Influence of Soil Particle Size on the Engineering Properties and Microstructure of a Red Clay
Particle size exerts a significant influence on the mechanical behavior of soil. However, insufficient research has been carried out on red clay formations, which are widespread in some Chinese provinces. Here, using unconfined compressive strength (UCS) tests, wetting–drying (WD) tests, and low-tem...
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MDPI AG
2021-11-01
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| Series: | Applied Sciences |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/11/22/10887 |
| _version_ | 1797511297701511168 |
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| author | Yongwei Wang Kunyao Li Jiaming Li Shibin Tang |
| author_facet | Yongwei Wang Kunyao Li Jiaming Li Shibin Tang |
| author_sort | Yongwei Wang |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Particle size exerts a significant influence on the mechanical behavior of soil. However, insufficient research has been carried out on red clay formations, which are widespread in some Chinese provinces. Here, using unconfined compressive strength (UCS) tests, wetting–drying (WD) tests, and low-temperature nitrogen adsorption tests, we examined the relationship between the particle size and a number of mechanical and microstructural characteristics of a red clay outcropping at a construction site in China. Our results suggest that, depending on the surface area, porosity, particle size, and dry density, the failure mechanism in UCS tests will be different. That is, as the particle size increases, the failure mode of soil changes from split failure into shear failure. In addition, as the dry density increases, the UCS of the soil sample is significantly improved, and its total porosity and fractal dimension decrease. We also evaluated a dependence on particle size and the number of WD cycles on the distribution and size of cracks in WD tests. We conclude by suggesting that particle size, dry density, and WD behavior should all be taken into account in roadbed designs in red clay formations. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T05:43:23Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-9769d595def7455393f7ae5a9e6729b8 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2076-3417 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T05:43:23Z |
| publishDate | 2021-11-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| series | Applied Sciences |
| spelling | doaj.art-9769d595def7455393f7ae5a9e6729b82023-11-22T22:20:26ZengMDPI AGApplied Sciences2076-34172021-11-0111221088710.3390/app112210887Influence of Soil Particle Size on the Engineering Properties and Microstructure of a Red ClayYongwei Wang0Kunyao Li1Jiaming Li2Shibin Tang3Research and Development Center of Transport Industry of Intelligent Manufacturing Technologies of Transport Infrastructure, CCCC Second Harbor Engineering Company Ltd., Wuhan 430000, ChinaResearch and Development Center of Transport Industry of Intelligent Manufacturing Technologies of Transport Infrastructure, CCCC Second Harbor Engineering Company Ltd., Wuhan 430000, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Coastal and Offshore Engineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116024, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Coastal and Offshore Engineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116024, ChinaParticle size exerts a significant influence on the mechanical behavior of soil. However, insufficient research has been carried out on red clay formations, which are widespread in some Chinese provinces. Here, using unconfined compressive strength (UCS) tests, wetting–drying (WD) tests, and low-temperature nitrogen adsorption tests, we examined the relationship between the particle size and a number of mechanical and microstructural characteristics of a red clay outcropping at a construction site in China. Our results suggest that, depending on the surface area, porosity, particle size, and dry density, the failure mechanism in UCS tests will be different. That is, as the particle size increases, the failure mode of soil changes from split failure into shear failure. In addition, as the dry density increases, the UCS of the soil sample is significantly improved, and its total porosity and fractal dimension decrease. We also evaluated a dependence on particle size and the number of WD cycles on the distribution and size of cracks in WD tests. We conclude by suggesting that particle size, dry density, and WD behavior should all be taken into account in roadbed designs in red clay formations.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/11/22/10887red clayparticle size effectspecific surface areaporeengineering characteristic |
| spellingShingle | Yongwei Wang Kunyao Li Jiaming Li Shibin Tang Influence of Soil Particle Size on the Engineering Properties and Microstructure of a Red Clay Applied Sciences red clay particle size effect specific surface area pore engineering characteristic |
| title | Influence of Soil Particle Size on the Engineering Properties and Microstructure of a Red Clay |
| title_full | Influence of Soil Particle Size on the Engineering Properties and Microstructure of a Red Clay |
| title_fullStr | Influence of Soil Particle Size on the Engineering Properties and Microstructure of a Red Clay |
| title_full_unstemmed | Influence of Soil Particle Size on the Engineering Properties and Microstructure of a Red Clay |
| title_short | Influence of Soil Particle Size on the Engineering Properties and Microstructure of a Red Clay |
| title_sort | influence of soil particle size on the engineering properties and microstructure of a red clay |
| topic | red clay particle size effect specific surface area pore engineering characteristic |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/11/22/10887 |
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