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Geotechnical Properties of Soils Modified With Nanomaterials - A Comprehensive Review by Ghasabkolaei Et Al PDF
Geotechnical Properties of Soils Modified With Nanomaterials - A Comprehensive Review by Ghasabkolaei Et Al PDF
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Article history: In recent years, large steps have been taken in the eld of nanotechnology, and many
Received 31 July 2016 nanotechnology-based breakthroughs have been made in geotechnical engineering. It is
Accepted 29 January 2017 apparent that nanomaterials will be used to improve the geotechnical properties of soils in
Available online 24 February 2017 the near future, extensively.
In this paper, we discussed previous studies on the use of nanoparticles in soil, their
Keywords: properties, their effects on soil and the equipment used in nanotechnology. A new categori-
Nanomaterials zation was introduced and the signicant effects of nanoparticles on the properties of soil
Soil were studied. According to the new categorization, clay particles vary between 0.1 and 2 mm,
Geotechnical engineering while nanosol contains particles in the range of 1100 nm.
Clay 2017 Politechnika Wrocawska. Published by Elsevier Sp. z o.o. All rights reserved.
Review study
1. Introduction
(2) Creating and using structures, tools, and systems that have
new properties and performances due to their small size or
The ideas and concepts behind nanoscience and nanotech- medium limit;
nology started with a talk entitled There's Plenty of Room at (3) Ability to control or manipulate at atomic levels.
the Bottom by physicist Richard Feynman at an American
Physical Society meeting at the California Institute of Utilizing the properties of nanoscale material provides
Technology on December 1959, long before the term nano- some characteristics, advantages and prots that are funda-
technology was used [1,2]. Since then, various denitions have mental from medical, scientical, environmental and com-
been proposed for nanotechnology. The National Nanotech- mercial. Among the benets that have been recognized to date
nology Initiative (NNI) presented a comprehensive denition are reducing energy consumption, economic savings, time
that includes the following three denitions: [3] savings, increased quality of products, all of which can
contribute to increased quality of life and healthier lifestyles.
(1) Technology development and research at atomic, molecu- They can also reduce our dependence on other advanced
lar, or macro-molecular levels on the scale of 1100 nm; technologies and their higher costs and increase the national
* Corresponding author.
E-mail address: ghasemi.seiyed.e@gmail.com (S.E. Ghasemi).
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.acme.2017.01.010
1644-9665/ 2017 Politechnika Wrocawska. Published by Elsevier Sp. z o.o. All rights reserved.
640 archives of civil and mechanical engineering 17 (2017) 639650
[13]. This method can be also used to investigate the sizes and
distributions of the nanoparticles [1416].
TEM was invented in 1939 by two German scientists,
Siemens and Halska, to simplify the analysis process and
improve the accuracy of images [17]. TEM, like SEM, uses
electron emissions by passing the electrons through the
specimen and to a phosphorus detector to provide a plan of the
specimen's structure [18]. TEM is able to take images of the
nanoscale particles that are produced so that the sizes and
morphologies of the particles can be scrutinized. It also can be
used to study inorganic materials in soils [19]. In addition, it
enables the identication and analysis of features on a
signicantly sub-micrometer scale [20]. Fig. 1 Unconfined compressive strength of sand samples
AFM was invented in 1986 by Binning, Quate, and Gerber grouted with various percentages of colloidal silica (data
[21]. It has many applications in determining surface topog- obtained from paper of Persoff et al. [34]).
raphy and studying surface cavities [22]. AFM consists of a
cantilever with a sharp tip at its end that is used to scan the
specimen's surface. Unlike an electron microscope, which
provides a two-dimensional projection or a two-dimensional targeted, 10 wt% provided sufcient stabilization with accept-
image of a sample, AFM provides a true three-dimensional able strain levels. Although using more than 10 wt% colloidal
prole of the surface. High resolution AFM is comparable to silica limited the strain even further, it was not economically
SEM and TEM. AFM images are used in geotechnical feasible (Fig. 2).
engineering to study the roughness of surfaces and the Also, Rodriguez and Izarraras [37] investigated the reduc-
friction angle between soil particles [23,24]. A major advantage tion of liquefaction potential of liqueable sand with colloidal
of AFM is that, unlike electron microscopes, it can operate in silica. Adding 15 wt% of colloidal silica to liqueable loose sand
air, vacuum, and liquid environments [22]. This technique is signicantly increased the soil resistance against liquefaction.
still relatively new to study the nanostructures of cementitious Thus, by adding colloidal silica grout, the behavior of treated
materials [2531]. loose sand was similar to that of dense untreated one. Kodaka
et al. [38] investigated the effect of colloidal silica gel on the
cyclic shear characteristics of sand. Consequently, the cyclic
5. Practical records of using nanoparticles in torsional shear test was conducted, and they found that
soils adding 4 wt% of colloidal silica signicantly decreased the
strength of loose sand against liquefaction. Gallagher and Lin
5.1. Coarse-grained soils [39] presented a theory related to the mitigation of the
liquefaction potential of loose sand. The results of their
5.1.1. Colloidal silica unconned compression test indicated that 5 wt% of colloidal
Yonekora and Miwa [32] determined unconned compressive silica was suitable for mitigating the risk of liquefaction
strength of 335 kPa in sand grouted with 32 wt% (weight because the colloidal silica increased the cohesion of the sand
percent) colloidal silica. In a pilot study, Noll et al. [33] obtained and its resistance against liquefaction. Gallagher et al. [40]
reduced permeability and metal absorption by using colloidal studied the stabilization of liqueable sand using colloidal
silica gel that contained loose sand. After 5 wt% of colloidal silica in the grout with centrifuge modeling. They reported that
silica treatment, the permeability ranges from 10 8 to 10 7 cm/ 6 wt% of colloidal silica was the optimal content for sand
s. The study by Persoff et al. [34] indicated that the compressive stabilizing. Gallagher et al. [41] injected colloidal silica gel as an
strength of sand increased as the concentration of colloidal additive into wells that contained sand to reduce the settling of
silica in the grout was increased up to 27 wt% after seven days,
reaching approximately 400 kPa (Fig. 1). The silica content was
4.9, 7.4, 9.8, 19.7, and 27.7%. For concentrations of silica
particles greater than 7.4 wt%, the hydraulic conductivity was
less than 1.0 10 1 cm/s. Also, in this range, the log of the
hydraulic conductivity decreased approximately linearly with
concentration of the colloidal silica particles.
Towhata and Kabashima [35] conducted triaxial tests and
studied the reduction of foundation subsidence on liqueable
sand. They reported that specimens with 40% relative density
treated with 4.5 wt% of colloidal silica exhibited deformation
behavior and liquefaction resistance similar to those of
untreated dense sand with relative density of 75% or more.
Gallagher and Mitchell [36] showed that 5 wt% of colloidal Fig. 2 Unconfined compressive strength of sand samples
silica considerably mitigated the risk of liquefaction of loose grouted with various percentages of colloidal silica (data
sand in case of seismic loading. When strain limitation was obtained from paper of Gallagher and Mitchell [36]).
642 archives of civil and mechanical engineering 17 (2017) 639650
Fig. 3 Variations of collapse index versus different 5.2.1. Carbon nanotube (CNT)
percentages of clay fraction for three series of samples Taha and Ying [49] studied the effect of carbon nanotubes
(data obtained from paper of Ouhadi and Bakhshalipour (CNTs) on the geotechnical behavior of kaolinite soil. Atterberg
[45]). limit and consolidation tests were conducted for ranges from 0
archives of civil and mechanical engineering 17 (2017) 639650 643
5.2.3. Nanoclay
Baziar et al. [51] assessed the effect of adding nanoclay on the
plasticity properties of clayey soil. In order to do so, 1, 2, 4 and
8 wt% nanoclay was added to clay, and the results were
compared with those of nano-free soil. Fig. 11 shows that the
nanoclay had no considerable effect on the plastic limit, but it
increased the liquid limit. Also, adding nanoclay increased the
plasticity index. Adding 8 wt% nanoclay resulted in a 60%
increase in the plasticity index, which was considerable. This
issue can be useful in many geotechnical projects, like the clay
core of earth dams, because a high plasticity index can reduce
the risk of cracks formation, increases the resistance against
piping and the stability of the dam. Ghazi et al. [52] studied the Fig. 6 Effect of nanoclay on hydraulic conductivity of soil
compressive strength of clay treated with nanoclay. The (data obtained from paper of Kananizadeh et al. [53]).
644 archives of civil and mechanical engineering 17 (2017) 639650
5.2.4. Nanosilica
Ghazavi and Bolhasani [60] prepared cylindrical clay speci-
mens with 1, 3, and 5 wt% lime and 0, 3, 5, and 7 wt%
nanosilica. The unconned compressive strength (UCS) test
was conducted on the specimens containing lime and
nanosilica at wet curing times of 7, 28, and 90 days. The
results indicate that nanosilica alone had no effect on strength
in the short term, but as these particles were active, the
pozzolanic reaction was initiated if they contained lime
particles and the strength increased considerably (Fig. 11).
Fig. 8 Variation of PI of the mixtures of nanoclay and soils Compressive strength of the improved clay increased with
(data obtained from paper of Bahari et al. [57]). time.
archives of civil and mechanical engineering 17 (2017) 639650 645
Fig. 11 Effect of nanosilica in the UCS of soillime mixture at various curing times: (a) 1 day, (b) 7 days, (c) 28 days, (d) 90 days
(data obtained from paper of Ghazavi and Bolhasani [60]).
Ghazi et al. [61] investigated the effect of adding nanosilica (Fig. 12). A signicant increase was observed with curing time
on the compressive strength of clay soil stabilized with 6% of UCS for the mixture containing nanosilica.
cement, and the results indicated that there was a signicant Bahmani et al. [63] studied the effect of nanosilica on
strengths increase of the specimens that contained 0.5, 1, and Atterberg limits, hydraulic conductivity and the compressive
2 wt% of nanosilica. By adding 2% nanosilica, the strength strength of cement-treated residual soil. The specimens were
increased from 1645.49 to 2346.83 kPa, so 42.6% increase. prepared using kaolinite clay with 4, 6, and 8% cement with
Seyedi Gelsedi and Mamaghanian [62] studied the compres- 0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.8, and 1% nanosilica (Fig. 13). The results
sive strength of clay soil improved with nanosilica. 5 wt% of indicate that the addition of nanosilica reduced PI. The
Lime was added, and the nanosilica contents of the clayey specimen with 0.4% nanosilica exhibited a signicant (80%)
soillime mixture were 1, 3, and 5 wt%. The results indicated increase in its compressive strength. The lowest conduc-
that the addition of nanosilica is very effective in improving tivity among the specimens occurred when 0.4% nanosilica
the UCS of the soillime mixture. According to results 3% was added.
nanosilica was selected as the optimum amount, when the Ghasabkolaei et al. [64] investigated the effect of nanosilica
UCS of the soillime mixture increased up to three times more on geotechnical properties of cement-treated clayey soil. The
than that of the nanofree specimens after 28 days of curing cement percentage used in the clayey soil was 9%. To disperse
Nanosilica in the water, Ultrasonic device has been used.
Nanosilica was added in percentages of 1, 1.5, 2 and 3%, by
weight of cement. To control strength parameters of soil,
Unconned Compressive Strength and California Bearing
Ratio (CBR) tests were performed.
They found that small amount of nanosilica investigated
(1.5% by weight of cement) produced a signicant (38%)
strength increase of cement treated clay (Fig. 14). Also, the
incremental rate of compressive strength was greater during
the rst seven days, after which the increasing trend gradually
became slower. When it mixed with cement-treated clayey
soil, the cement hydration is accelerated due to their high
activity.
The images of scanning electron microscope (SEM) were
Fig. 12 Effect of nanosilica on compressive strength of soil used to verify the results. According to the SEM images (Fig. 15),
lime mixture after 28 days curing (data obtained from the specimens that contain nanosilica were denser and more
paper of Seyedi Gelsefidi and Mamaghanian [62]). homogeneous than the nanofree specimens. The following
646 archives of civil and mechanical engineering 17 (2017) 639650
Fig. 13 Variation of PI of the nanosilica-cemented soil (data Fig. 16 Unconfined compressive strength of soil-cement-
obtained from paper of Bahmani et al. [63]). nanosoil (data obtained from paper of Taha [65]).
Fig. 15 SEM images of the specimens: (a) specimen treated with 9% cement, (b) specimen treated with 9% cement and 1.5%
nanosilica.
Table 2 Existing experimental research findings.
Researchers Type of soil Type of Percent Experiments Results
nanoparticles
Increase Reduce
1 Yonekoura and Miwa Sand Colloidal silica Up to 32 wt% of soil UCS Compressive strength _
2 Noll et al. Sand Colloidal silica 5 wt% of soil Permeability _ Permeability
3 Persoff et al. Sand Colloidal silica 7.4, 19.7 and 27 wt% of soil UCS Permeability Strength Hydraulic conductivity
4 Tawahata and Sand Colloidal silica 4.5 wt% of soil Triaxial shear Liquefaction resistance _
Kabashima
647
648 archives of civil and mechanical engineering 17 (2017) 639650
Hydraulic conductivity
Hydraulic conductivity
Reduce
Collapse Index
PI
_
Results
Strength properties PI C,
Strength properties C,
Increase
Strength properties
Strength properties
Strength properties
Fig. 17 Atterberg limits of soil and its mixtures (data
obtained from paper of Khalid et al. [66]).
6. Conclusions
Measurement of Collapse
CBR, UCS, Atterberg limit
UCS, Permeability
Potential of Soils
Direct shear
UCS, CBR
UCS
matrix.
Percent
depending on the type of particles and the soil they are mixed.
Nanosilica
Nanosilica
Nanosilica
Nanoclay
Nanoclay
Nanoclay
Nanoclay
Nanosoil
Clay + Cement
Type of soil
Clay
Clay
Silt
Silt
Silt
Ghasabkolaei et al.
Janalizadeh et al.
Zahedi et al.
Khalid et al.
atic soils.
Fazeli et al.
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
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