A Review of Physicochemical Stabilization for Improved Engineering Properties of Clays
Severe climatic and environmental conditions warrant the use of stabilization agents in aid of compaction for sustainable improvement in engineering properties of clays. Physicochemical agents are a viable option because they are cost effective, environmentally friendly, and offer improved long-term...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2023-08-01
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| Series: | Geotechnics |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2673-7094/3/3/41 |
| _version_ | 1797579859723026432 |
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| author | Ahmed Bukhary Shahid Azam |
| author_facet | Ahmed Bukhary Shahid Azam |
| author_sort | Ahmed Bukhary |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Severe climatic and environmental conditions warrant the use of stabilization agents in aid of compaction for sustainable improvement in engineering properties of clays. Physicochemical agents are a viable option because they are cost effective, environmentally friendly, and offer improved long-term performance of treated soils. This research developed a fundamental understanding of the clay–water–electrolyte admixtures relations. Based on a comprehensive literature review, the effect of nanomaterials, biopolymers, and geopolymers on the behavior of compacted clays was investigated. It was found that all of these admixtures facilitate the development of an aggregated soil microstructure through unique mechanisms. Biopolymers have the highest water adsorption capacity followed by geopolymers and then by nanomaterials. The effect of admixtures on optimum compaction properties follows a decreasing trend similar to untreated clays (<i>S</i> = 80% ± 20%). The variation of hydraulic conductivity, compression index, and compressive strength are largely within the family of curves identified by typical relationships for compacted clays. These preliminary findings indicate that not all engineering properties are improved to the same level by the different types of physicochemical admixtures. The specific nature of geotechnical engineering (soil type and site conditions) as well as the wide range of admixture types and potential biodegradation of some of the reagents are the major shortcoming of using this class of materials. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T22:41:52Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-11525d03245f44179c58ba0ab96b0029 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2673-7094 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T22:41:52Z |
| publishDate | 2023-08-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Geotechnics |
| spelling | doaj.art-11525d03245f44179c58ba0ab96b00292023-11-19T10:55:12ZengMDPI AGGeotechnics2673-70942023-08-013374475910.3390/geotechnics3030041A Review of Physicochemical Stabilization for Improved Engineering Properties of ClaysAhmed Bukhary0Shahid Azam1Environmental Systems Engineering, University of Regina, 3737 Wascana Parkway, Regina, SK S4S 0A2, CanadaEnvironmental Systems Engineering, University of Regina, 3737 Wascana Parkway, Regina, SK S4S 0A2, CanadaSevere climatic and environmental conditions warrant the use of stabilization agents in aid of compaction for sustainable improvement in engineering properties of clays. Physicochemical agents are a viable option because they are cost effective, environmentally friendly, and offer improved long-term performance of treated soils. This research developed a fundamental understanding of the clay–water–electrolyte admixtures relations. Based on a comprehensive literature review, the effect of nanomaterials, biopolymers, and geopolymers on the behavior of compacted clays was investigated. It was found that all of these admixtures facilitate the development of an aggregated soil microstructure through unique mechanisms. Biopolymers have the highest water adsorption capacity followed by geopolymers and then by nanomaterials. The effect of admixtures on optimum compaction properties follows a decreasing trend similar to untreated clays (<i>S</i> = 80% ± 20%). The variation of hydraulic conductivity, compression index, and compressive strength are largely within the family of curves identified by typical relationships for compacted clays. These preliminary findings indicate that not all engineering properties are improved to the same level by the different types of physicochemical admixtures. The specific nature of geotechnical engineering (soil type and site conditions) as well as the wide range of admixture types and potential biodegradation of some of the reagents are the major shortcoming of using this class of materials.https://www.mdpi.com/2673-7094/3/3/41physicochemical interactioncompacted claysnanomaterialbiopolymergeopolymer |
| spellingShingle | Ahmed Bukhary Shahid Azam A Review of Physicochemical Stabilization for Improved Engineering Properties of Clays Geotechnics physicochemical interaction compacted clays nanomaterial biopolymer geopolymer |
| title | A Review of Physicochemical Stabilization for Improved Engineering Properties of Clays |
| title_full | A Review of Physicochemical Stabilization for Improved Engineering Properties of Clays |
| title_fullStr | A Review of Physicochemical Stabilization for Improved Engineering Properties of Clays |
| title_full_unstemmed | A Review of Physicochemical Stabilization for Improved Engineering Properties of Clays |
| title_short | A Review of Physicochemical Stabilization for Improved Engineering Properties of Clays |
| title_sort | review of physicochemical stabilization for improved engineering properties of clays |
| topic | physicochemical interaction compacted clays nanomaterial biopolymer geopolymer |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2673-7094/3/3/41 |
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