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Sustainable Improvement of the Crack Resistance of Cohesive Soils

Author

Listed:
  • Michael Z. Izzo

    (Department of Civil Engineering, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, USA)

  • Marta Miletić

    (Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering, San Diego State University, 5500 Campanile Dr, San Diego, CA 92182, USA)

Abstract

Desiccation cracking of cohesive soils is the development of cracks on the soil surface as a result of a reduction in the soil moisture content. The decrease in soil surface area owing to the desiccation of cohesive soils has an undesirable impact on the mechanical, hydrological, thermal, and physico-chemical properties. Many efforts have been made to improve the desiccation crack resistance of cohesive soils, but the current solutions raise a number of environmental issues, increasing the demand for sustainable soil improvement alternatives. Therefore, the main objective of this study is to investigate novel eco-friendly soil improvement techniques, such as recycled carpet fibers and a gelatin-based bioplastic, and their effect on desiccation cracking in cohesive soils. The improvement of soil crack resistance was studied by conducting desiccation cracking tests on plain and improved soils. In addition, image processing was conducted to quantitatively describe the effect of soil improvement type on the geometrical characteristics of crack patterns. Each soil improvement technique enhanced the soil strength and reduced cracking at room temperature, at an elevated temperature, and when subjecting to cyclic wetting and drying. The addition of bioplastics proved to be the most effective solution, thus demonstrating a viable option to advance future sustainable engineering practices.

Suggested Citation

  • Michael Z. Izzo & Marta Miletić, 2019. "Sustainable Improvement of the Crack Resistance of Cohesive Soils," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(20), pages 1-14, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:11:y:2019:i:20:p:5806-:d:278250
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Haibin Wei & Qinglin Li & Leilei Han & Shuanye Han & Fuyu Wang & Yangpeng Zhang & Zhao Chen, 2019. "Experimental Research on Deformation Characteristics of Using Silty Clay Modified by Oil Shale Ash and Fly Ash as the Subgrade Material after Freeze-Thaw Cycles," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(18), pages 1-19, September.
    2. Cesar Hidalgo & Gloria Carvajal & Fredy Muñoz, 2019. "Laboratory Evaluation of Finely Milled Brick Debris as a Soil Stabilizer," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(4), pages 1-12, February.
    3. José Luis Pastor & Roberto Tomás & Miguel Cano & Adrián Riquelme & Erick Gutiérrez, 2019. "Evaluation of the Improvement Effect of Limestone Powder Waste in the Stabilization of Swelling Clayey Soil," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(3), pages 1-14, January.
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    Cited by:

    1. Aijun Chen & Chaohua Li & Shanshan Zhao & Bai Yang & Chuanyang Ding, 2023. "Study on the Dynamic Mechanism of the Desiccation Crack Initiation and Propagation in Red Clay," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(14), pages 1-18, July.

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