Deterioration characteristics of cement-improved loess under dry-wet and freeze-thaw cycles

PLoS One. 2021 Jul 1;16(7):e0253199. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0253199. eCollection 2021.

Abstract

The effects of cement dosage, compaction coefficient, molding method (vertical vibration method and static pressure method), and dry-wet and freeze-thaw cycles on the mechanical strength of cement-improved loess (CIL) were studied to reveal its strength degradation law under dry-wet and freeze-thaw cycles. Results show that when using the vertical vibration molding method, the strength degradation effect of CIL can be improved by increasing the cement dosage and compaction coefficient; however, it is not obvious. Under the action of dry-wet cycle, damages, such as voids and cracks of CIL, develop continuously. Further, the strength deteriorates continuously and does not decrease after more than 15 dry-wet cycles. Therefore, the dry-wet cycle degradation system is selected by considering the most unfavorable conditions. In the process of freeze-thaw alternation, the pores and fissures of CIL develop and evolve continuously and the strength deteriorates continuously under the joint influence of water and low temperature. The strength tends to become stable after more than 12 freeze-thaw cycles. According to the safety principle, the deterioration coefficient of the freeze-thaw cycles is 0.3.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Coal Ash / chemistry*
  • Construction Materials / analysis*
  • Freezing*
  • Geologic Sediments / chemistry*
  • Shear Strength
  • Soil
  • Vibration*

Substances

  • Coal Ash
  • Soil

Grants and funding

This work was supported by the Scientific Research of Central Colleges of China for Chang'an University (No. 300102218212); the scientific project from Shaanxi Provincial Communication No. 19-27K and the scientific project from Shaanxi Provincial Communication No. 18-02K. Shaanxi XiFa (North line) Intercity Railway Co., Ltd provided funding in the form of salary to Hong-wei Sha. Shaanxi XiHan Intercity Railway Co., Ltd provided funding in the form of salary to Zong-hua Li. The funders but did not have any role in the study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript. The specific roles of these authors are articulated in the ‘author contributions’ section.