Mechanical Properties of Loess Treated by Calcium Lignosulfonate

Abstract

The chemical stabilization can consolidate the soil particles with the chemical reactions. In this paper, calcium lignosulfonate, a polymer eco-friendly material, was used for the treatment of the collapsible loess. Based on lots of tests such as Atterberg limits, uniaxial compression, loading-unloading, and X-ray diffraction, the stabilization mechanisms and strength characteristics of the calcium lignosulfonate treated loess were analyzed and compared with the NaOH and Na2 On SiO2 treated specimens, respectively. Calcium lignosulfonate can reduce the thickness of the electric double layer of particles and produce silica and carbonate cementations, thus increasing the loess strength significantly and reducing energy dissipation. The strength of the treated loess increased with the increasing amount of calcium lignosulfonate. Also, the results prove that calcium lignosulfonate is a new eco-friendly stabilizing agent.