Study on static and dynamic mechanical behavior of expansive soil modified by oyster shell powder

Heliyon. 2024 Apr 15;10(8):e29699. doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e29699. eCollection 2024 Apr 30.

Abstract

To investigate the effect of oyster shell powder (OSP) on the static and dynamic properties of expansive soil, the mechanical properties of modified soil were obtained. Taking Ningming expansive soil as the research object, triaxial shear test, dynamic triaxial test and scanning electron microscope test were carried out on plain soil and 9 % expansive soil modified by oyster shell powder (ESMO). The results show that compared with plain soil, the effective cohesion of modified expansive soil with dosp < 1 mm (ESMO (dosp < 1 mm)) and dosp < 0.075 mm (ESMO (dosp < 0.075 mm)) is increased by 15.4 % and 32.8 %, respectively. Under cyclic loading, compared with plain soil, the plastic strain stability value of ESMO (dosp<0.075 mm) is reduced by 40.2 %, the pore water pressure stability value is reduced, and the stiffness is increased. The dynamic mechanical properties of ESMO (dosp<1 mm) showed the opposite trend. Through microscopic experimental analysis, the main reasons for this phenomenon are the particle size distribution, bonding form, and cementation of the two. The results can provide a theoretical basis for the practical application of ESMO and the establishment of constitutive model.

Keywords: Dynamic mechanical properties; Expansive soil; Microstructure; Oyster shell powder; Triaxial test.