scholarly journals Influence of Soil Particle Size on the Engineering Properties and Microstructure of a Red Clay

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (22) ◽  
pp. 10887
Author(s):  
Yongwei Wang ◽  
Kunyao Li ◽  
Jiaming Li ◽  
Shibin Tang

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.

Sensors ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (23) ◽  
pp. 7983
Author(s):  
Qingbing Liu ◽  
Jinge Wang ◽  
Hongwei Zheng ◽  
Tie Hu ◽  
Jie Zheng

This paper presents a model for estimating the moisture of loess from an image grayscale value. A series of well-controlled air-dry tests were performed on saturated Malan loess, and the moisture content of the loess sample during the desiccation process was automatically recorded while the soil images were continually captured using a photogrammetric device equipped with a CMOS image sensor. By converting the red, green, and blue (RGB) image into a grayscale one, the relationship between the water content and grayscale value, referred to as the water content–gray value characteristic curve (WGCC), was obtained; the impacts of dry density, particle size distribution, and illuminance on WGCC were investigated. It is shown that the grayscale value increases as the water content decreases; based on the rate of increase of grayscale value, the WGCC can be segmented into three stages: slow-rise, rapid-rise, and asymptotically stable stages. The influences that dry density and particle size distribution have on WGCC are dependent on light reflection and transmission, and this dependence is closely related to soil water types and their relative proportion. Besides, the WGCC for a given soil sample is unique if normalized with illuminance. The mechanism behind the three stages of WGCC is discussed in terms of visible light reflection. A mathematical model was proposed to describe WGCC, and the physical meaning of the model parameters was interpreted. The proposed model is validated independently using another six different types of loess samples and is shown to match well the experimental data. The results of this study can provide a reference for the development of non-contact soil moisture monitoring methods as well as relevant sensors and instruments.


2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Chuanyang Liang ◽  
Yuedong Wu ◽  
Jian Liu ◽  
Huiguo Wu ◽  
Dashuo Chen ◽  
...  

The particle size of expanded polystyrene (EPS) has an effect on engineering properties of EPS-clay blends. However, the effect of differences between EPS particle size groups subdivided within 1–3 mm on engineering properties is usually ignored. In this study, different particle sizes of EPS pellets have been considered to separately investigate the effect on the optimum water content (OWC), maximum dry density (MDD), unconfined compressive strength (UCS), ductility, coefficient of permeability, and compression index of EPS-clay blends. Results show that the MDD, ductility, hydraulic conductivity, and compression index of EPS-clay blends do not increase with the increase in the EPS particle size in the range of 0.3–3 mm, while the OWC and UCS do not decrease. For a given EPS content, among samples with the EPS particle size of 0.3–1 mm, 1-2 mm, and 2-3 mm, the MDD and UCS of EPS-clay blends with 1-2 mm in EPS particle size are the largest, while the OWC, ductility, coefficient of permeability, and compression index are the smallest. Microstructure analyses reveal that, for samples with the EPS particle size of 1-2 mm, the pore volume is lower and the microstructure is denser, which are the main reasons why the EPS particle size can influence engineering properties of EPS-clay blends.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xi-An Li ◽  
Jianqiang Sun ◽  
Hongyu Ren ◽  
Tuo Lu ◽  
Yongbiao Ren ◽  
...  

Abstract Loess has loose metastable structure, which is not difficult to be destroyed under load. As the core and soul of loess structure, it is part of the main research directions of loess engineering properties at present to study its microscopic behaviors and then realize the interpretation and prediction of macroscopic mechanical properties. In this study, based on the analysis of the basic physical properties of loess samples from seven different places, each sample was scanned by X-ray with continuous slice CT, and the three-dimensional microstructure of loess samples was established. According to the computer graphics method, each particle is equivalent to an ellipsoid, and the flattening rate and elongation rate of particles in each sample are quantitatively counted. Taking the particle size distribution (PSD) and shape parameters (flatness and elongation) of each sample as the control factors for generating discrete element method (DEM) samples, a series of triaxial compression simulation tests were carried out, and the microscopic behaviors of each sample were studied within the whole test framework. Comparing the results of seven different samples, it is shown that both PSD and particle shape have effects on stress-strain relationship, dry density and the normal contact force of loess samples. Most of the sand particles (> 0.075mm) are flat particles, while the clay particles (< 0.005mm) are mainly near spheres. When the volume fraction of sand particles is large, the dry density of the sample is the lowest. However, when the content of near spherical clay particles is large and the particle size distribution is good, and the average coordination value is large, which shows that it has strong normal contact force, and thus higher shear strength.


2010 ◽  
Vol 156-157 ◽  
pp. 1702-1707
Author(s):  
Xiang Wen Cheng ◽  
Jinchao Liu ◽  
Qi Zhi Ding ◽  
Li Ming Song ◽  
Zhan Lin Wang

How to predict the relationship among particle size and among product size, to establish the relationship between the granularity and working parameters in the process of grinding and to determine the optimum operating parameters. With proposing BS squeeze crush model by L. Bass and the idea of roll surface division as the material uneven extrusion force are adopted. Based on field experiments the experimental data is analyzed, the select function and the breakage functions are fitted with MATLAB software, and obtaining their model. The comminution model is determined by the roller division. We obtain the model parameter through the experimental data. Through model analysis shows: the relationship between particle breakage and energy absorption, namely the smaller size of the same power, the lower broken; the breakage diminishes with the decrease of particle size ratio and it will be tending to a small constant when the smaller particle size ratio. The breakage functions rapidly decrease within ratio of between 0.2-0.7. This shows: the energy consumption will rapidly increase when the particle size of less than 0.2 in broken; the selection diminish with the decrease of particle size. Pressure (8-9MPa) should be the most appropriate value.


2021 ◽  
Vol 80 (3) ◽  
pp. 1963-1980
Author(s):  
Solomon Adomako ◽  
Christian John Engelsen ◽  
Rein Terje Thorstensen ◽  
Diego Maria Barbieri

AbstractRock aggregates constitute the enormous volume of inert construction material used around the globe. The petrologic description as igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic types establishes the intrinsic formation pattern of the parent rock. The engineering properties of these rocks vary due to the differences in the transformation process (e.g. hydrothermal deposits) and weathering effect. The two most common mechanical tests used to investigate the performance of aggregates are the Los Angeles (LA) and micro-Deval (MD) tests. This study reviewed the geological parameters (including mineralogy, grain and crystal size, grain shape, and porosity) and the relationship to Los Angeles and micro-Deval tests. It was found that high content of primary minerals in rocks (e.g. quartz and feldspar) is a significant parameter for performance evaluation. Traces of secondary and accessory minerals also affect the performance of rocks, although in many cases it is based on the percentage. Furthermore, some studies showed that the effect of mineralogic composition on mechanical strength is not sufficient to draw final conclusions of mechanical performance; therefore, the impact of other textural characteristics should be considered. The disposition of grain size and crystal size (e.g. as result of lithification) showed that rocks composed of fine-grain textural composition of ≤ 1 mm enhanced fragmentation and wear resistance than medium and coarse grained (≥ 1 mm). The effect of grain shape was based on convex and concave shapes and flat and elongated apexes of tested samples. The equidimensional form descriptor of rocks somehow improved resistance to impact from LA than highly flat and elongated particles. Lastly, the distribution of pore space investigated by means of the saturation method mostly showed moderate (R = 0.50) to strong (R = 0.90) and positive correlations to LA and MD tests.


2019 ◽  
Vol 81 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
N. Masdiana ◽  
M. Rashid ◽  
S. Hajar ◽  
M. R. Ammar

TrikotAC filter aids is a combination of a pre-coating material PreKot™ with two adsorbents; activated carbon and lime and their characteristics were investigated in this study. TrikotAC was formulated into three different weight ratios of 5:1:94, 10:1:89 and 10:5:85, respectively. The relationship between adsorption properties and characteristics of the formulated materials particle size distribution, particle density, bulk density, and BET surface area were investigated. The results showed that the adsorption capacity for TrikotAC 10:5:85 (11.88 mg/g) was higher than for the other formulated filter aids samples, and the formulated filter aids material TrikotAC showed promising characteristic as a filter aids and adsorbent for organic compound in fabric filtration system.


2019 ◽  
Vol 118 ◽  
pp. 04009
Author(s):  
Yuan Li ◽  
Jie Liu ◽  
Yibiao Yu ◽  
Hao Zhu ◽  
Zheng Shen ◽  
...  

A more detailed occurrence features of organic matters in the printing and dyeing wastewater, based on its particle size distribution (PSD) and along with a wastewater treatment process, was conducted to provide a support for advanced treatment. Results suggested that, (1) In the dyeing wastewater, the occurrence characteristic of COD was: soluble>supra colloidal>colloidal>settleable; However, for protein, the supra colloidal was dominant, followed by the soluble. The feature of the polysaccharide was consistent with COD’s. In the wastewater, 29.66% of COD could be attributed to proteins and 3.45% of the COD could be attributed to polysaccharides. (2) The relationship among the forms of COD in the primary sedimentation tank, aerobic tank, secondary sedimentation tank, and reverse osmosis-treated concentrated effluent was consistent, that was: soluble>colloidal>supra colloidal>settleable. (3) In the primary sedimentation tank, the settleable COD was almost completely removed; In the aerobic tank, the residual super colloidal COD was not much; After MBR-RO treatment, the COD in the reverse osmosis concentrated water was almost dissolved and only a little presented in other forms.


2002 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 177-183 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laurence D. Fechter ◽  
David L. Johnson ◽  
Robert A. Lynch

2011 ◽  
Vol 261-263 ◽  
pp. 1831-1835
Author(s):  
Guo Gang Qiao ◽  
Da Jun Yuan ◽  
Bo Liu

Red clay soil is widely distributed in south China, the microstructure of red clay soil was studied applying scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and the X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD) test found that a large number of swelling inducing minerals, for example, montmorillonite, illite-montmorillonite or chlorite-smectite were contained in the red clay soil. Shield tunneling in this kind of stratum is prone to arising “cake” and “arch” phenomena and it prone to lead screw conveyor device unsmooth dumping, so soil improvement measures must be taken. Foam as the most advanced soil conditioner has been widely used in shield construction. Using self-developed foam agent, experimental research on foam conditioning red clay soil was carried out, test results show that foam can not only significantly reduce the soil shear strength, but also can greatly enhance the soil's compressibility and fluidity, which is significant for the smooth dumping and excavation face stability maintenance.


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