Effects of Ettringite Formation on the Stability of Cement-Treated Sediments
This study explores the stabilization of dredged sediments classified as lean clay (CL) using hydrated lime, type III Portland cement, and compaction. While quicklime is commonly used in practice, this research explores alternative calcium-based binders with the aim of valorizing sediments for civil...
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MDPI AG
2025-04-01
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| author | Inácio Soares Ribeiro Diego de Freitas Fagundes Helena Paula Nierwinski |
| author_facet | Inácio Soares Ribeiro Diego de Freitas Fagundes Helena Paula Nierwinski |
| author_sort | Inácio Soares Ribeiro |
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| description | This study explores the stabilization of dredged sediments classified as lean clay (CL) using hydrated lime, type III Portland cement, and compaction. While quicklime is commonly used in practice, this research explores alternative calcium-based binders with the aim of valorizing sediments for civil engineering applications. The mechanical behavior of the treated materials was evaluated through an Unconfined Compressive Strength (UCS) test campaign, with the results interpreted using the porosity/volumetric cement content (<inline-formula><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><semantics><mrow><mrow><mrow><mi>η</mi></mrow><mo>/</mo><mrow><msub><mrow><mi>C</mi></mrow><mrow><mi>i</mi><mi>v</mi></mrow></msub></mrow></mrow></mrow></semantics></math></inline-formula>) index. This relationship assesses the influence of apparent dry density and cement content on the strength improvement of sediments, aiming to evaluate the suitability of the dredged sediments for engineering applications. A key feature of this study is the extended curing period of up to 90 days, which goes beyond the typical 28-day evaluations commonly found in the literature. Interestingly, strength degradation occurred at advanced curing ages compared to shorter curing times. To understand the mechanisms underlying this resistance degradation, the mixtures were subjected to X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). These tests identified the presence of the expansive sulfate-based compound ettringite, which is associated with swelling and failure in soils stabilized with calcium-based stabilizers. This research contributes to the field by demonstrating the limitations of calcium-based binders in stabilizing sulfate-bearing dredged materials and emphasizing the importance of long-term curing in assessing the durability of treated sediments. |
| format | Article |
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| issn | 2079-9276 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
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| spelling | doaj-art-55edefe1a53f456c96e8798ea8feb63a2025-08-20T02:33:48ZengMDPI AGResources2079-92762025-04-011457310.3390/resources14050073Effects of Ettringite Formation on the Stability of Cement-Treated SedimentsInácio Soares Ribeiro0Diego de Freitas Fagundes1Helena Paula Nierwinski2Postgraduate Program in Civil Engineering, Department of Civil Engineering, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis 88037-000, BrazilPostgraduate Program in Ocean Engineering, Department of Engineering, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande, Rio Grande 96203-900, BrazilPostgraduate Program in Civil Engineering, Department of Civil Engineering, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis 88037-000, BrazilThis study explores the stabilization of dredged sediments classified as lean clay (CL) using hydrated lime, type III Portland cement, and compaction. While quicklime is commonly used in practice, this research explores alternative calcium-based binders with the aim of valorizing sediments for civil engineering applications. The mechanical behavior of the treated materials was evaluated through an Unconfined Compressive Strength (UCS) test campaign, with the results interpreted using the porosity/volumetric cement content (<inline-formula><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><semantics><mrow><mrow><mrow><mi>η</mi></mrow><mo>/</mo><mrow><msub><mrow><mi>C</mi></mrow><mrow><mi>i</mi><mi>v</mi></mrow></msub></mrow></mrow></mrow></semantics></math></inline-formula>) index. This relationship assesses the influence of apparent dry density and cement content on the strength improvement of sediments, aiming to evaluate the suitability of the dredged sediments for engineering applications. A key feature of this study is the extended curing period of up to 90 days, which goes beyond the typical 28-day evaluations commonly found in the literature. Interestingly, strength degradation occurred at advanced curing ages compared to shorter curing times. To understand the mechanisms underlying this resistance degradation, the mixtures were subjected to X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). These tests identified the presence of the expansive sulfate-based compound ettringite, which is associated with swelling and failure in soils stabilized with calcium-based stabilizers. This research contributes to the field by demonstrating the limitations of calcium-based binders in stabilizing sulfate-bearing dredged materials and emphasizing the importance of long-term curing in assessing the durability of treated sediments.https://www.mdpi.com/2079-9276/14/5/73sediment stabilizationbeneficial use of dredged materialettringitesoil–cementenvironmental geotechnics |
| spellingShingle | Inácio Soares Ribeiro Diego de Freitas Fagundes Helena Paula Nierwinski Effects of Ettringite Formation on the Stability of Cement-Treated Sediments Resources sediment stabilization beneficial use of dredged material ettringite soil–cement environmental geotechnics |
| title | Effects of Ettringite Formation on the Stability of Cement-Treated Sediments |
| title_full | Effects of Ettringite Formation on the Stability of Cement-Treated Sediments |
| title_fullStr | Effects of Ettringite Formation on the Stability of Cement-Treated Sediments |
| title_full_unstemmed | Effects of Ettringite Formation on the Stability of Cement-Treated Sediments |
| title_short | Effects of Ettringite Formation on the Stability of Cement-Treated Sediments |
| title_sort | effects of ettringite formation on the stability of cement treated sediments |
| topic | sediment stabilization beneficial use of dredged material ettringite soil–cement environmental geotechnics |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2079-9276/14/5/73 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT inaciosoaresribeiro effectsofettringiteformationonthestabilityofcementtreatedsediments AT diegodefreitasfagundes effectsofettringiteformationonthestabilityofcementtreatedsediments AT helenapaulanierwinski effectsofettringiteformationonthestabilityofcementtreatedsediments |