A Study of Frost-Heave Mechanics of High-Clay Content Soils

1984 ◽  
Vol 106 (4) ◽  
pp. 502-508
Author(s):  
R. N. Yong ◽  
P. Boonsinsuk ◽  
A. E. Tucker

In this study, the problem of frost penetration in high-clay content soils is examined with the view to assessment of cyclic freeze-thaw effects on initial virgin unfrozen natural clays. The requirements for control of the frost-heave problem in many construction projects in the northern regions of Eastern Canada demand that proper prediction be made for both frost-heave pressures and magnitudes of frost heaving in the high-clay content soils. Laboratory cyclic freeze-thaw and frost-heave tests conducted have shown that the mechanical properties of the clay soils, which are virgin unfrozen natural soil samples obtained from Northern Quebec, are sensitive to cyclic freeze-thaw. In the cyclic freeze-thaw tests conducted, scanning electron micrographs taken from samples after various cycles show that the original soil fabric becomes more disturbed after the first few cycles. Particles are re-arranged, and a regrouping of particles into larger stable (or apparently stable) soil fabric units are formed after a certain number of cycles. In essence, this study provides the experimental information concerning the cyclic freeze-thaw effects on mechanical properties for some high-clay content soils, not initially subject to freezing.

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Zhongnian Yang ◽  
Xuesen Liu ◽  
Liang Zhang ◽  
Fujun Niu ◽  
Xianzhang Ling ◽  
...  

Expansive soil has a significant impact on the stability of many key construction projects in cold regions. To study the physical and mechanical properties of expanded soil under the condition of freeze-thaw cycle, cryogenic cyclic triaxial tests were conducted on the dynamic and the displacement characteristics of geosynthetic-reinforced expansive soil subjected to the freeze-thaw cycles. Compared with the unreinforced expansive soil samples, the effects of freeze-thaw cycles on the soil dynamics were discussed. The dynamic shear modulus (Gd) and damping ratio (λ) of the expansive soil samples are improved by reinforcement. Reinforced soil can inhibit the axial compression of the sample and restrain the frost heave deformation of the sample during the freezing process. Meanwhile, it can delay the structural damage effect caused by frost heave and reduce the rate of change of the Gd and the λ with the freeze-thaw cycle. At the same time, reinforced soil can inhibit the axial expansion, reduce the rate of reduction of the Gd, stabilize it with a higher rate, and reduce the influence of the freeze-thaw cycles on the λ of the expansive soil sample. Finally, the change of mechanical properties of expansive soil under the condition of reinforcement is obtained. The main conclusions of this paper can be used to reinforce the roadbed and foundation engineering of frozen soil in a cold region and provide support for the fiber reinforcement method of expansive soil.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Longxiao Chen ◽  
Kesheng Li ◽  
Guilei Song ◽  
Deng Zhang ◽  
Chuanxiao Liu

AbstractRock deterioration under freeze–thaw cycles is a concern for in-service tunnel in cold regions. Previous studies focused on the change of rock mechanical properties under unidirectional stress, but the natural rock mass is under three dimensional stresses. This paper investigates influences of the number of freeze–thaw cycle on sandstone under low confining pressure. Twelve sandstone samples were tested subjected to triaxial compression. Additionally, the damage characteristics of sandstone internal microstructure were obtained by using acoustic emission (AE) and mercury intrusion porosimetry. Results indicated that the mechanical properties of sandstone were significantly reduced by freeze–thaw effect. Sandstone’ peak strength and elastic modulus were 7.28–37.96% and 6.38–40.87% less than for the control, respectively. The proportion of super-large pore and large pore in sandstone increased by 19.53–81.19%. We attributed the reduced sandstone’ mechanical properties to the degenerated sandstone microstructure, which, in turn, was associated with increased sandstone macropores. The macroscopic failure pattern of sandstone changed from splitting failure to shear failure with an increasing of freeze–thaw cycles. Moreover, the activity of AE signal increased at each stage, and the cumulative ringing count also showed upward trend with the increase of freeze–thaw number.


2012 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 13-26
Author(s):  
Myrtha Karina ◽  
Lucia Indrarti ◽  
Rike Yudianti ◽  
Indriyati

The effect of castor oil on the physical and mechanical properties of bacterial cellulose is described. Bacterial cellulose (BC) was impregnated with 0.5–2% (w/v) castor oil (CO) in acetone–water, providing BCCO films. Scanning electron micrographs revealed that the castor oil penetrated the pores of the bacterial cellulose, resulting in a smoother morphology and enhanced hydrophilicity. Castor oil caused a slight change in crystallinity indices and resulted in reduced tensile strength and Young's modulus but increased elongation at break. A significant reduction in tensile strength and Young's modulus was achieved in BCCO films with 2% castor oil, and there was an improvement in elongation at break and hydrophilicity. Impregnation with castor oil, a biodegradable and safe plasticiser, resulted in less rigid and more ductile composites.


2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Huren Rong ◽  
Jingyu Gu ◽  
Miren Rong ◽  
Hong Liu ◽  
Jiayao Zhang ◽  
...  

In order to study the damage characteristics of the yellow sandstone containing pores under the freeze-thaw cycle, the uniaxial compression test of saturated water-stained yellow sandstones with different freeze-thaw cycles was carried out by rock servo press, the microstructure was qualitatively analyzed by Zeiss 508 stereo microscope, and the microdamage mechanism was quantitatively studied by using specific surface area and pore size analyzer. The mechanism of weakening mechanical properties of single-hole yellow sandstone was expounded from the perspective of microstructure. The results show the following. (1) The number of freeze-thaw cycles and single-pore diameter have significant effects on the strength and elastic modulus of the yellow sandstone; the more the freeze-thaw cycles and the larger the pore size, the lower the strength of the yellow sandstone. (2) The damage modes of the yellow sandstone containing pores under the freeze-thaw cycle are divided into five types, and the yellow sandstone with pores is divided into two areas: the periphery of the hole and the distance from the hole; as the number of freeze-thaw cycles increases, different regions show different microscopic damage patterns. (3) The damage degree of yellow sandstone is different with freeze-thaw cycle and pore size. Freeze-thaw not only affects the mechanical properties of yellow sandstone but also accelerates the damage process of pores. (4) The damage of the yellow sandstone by freeze-thaw is logarithmic function, and the damage of the yellow sandstone is a power function. The damage equation of the yellow sandstone with pores under the freezing and thawing is a log-power function nonlinear change law and presents a good correlation.


2014 ◽  
Vol 1611 ◽  
pp. 95-104 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nadira Mathura ◽  
Duncan Cree ◽  
Ryan P. Mulligan

ABSTRACTIn many tropical countries coconut (coir) fiber production is a major source of income for rural communities. The Caribbean has an abundance of coconuts but research into utilizing its by-products is limited. Environmentally friendly coir fibers are natural polymers generally discarded as waste material in this region. Research has shown that coir fiber from other parts of the world has successfully been recycled. This paper therefore investigates the mechanical properties of Caribbean coir fiber for potential applications in civil engineering.Approximately four hundred fibers were randomly taken from a coir fiber stack and subjected to retting in both distilled and saline water media. The mechanical properties of both the retted and unretted coir fibers were evaluated at weekly increments for a period of 3 months. Tensile strength test, x-ray diffraction analysis and scanning electron micrographs were used to assess trends and relationships between fiber gauge lengths, diameter, tensile strength and Young’s modulus. Diameters ranged between 0.11 mm-0.46 mm, while fiber samples were no longer than 250 mm in length. The tensile strength and strain at break decreased as the gauge length increased for both unretted and retted fibers. The opposite occurred for the relationship between the gauge length and Young’s modulus. Additionally, the tensile strength and modulus decreased as the fiber diameter increased. Neither distilled nor saline water improved the coir fiber’s crystalline index. Scanning electron micrographs qualitatively assessed fiber surfaces and captured necking and microfibril degradation at the fractured ends.The analysis revealed that the tensile strength, modulus, strain at break and crystallinity properties of the Caribbean coir fibers were comparable to commercially available coir fiber which are currently being used in many building applications.


1965 ◽  
Vol 45 (2) ◽  
pp. 127-138 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. E. Brydon

The Arago, Barney, and Holmesville soils, Podzols from Quebec, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick, respectively, each had friable Bfh horizons with moderate granular structure, and with organic matter and free Fe2O3 contents greater than the Ae and C horizons. The Arago and Holmesville had thin Bhft horizons containing over 10% organic matter and 5% free iron oxides. The C horizons of these two soils had some features characteristic of fragipans.The B horizons of the three soils had a high "pH-dependent charge component" in the C.E.C. values. The "permanent charge component" was similar throughout the Arago profile except for the Bhft horizon where clay accumulation had occurred.Translocation of clay from the Ae to the upper B horizons was indicated by the twofold increase in clay content and the relative enrichment of fine clay in the B horizons. Removal of free iron affected the clay contents differently in the different: horizons but the maximum clay content in the upper B horizons remained. The definitions of Orthic Podzols, Textural Podzols, and t horizons should be re-examined.


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