Experimental Study on the Strength Characteristics of Modified Guilin Red Clay
To address the engineering challenges associated with Guilin red clay, such as its potentially low strength and unfavorable mechanical behavior, this study investigated the effectiveness of lignin and lime as modifiers. Consolidation undrained triaxial tests and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) we...
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| Format: | Article |
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MDPI AG
2025-07-01
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/15/14/2533 |
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| author | Wenwu Chen Zhigao Xie Jiguang Chen Mengyao Hong Xiaobo Wang Haofeng Zhou Bai Yang |
| author_facet | Wenwu Chen Zhigao Xie Jiguang Chen Mengyao Hong Xiaobo Wang Haofeng Zhou Bai Yang |
| author_sort | Wenwu Chen |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | To address the engineering challenges associated with Guilin red clay, such as its potentially low strength and unfavorable mechanical behavior, this study investigated the effectiveness of lignin and lime as modifiers. Consolidation undrained triaxial tests and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were employed to evaluate the strength characteristics and microstructural changes in modified clay specimens with varying dosages. The results demonstrate distinct strengthening mechanisms: Lignin exhibits an optimal dosage (6%), significantly increasing cohesion and internal friction angle through physical reinforcement (“soil fiber” formation), but higher dosages (8%) lead to particle separation and strength reduction. In contrast, lime provides continuous and substantial strength enhancement with increasing dosage (up to 8%), primarily through chemical reactions producing cementitious compounds (e.g., C-S-H, C-A-H) that densify the structure. Consequently, lime-modified clay shows significantly higher cohesion and internal friction angle compared to lignin-modified clay at equivalent or higher dosages, with corresponding stress–strain curves shifting from enhanced (strain-hardening) to softening behavior. These findings provide practical insights into red clay improvement in geotechnical engineering applications. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-146723cefa8b450ca31a2a995df30291 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2075-5309 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Buildings |
| spelling | doaj-art-146723cefa8b450ca31a2a995df302912025-08-20T03:08:10ZengMDPI AGBuildings2075-53092025-07-011514253310.3390/buildings15142533Experimental Study on the Strength Characteristics of Modified Guilin Red ClayWenwu Chen0Zhigao Xie1Jiguang Chen2Mengyao Hong3Xiaobo Wang4Haofeng Zhou5Bai Yang6School of Architecture and Transportation Engineering, Guilin University of Electronic Technology, Guilin 541004, ChinaSchool of Architecture and Transportation Engineering, Guilin University of Electronic Technology, Guilin 541004, ChinaSchool of Architecture and Transportation Engineering, Guilin University of Electronic Technology, Guilin 541004, ChinaSchool of Architecture and Transportation Engineering, Guilin University of Electronic Technology, Guilin 541004, ChinaSichuan Road & Bridge Group Co., Ltd., Chengdu 610041, ChinaSchool of Architecture and Transportation Engineering, Guilin University of Electronic Technology, Guilin 541004, ChinaSchool of Architecture and Transportation Engineering, Guilin University of Electronic Technology, Guilin 541004, ChinaTo address the engineering challenges associated with Guilin red clay, such as its potentially low strength and unfavorable mechanical behavior, this study investigated the effectiveness of lignin and lime as modifiers. Consolidation undrained triaxial tests and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were employed to evaluate the strength characteristics and microstructural changes in modified clay specimens with varying dosages. The results demonstrate distinct strengthening mechanisms: Lignin exhibits an optimal dosage (6%), significantly increasing cohesion and internal friction angle through physical reinforcement (“soil fiber” formation), but higher dosages (8%) lead to particle separation and strength reduction. In contrast, lime provides continuous and substantial strength enhancement with increasing dosage (up to 8%), primarily through chemical reactions producing cementitious compounds (e.g., C-S-H, C-A-H) that densify the structure. Consequently, lime-modified clay shows significantly higher cohesion and internal friction angle compared to lignin-modified clay at equivalent or higher dosages, with corresponding stress–strain curves shifting from enhanced (strain-hardening) to softening behavior. These findings provide practical insights into red clay improvement in geotechnical engineering applications.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/15/14/2533red clayligninlimestrength characteristicsmicrostructure |
| spellingShingle | Wenwu Chen Zhigao Xie Jiguang Chen Mengyao Hong Xiaobo Wang Haofeng Zhou Bai Yang Experimental Study on the Strength Characteristics of Modified Guilin Red Clay Buildings red clay lignin lime strength characteristics microstructure |
| title | Experimental Study on the Strength Characteristics of Modified Guilin Red Clay |
| title_full | Experimental Study on the Strength Characteristics of Modified Guilin Red Clay |
| title_fullStr | Experimental Study on the Strength Characteristics of Modified Guilin Red Clay |
| title_full_unstemmed | Experimental Study on the Strength Characteristics of Modified Guilin Red Clay |
| title_short | Experimental Study on the Strength Characteristics of Modified Guilin Red Clay |
| title_sort | experimental study on the strength characteristics of modified guilin red clay |
| topic | red clay lignin lime strength characteristics microstructure |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/15/14/2533 |
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