Investigation Impact of Polymer Emulsion on Shear Strength of Aeolian Sand

مهندسی عمران فردوسی

Article 6, Volume 37, Issue 1 - Serial Number 45, April 2024, Pages 111-126   

Document Type: Original Article

DOI: 10.22067/jfcei.2024.82427.1229

Authors

Mahsa Heravi; Akbar Cheshmi^*

Department of Structure and Engineering Geology, College of Science, University of Tehran, Iran.

Abstract

The present study has investigated the effect of vinyl acrylic polymer emulsion (VA) on the shear strength of aeolian sands in the Khuzestan plain. For this purpose, after sampling the aeolian sands of the mentioned area, a standard compaction test was performed and the optimum water content and maximum dry density of the aeolian sand were determined. Then, solutions with percentages of 10, 20 and 30% of polymer material were made and added to the aeolian sand in such a way that it reached the optimum water content. The prepared soil with maximum dry density was placed in square metal molds kept in the laboratory for 1, 7, 14 and 21 days and then subjected to direct shear test. The results of the direct shear test on the stabilized samples showed that by increasing the curing time and the concentration of the polymer solution, cohesion and the shear strength increase and the angle of internal friction decreases. So the polymer solution with a concentration of 30% has caused a 146% increase in shear strength aeolian sand. Electron microscope images (SEM) show the creation of bridges between sand grains in the stabilized samples, which is the reason for the increased cohesion and shear strength of the samples.

Keywords

Aeolian sand; Shear strength; Cohesion; Internal friction angle; Polymer emulsion

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