Compressive and tensile strength enhancement of soft soils using nanocarbons
Mohd R. Taha,Jamal M. A. Alsharef,Tanveer A. Khan,Mubashir Aziz,Maryam Gaber
Abstract
Technological innovations in sustainable materials for soil improvement have attracted considerable interest due to energy crisis and environmental concerns in recent years. This study presents results of a comprehensive investigation on utilization of nanocarbons in reinforcement of a residual soil mixed with 0, 10 and 20% bentonite. Effects of adding proportionate quantities (0, 0.05, 0.075, 0.1 and 0.2%) of carbon nanotubes and carbon nanofibers to soil samples of different plasticities were evaluated. The investigation revealed that the inclusion of nanocarbons into the soil samples significantly improved unconfined compressive strength, Young\'s modulus and indirect tensile strength. It was observed that carbon nanofibers showed better performance as compared to carbon nanotubes. The nanosized diameter and high aspect ratio of nanocarbons make it possible to distribute the reinforcing materials on a much smaller scale and bridge the inter-particles voids. As a result, a better \'soil-reinforcing material\' interaction is achieved and desired properties of the soil are improved at nanolevel.
Mohd R. Taha — 1.) Department of Civil and Structural Engineering, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia 2.) Institute for Environment and Development (LESTARI), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia
Jamal M. A. Alsharef and Maryam Gaber — Department of Civil and Structural Engineering, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia
Tanveer A. Khan — Department of Civil Engineering, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, Pakistan
Mubashir Aziz — Department of Civil Engineering, National University of Computer and Emerging Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan
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