Research on the Thermal Conductivity and Microstructure of Calcium Lignosulfonate-Magnesium Oxide Solidified Loess

Loess, characterized by high porosity, a loose structure, and weak cementation, is highly prone to deformation and cracking under thermal stress, which significantly affects the bearing capacity of foundations and the stability of underground engineering structures. This study introduces an innovati...

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Main Authors: Yuwen Lu, Wuyu Zhang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-04-01
Series:Applied Sciences
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/8/4545
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author Yuwen Lu
Wuyu Zhang
author_facet Yuwen Lu
Wuyu Zhang
author_sort Yuwen Lu
collection DOAJ
description Loess, characterized by high porosity, a loose structure, and weak cementation, is highly prone to deformation and cracking under thermal stress, which significantly affects the bearing capacity of foundations and the stability of underground engineering structures. This study introduces an innovative approach that utilizes the eco-friendly modifier calcium lignosulfonate (CL) in combination with magnesium oxide (MgO) for the carbonation solidification treatment of loess. The research systematically investigated the thermal conductivity and underlying micro-mechanisms of the treated soil. A series of tests, including analyses of basic physical properties, measurements of thermal conductivity, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), were conducted to evaluate the effects of CL dosage, freeze–thaw cycles, moisture content, and dry density on the thermal conductivity of carbonation-solidified loess. The results indicate that carbonated solidified loess absorbed approximately 6% of CO<sub>2</sub>, while effectively reducing its collapsibility grade to a slightly collapsible classification. Additionally, its thermal conductivity decreased by 16.7%, thereby mitigating the influence of various environmental factors. Based on the experimental results, a microscopic mechanism model was developed. This study presents a sustainable and innovative technical solution for stabilizing loess foundations in cold regions.
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spelling doaj-art-039cca0d02dc4cbca789c6b89f35c83b2025-08-20T02:17:14ZengMDPI AGApplied Sciences2076-34172025-04-01158454510.3390/app15084545Research on the Thermal Conductivity and Microstructure of Calcium Lignosulfonate-Magnesium Oxide Solidified LoessYuwen Lu0Wuyu Zhang1School of Civil Engineering and Water Resources, Qinghai University, Xining 810016, ChinaSchool of Civil Engineering and Water Resources, Qinghai University, Xining 810016, ChinaLoess, characterized by high porosity, a loose structure, and weak cementation, is highly prone to deformation and cracking under thermal stress, which significantly affects the bearing capacity of foundations and the stability of underground engineering structures. This study introduces an innovative approach that utilizes the eco-friendly modifier calcium lignosulfonate (CL) in combination with magnesium oxide (MgO) for the carbonation solidification treatment of loess. The research systematically investigated the thermal conductivity and underlying micro-mechanisms of the treated soil. A series of tests, including analyses of basic physical properties, measurements of thermal conductivity, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), were conducted to evaluate the effects of CL dosage, freeze–thaw cycles, moisture content, and dry density on the thermal conductivity of carbonation-solidified loess. The results indicate that carbonated solidified loess absorbed approximately 6% of CO<sub>2</sub>, while effectively reducing its collapsibility grade to a slightly collapsible classification. Additionally, its thermal conductivity decreased by 16.7%, thereby mitigating the influence of various environmental factors. Based on the experimental results, a microscopic mechanism model was developed. This study presents a sustainable and innovative technical solution for stabilizing loess foundations in cold regions.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/8/4545calcium lignosulfonateloessMgOcarbonationthermal conductivitymicrostructure analyses
spellingShingle Yuwen Lu
Wuyu Zhang
Research on the Thermal Conductivity and Microstructure of Calcium Lignosulfonate-Magnesium Oxide Solidified Loess
Applied Sciences
calcium lignosulfonate
loess
MgO
carbonation
thermal conductivity
microstructure analyses
title Research on the Thermal Conductivity and Microstructure of Calcium Lignosulfonate-Magnesium Oxide Solidified Loess
title_full Research on the Thermal Conductivity and Microstructure of Calcium Lignosulfonate-Magnesium Oxide Solidified Loess
title_fullStr Research on the Thermal Conductivity and Microstructure of Calcium Lignosulfonate-Magnesium Oxide Solidified Loess
title_full_unstemmed Research on the Thermal Conductivity and Microstructure of Calcium Lignosulfonate-Magnesium Oxide Solidified Loess
title_short Research on the Thermal Conductivity and Microstructure of Calcium Lignosulfonate-Magnesium Oxide Solidified Loess
title_sort research on the thermal conductivity and microstructure of calcium lignosulfonate magnesium oxide solidified loess
topic calcium lignosulfonate
loess
MgO
carbonation
thermal conductivity
microstructure analyses
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/8/4545
work_keys_str_mv AT yuwenlu researchonthethermalconductivityandmicrostructureofcalciumlignosulfonatemagnesiumoxidesolidifiedloess
AT wuyuzhang researchonthethermalconductivityandmicrostructureofcalciumlignosulfonatemagnesiumoxidesolidifiedloess