Effect of nano calcium carbonate (nano CaCO₃) on the strength and consolidation properties of clayey sand soil

Abstract

Nanotechnology is extensively used in engineering to improve systems, characteristics and standards. Various techniques can be used for soil improvement in road embankment and geotechnical engineering. The present study examined the effect of nano calcium carbonate (nano-CaCO₃) on clayey sand soil using uniaxial and consolidation tests on specimens containing 10%, 20% and 30% kaolinite and bentonite, and 0.3%, 0.7%, 1.1% and 1.5% nano-CaCO₃ at curing times of 7, 14 and 28 days. The results showed that mixtures containing 10% and 20% clay plus 0.7% nano-CaCO₃, and specimens with 30% clay and 1.1% nano-CaCO₃, exhibited optimal UCS and consolidation properties. XRD patterns indicated an increase in the intensity of the phases (calcium silicate hydrate, kaolin, calcite, etc) after the addition of nano-CaCO₃ to the soil. SEM micrographs showed better filling of voids after the addition of nano-CaCO₃ to both clay types. The amounts of these products were higher in the bentonite specimens.

KEYWORDS:

• Kaolinite
• bentonite
• nano-CaCO₃
• soil stabilisation
• uniaxial strength
• consolidation

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Data availability statement

Some or all of the data, models, and codes that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.