Shareef, A.H.; Al-Neami, M.A.; Rahil, F.H. Field Simulation Technique to Enhance the Mechanical Strength and Elemental Composition of Soft Clay Soil Using Thermal Treatment. Minerals2024, 14, 41.
Shareef, A.H.; Al-Neami, M.A.; Rahil, F.H. Field Simulation Technique to Enhance the Mechanical Strength and Elemental Composition of Soft Clay Soil Using Thermal Treatment. Minerals 2024, 14, 41.
Shareef, A.H.; Al-Neami, M.A.; Rahil, F.H. Field Simulation Technique to Enhance the Mechanical Strength and Elemental Composition of Soft Clay Soil Using Thermal Treatment. Minerals2024, 14, 41.
Shareef, A.H.; Al-Neami, M.A.; Rahil, F.H. Field Simulation Technique to Enhance the Mechanical Strength and Elemental Composition of Soft Clay Soil Using Thermal Treatment. Minerals 2024, 14, 41.
Abstract
: Clay covers a substantial portion of the Earth. Such soil covers Iraq’s central and southern regions, where the depth of the clay may reach 150 m. All enhancement techniques and methods for transporting large loads cease to function or become prohibitively expensive in such soils. In this case, thermal treatment is the most effective method. In this study, a novel heating system was created and produced utilizing gas as the heat source via boreholes that simulate reality. The borehole heating cases were planted inside soft clay soil to enhance the soil. Different parameters were investigated, including the spacing between boreholes (3, 4, and 5 times the outer diameter of the borehole), the heating depth (1, 1.5, 2, and 2.5 times the width of the model footing), the duration of heating (2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 hrs), and the pattern (square, circular, triangular). The results showed the strength and behavior of the soil treated with heated boreholes at varying spacings, depths, patterns, and heating periods. The best results were found for a spacing, depth, and heating time of three times the outer diameter of the borehole, two times the width of the footing model, and eight hours, respectively. The effect of the heated borehole casing pattern was small when the heated borehole casing was used. The experiments conducted on heated soil showed that the undrained shear strength (Cu) increased from 14 to 360 kPa and then dropped to 140 kPa (as an average with depth). In contrast, the average angle of internal friction (Ø) rose from 0 to 52 degrees and decreased to 16 degrees (as an average with depth) from the center of the heating model to the furthest point affected by heating. In addition, the EDS pattern showed that components like silicon, aluminum, and iron dropped at 300 °C and rose at 400 °C in the treated soils. At 200 °C, the calcium content rose, and then dropped dramatically at 400 °C. The carbon percentage increased at 300 °C and decreased at 400 °C. The elements’ proportions showed little change or remained stable at temperatures between 400 °C and 600 °C.
Copyright:
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