on the experimental investigation of collapsible soil treatment using nano-clay in the Sivand Dam region, Iran

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Bulletin of Engineering Geology and the Environment Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

As a kind of problematic soil, collapsible soils can withstand relatively high stress in an unsaturated state. Still, upon wetting and being saturated, such soils show a significant sudden reduction in volume, causing damage to the structures. One of the environmentally friendly materials used to treat collapsible soils is the nano-clay as potential stabilizers. The present study investigates the nano-clay effect on the soil collapse treatment in the Sivand region, Fars Province, Iran. Further research proved to achieve fine dispersion of added nano-clay between the soil particles appropriately through the wet mixing method. To investigate effective soil collapse behavior parameters, 72 reconstructed samples with different water content, dry density, applied vertical stress, and nano-clay contents are tested using the static compaction method. The results indicate that soil collapse behavior is almost completely fixed using only 5% nano-clay. It has also been concluded that the collapse potential increases with reducing water content, dry density, nano-clay contents, while it has an increase if applied vertical stress increases. The extracted test results are used as a database to develop an efficient model to predict the soils’ collapse potential. Additionally, the parametric and sensitivity analyses confirm the model output with the test results.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11
Fig. 12
Fig. 13
Fig. 14
Fig. 15
Fig. 16
Fig. 17
Fig. 18
Fig. 19
Fig. 20
Fig. 21
Fig. 22
Fig. 23
Fig. 24
Fig. 25
Fig. 26
Fig. 27
Fig. 28
Fig. 29
Fig. 30
Fig. 31
Fig. 32
Fig. 33
Fig. 34
Fig. 35
Fig. 36
Fig. 37
Fig. 38
Fig. 39
Fig. 40
Fig. 41
Fig. 42
Fig. 43
Fig. 44

Similar content being viewed by others

Abbreviations

PI:

Plastic index

ωc:

Water content

ωc,opt :

Optimum water content

ωNc:

Nano-clay moisture

Dp:

Nano-clay’s particle diameter

ρNc:

Nano-clay’s density

Gs:

Specific gravity

ρmax:

Maximum dry density

ρd:

Dry density

e:

Void ratio

V:

Specific volume

SSA:

Specific surface area

PH:

Potential of hydrogen

κ:

Electric conductivity

σv:

Applied vertical stress

NCC:

Nano-clay content

Ie:

Collapse index

Ic:

Collapse potential

SEM:

Scanning electron microscopy

XRD:

X-ray diffraction analysis

Fe2O3:

Ferric oxide

TiO2:

Titanium dioxide

CaO:

Calcium oxide

K2O:

Potassium oxide

SiO2:

Silicon dioxide

Al2O3:

Aluminum oxide

MgO:

Magnesium oxide

Na2O:

Sodium oxide

LiO:

Lithium oxide

References

  • Abbasi N, Farjad A, Sepehri S (2018) The use of nanoclay particles for stabilization of dispersive clayey soils. Geotech Geol Eng 36:327–335

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Abd El Aal AK, Rouaiguia A (2020) Determination of the geotechnical parameters of soils behavior for safe future urban development Najran Area Saudi Arabia: implications for settlements mitigation. Geotech Geol Eng 38:695–712

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Alani S, Hassan MS, Jaber AA, Ali IM (2020) Effects of elevated temperatures on strength and microstructure of mortar containing nano-calcined montmorillonite clay. Constr Build Mater 263:120895

  • Alawaji H (2001) Settlement and bearing capacity of geogrid-reinforced sand over collapsible soil. Geotext Geomembr 19:75–88

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Alsafi S, Farzadnia N, Asadi A, Huat BK (2017) Collapsibility potential of gypseous soil stabilized with fly ash geopolymer characterization and assessment. Constr Build Mater 137:390–409

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • ASTMD854–14 (2014) Standard test methods for specific gravity of soil solids by water pycnometer. ASTM International, West Conshohocken

  • ASTMD1557–12e1 (2012) Standard test methods for laboratory compaction characteristics of soil using modified effort (56,000 ft-lbf/ft3 (2,700 kN-m/m3)). ASTM International, West Conshohocken

  • ASTMD2419–14 (2014) Standard test method for sand equivalent value of soils and fine aggregate. ASTM International, West Conshohocken

  • ASTMD2435/D2435M-11(2020) (2020) Standard test methods for one-dimensional consolidation properties of soils using incremental loading. ASTM International, West Conshohocken

  • ASTMD2487–11 (2011) Standard practice for classification of soils for engineering purposes (unified soil classification system). ASTM International, West Conshohocken

  • ASTMD4318 (2017) Standard test methods for liquid limit, plastic limit, and plasticity index of soils. ASTM International, West Conshohocken

  • ASTMD5333-03 2012 Standard test method for measurement of collapse potential of soils (Withdrawn 2012) ASTM International, West Conshohocken https://doi.org/10.1520/D5333-03

  • Barden L, McGown A, Collins K (1973) The collapse mechanism in partly saturated soil. Eng Geol 7:49–60

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Basma AA, Tuncer ER (1992) Evaluation and control of collapsible soils. J Geotech Eng 118:1491–1504

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Baziar MH, Saeidaskari J, Alibolandi M (2018) Effects of nanoclay on the treatment of core material in earth dams. J Mater Civ Eng 30:04018250

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bell F (1993) Engineering treatment of soils. CRC Press, Florida

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Cao, G. (2004). Nanostructures & nanomaterials: synthesis, properties & applications, Imperial college press.

  • Clevenger WA (1959) Experiences with loess as a foundation material. T Am Soc Civ Eng 123:51–80

    Google Scholar 

  • Coo JL, So ZP, Ng CW (2016) Effect of nanoparticles on the shrinkage properties of clay. Eng Geol 213:84–88

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • D698–12e2 A (2012) Standard test methods for laboratory compaction characteristics of soil using standard effort (12 400 ft-lbf/ft3 (600 kN-m/m3)). ASTM International, West Conshohocken

  • Das BM (2015) Principles of foundation engineering. Cengage learning, Boston

    Google Scholar 

  • Das BM, Sobhan K (2013) Principles of geotechnical engineering. Cengage learning, Boston

    Google Scholar 

  • Derbyshire E (2001) Geological hazards in loess terrain with particular reference to the loess regions of China. Earth-Sci Rev 54:231–260

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dudley, J. H. (1970). "Review of collapsing soils." J soil mech found div 96(3): 925-947.

  • El-Sohby M, Shook M, Elleboudy A (1987) Swelling and shear strength characteristics of Mokattan shale. In: Proc 9th Regional Conference for Africa on Soil Mechanics and Foundation Engineering, Lagos, Nigeria, pp 143–146

  • Evans G, Bell D (1981) Chemical stabilization of loess, New Zealand. In: Proceedings of the 10th International Conference on Soil Mechanics and Foundation Engineering. pp 649–658

  • Evstatiev D (1988) Loess improvement methods. Eng Geol 25:341–366

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Feda, J. (1966). "Structural stability of subsident loess soil from Praha-Dejvice." Eng Geol 1(3): 201-219.

  • Ferreira C (2003) Function finding and the creation of numerical constants in gene expression programming. In: Advances in soft computing, Springer, pp 257–265

  • Ferreira C (2006) Gene expression programming: mathematical modeling by an artificial intelligence, vol 21. Springer

    Google Scholar 

  • Garakani AA, Haeri SM, Khosravi A, Habibagahi G (2015) Hydro-mechanical behavior of undisturbed collapsible loessial soils under different stress state conditions. Eng Geol 195:28–41

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • German RM (1994) Powder metallurgy science Metal Powder Industries Federation. Princeton, New Jersey

  • Ghasabkolaei N, Choobbasti AJ, Roshan N, Ghasemi SE (2017) Geotechnical properties of the soils modified with nanomaterials: a comprehensive review. Arch Civ Mech Eng 17:639–650

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ghazi H, Baziar M, Mirkazemi S (2011) The effects of nano-material additives on the basic properties of soil. In: Proc of 14th Asian Regional Conference on Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering, Hong-Kong, pp 23–27

  • Gibbs HJ, Bara JP (1967) Stability problems of collapsing soil. J Soil Mech Found Div 93:577–594

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Haeri SM, Khosravi A, Garakani AA, Ghazizadeh S (2017) Effect of soil structure and disturbance on hydromechanical behavior of collapsible loessial soils. Int J Geomech 17:04016021

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hanna A, Soliman S (2017) Experimental investigation of foundation on collapsible soils. J Geotech Geoenviron Eng 143:04017085

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Holt W (1961) Settlement of soil foundation due to saturation. In: Proc of the 5th Int Conf on SMFE, pp 673–679

  • Hosseini A, Haeri SM, Mahvelati S, Fathi A (2019) Feasibility of using electrokinetics and nanomaterials to stabilize and improve collapsible soils. J Rock Mech Geotech Eng 11:1055–1065

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Huang Y, Wen Z, Wang L, Zhu C (2019) Centrifuge testing of liquefaction mitigation effectiveness on sand foundations treated with nanoparticles. Eng Geol 249:249–256

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Iranpour B (2016) The influence of nanomaterials on collapsible soil treatment. Eng Geol 205:40–53

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jefferson I, Rogers CD (2012) Collapsible Soils ICE Manual of Geotechnical Engineering 1:391–411

    Google Scholar 

  • Jing Y, Jia Z, Zhang Z, Lv Y, Wang L, Tao C (2019) Study on the method for determination of the maximum depth of loess collapsible under overburden pressure. Bull Eng Geol Environ 1–13

  • Johari A, Golkarfard H (2018) Reliability analysis of unsaturated soil sites based on fundamental period throughout Shiraz Iran. Soil Dyn Earthq Eng 115:183–197

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Johari, A., G. Habibagahi and A. Ghahramani (2006). "Prediction of soil–water characteristic curve using genetic programming." J Geotech Geoenviron Eng 132(5): 661-665.

  • Johari A, Habibagahi G, Nakhaee M (2013) Prediction of unsaturated soils effective stress parameter using gene expression programming. Sci Iran 20:1433–1444

    Google Scholar 

  • Johari A, Nejad AH (2015) Prediction of soil-water characteristic curve using gene expression programming. Iran J Sci Technol Trans Civ Eng 39:143

    Google Scholar 

  • Johari A, Talebi A, Heydari A (2020) Prediction of discharge flow rate beneath sheet piles using gene expression programming based on scaled boundary finite element modelling database. Sci Iran 28:645–655

    Google Scholar 

  • Knight K (1961) The collapse of structure of sandy subsoils on wetting. University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg

    Google Scholar 

  • Krishnan J, Shukla S (2019) The behaviour of soil stabilised with nanoparticles: an extensive review of the present status and its applications. Arab J Geosci 12:436

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lemieux M, Léonard G, Doucet J, Leclaire LA, Viens F, Chaouki J, Bertrand F (2008) Large-scale numerical investigation of solids mixing in a V-blender using the discrete element method. Powder Technol 181:205–216

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lin, Z. and S. Wang (1988). "Collapsibility and deformation characteristics of deep-seated loess in China." Eng Geol 25(2-4): 271-282.

  • Lutenegger AJ, Saber RT (1988) Determination of collapse potential of soils. Geotech Test J 11:173–178

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lutenegger, A. J. a. H., G. R. (1988). "Stability of Loess,” Eng Geol."  25(2): 247-261.

  • Lv Q, Chang C, Zhao B, Ma B (2018) Loess soil stabilization by means of SiO 2 nanoparticles. Soil Mech Found Eng 54:409–413

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Miller H, Djerbib Y, Jefferson I, Smalley I (2002) Modelling the collapse of metastable loess soils. Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham

    Google Scholar 

  • Mollahasani, A., A. H. Alavi and A. H. Gandomi (2011). "Empirical modeling of plate load test moduli of soil via gene expression programming." Comput Geotech 38(2): 281-286.

  • NRC (2006). Geological and geotechnical engineering in the new millennium: opportunities for research and technological innovation, National Academies Press.

  • Pengelly AD, Boehm DW, Rector E, Welsh JP (1997) Engineering experience with in-situ modification of collapsible and expansive soils. In: Unsaturated Soil Engineering Practice, ASCE, pp 277–298

  • Rogers C (1995) Types and distribution of collapsible soils. In: Genesis and properties of collapsible soils, Springer, pp 1–17

  • Rollins KM, Kim J (2010) Dynamic compaction of collapsible soils based on US case histories. J Geotech Geoenviron Eng 136:1178–1186

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rollins KM, Rogers GW (1994) Mitigation measures for small structures on collapsible alluvial soils. J Geotech Eng 120:1533–1553

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Santos EC, Palmeira EM, Bathurst RJ (2013) Behaviour of a geogrid reinforced wall built with recycled construction and demolition waste backfill on a collapsible foundation. Geotext Geomembr 39:9–19

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sarli JM, Hadadi F, Bagheri RA (2020) Stabilizing geotechnical properties of loess soil by mixing recycled polyester fiber and nano-SiO 2. Geotech Geol Eng 38:1151–1163

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Singhai SK, Chopra V, Nagar M, Jain N, Trivedi P (2010) Scale up factor determination of V blender: an overview. Der Pharmacia Lett 2:408–433

    Google Scholar 

  • Smalley I, Ng’ambi S, (2019) Problems with collapsible soils: particle types and inter-particle bonding. Open Geosci 11:829–836

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Swain AKP, Roy GK (2011) Mechanical operations. McGraw-Hill Education, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Tabarsa A, Latifi N, Meehan CL, Manahiloh KN (2018) Laboratory investigation and field evaluation of loess improvement using nanoclay–a sustainable material for construction. Const Build Mater 158:454–463

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tong Z (2007) Water-based suspension of polymer nanoclay composite prepared via miniemulsion polymerization. Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta

  • Valizade N, Tabarsa A (2020) Laboratory investigation of plant root reinforcement on the mechanical behaviour and collapse potential of loess soil. Eur J Environ Civ Eng 1–17

  • Wang J, Zhang D, Chen C, Wang S (2020) Measurement and modelling of stress-dependent water permeability of collapsible loess in China. Eng Geol 266:105393

  • Wilson MA, Tran NH, Milev AS, Kannangara GK, Volk H, Lu GM (2008) Nanomaterials in soils. Geoderma 146:291–302

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang G, Germaine J, Whittle A, Ladd C (2004) Index properties of a highly weathered old alluvium. Geotechnique 54:441–451

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zimbardo M, Ercoli L, Mistretta MC, Scaffaro R, Megna B (2020) Collapsible intact soil stabilisation using non-aqueous polymeric vehicle. Eng Geol 264:105334

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Shiraz University of Technology, Shiraz, Iran

    A. Johari & H. Golkarfard

  2. Department of Civil Engineering, Persian Gulf University, Bushehr, Iran

    F. Davoudi & A. Fazeli

Authors
  1. A. Johari
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. H. Golkarfard
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. F. Davoudi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. A. Fazeli
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to A. Johari.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Johari, A., Golkarfard, H., Davoudi, F. et al. A predictive model based on the experimental investigation of collapsible soil treatment using nano-clay in the Sivand Dam region, Iran. Bull Eng Geol Environ 80, 6725–6748 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10064-021-02360-w

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10064-021-02360-w

Keywords

Search

Navigation