The effect of freeze-thaw cycles on mechanical properties of fine-grained soil modified by cement and nanocement

Abstract

Freeze-Thaw (F-T) cycles cause substantial detriment to geotechnical structures, especially roads, every year. Recently, researchers have increasingly used nanomaterials to improve soil resilience. The effect of soil stabilization using nanocement and cement on resistance changes during F-T cycles was investigated in this study. For this purpose, clayey soil was blended with 1, 2, 3, and 4% stabilizers based on dry unit weight. The prepared mixtures were subjected to Atterberg limits and standard compaction tests. Increases in stabilizers improved the optimal moisture content, liquid limit, and plastic limit while decreasing the maximum dry density and plastic limit. Then, the cylindrical specimens of the pure and stabilized soils were prepared and cured within 42 days. Finally, Unconfined Compressive Strength (UCS) tests were performed on the specimens after applying zero, three, six, and nine F-T cycles. The stabilized soil's UCS increased to around 12 times that of the pure soil. By applying nine F-T cycles to pure soil specimens, the UCS value was reduced on average to 49%, which was further reduced to 36% and 31% after adding cement and nanocement, respectively.