Effect of Metakaolin on Dispersivity Potential and Geotechnical Parameters of Dispersive Soils

Authors

Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Civil and Earth Resources Engineering, Central Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

     Nowadays, the dispersion phenomenon is one of the main concerns for industrial and civil projects in southern regions of Iran. In this phenomenon, dispersive clay soil, under special situation, is dispersed and rapidly washed away. Due to the continuous developments in industrial and mineral additives, in this study metakaolin was used for soil improving dispersive soils. Researchers have always studied the use of additives for soil improvement. However, using cheap and environmentally friendly additives, such as natural pozzolans, are more desired. Natural pozzolans, are silica and alumina-silica materials with no apparent cement property but in presence of water, they make bonds with hydrate calcium and have cement properties. By reviewing previous studies, it can be seen that using pozzolanic materials are environmentally friendly, reduces energy consumption, reduces costs, reduces permeability and increases the chemical resistance of concrete. Metakaolin is a natural pozzolan with high permeability, with 50-55% SiO2 which reacts with Ca (OH)2 in room temperature and produces the calcium silicate hydrate (CSH) gel. Kolovos et al (2013) investigated mechanical properties of a soil improved by metakaolin. In this study, the optimum mix design of cement soil and its mechanical properties are investigated and the results show improved mechanical properties of soil. Wu et al (2016) studied the effect of metakaolin and cement on MHS strength and soil structure. The results show that adding metakaolin to soil reduces its sensitivity to water and significantly increased the uniaxial compressive strength and tensile strength of soil. Wianglor et al (2017) reviewed the effects of alkaline active metakaolin on compressive strength and particle structure of the improved mortar in 23 and 60 centigrade. The results show that increasing the amount of metakaolin and the temperature results in increased compressive strength and silicate and aluminate gel is apparently seen in mortar particle structure. In recent years, the compound effect of cement and metakaolin have rarely been studied, however there is no record for using metakaolin alone for soil improvement. This study aims to investigate the effects of different metakaolin percentages on reducing the clay dispersion potential, using crumb test, hydrometry, and also reviewing its geotechnical properties, such as Atterberg limits, maximum dry density, optimum humidity percentage, uniaxial compressive strength, and its validation using SEM.

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References

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Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Volume 54.2, Issue 115 - Serial Number 115
Summer of 2024
November 2024
Pages 1-12

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