• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.10 no.6
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• pp.793-806
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• 2016

The pozzolanic characteristics of a sludge incinerated into ash were determined in this study. Lime is commonly used as a stabilizer for the treatment of soils, whereas sewage sludge ash (SSA) is often applied with lime to improve soft subgrade soil. In this study, a cohesive soil categorized as A-4 (low-plasticity clay) by AASHTO classifications was mixed with SSA/lime with a 3:1 ratio. Nano-$SiO_2$ was also added to the soil. To identify changes in the workability, strength, permeability, and shear strength of the soft subgrade soil, basic soil tests were conducted, and the microstructure of the treated soil was analyzed. The results indicate that SSA/lime mixtures improve the properties of soft subgrade soil and transform the soil from "poor subgrade soil" to "good to excellent subgrade soil" with a CBR > 8. Additionally, the addition of 2% nano-$SiO_2$ increases the unconfined compressive strength of soft subgrade soil treated with SSA/lime mixture by approximately 17 kPa. However, the swelling of the treated soil increased by approximately 0.1% after the addition of nano-$SiO_2$ and lime. Thus, soil swelling should be considered before lime and nano-$SiO_2$ are applied to soft subgrade soil.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.20 no.6
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• pp.505-516
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• 2020

In recent years, Nano-technology significantly invaded the field of Geotechnical engineering, particularly in soil stabilisation techniques. Stabilisation of weak soil is envisioned to modify various soil characteristics by the addition of natural or synthetic materials into the virgin soil. In the present study, laboratory experiments were executed to investigate the influence of nano-silica particles in the consistency limits, compressive strength of the soft clay blended with cement. The results revealed that the high compressibility behaviour of soft clay modified to medium-stiff condition with fewer dosages of cement and nano-silica. The mechanism behind the strength development is verified with the previous researches as well as from Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction test (XRD) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) analysis. Based on the results, the presence of nano-silica in soft clay blended with cement has a positive effect on the behaviour of soil. This technique proves to be very economical and less detrimental to the environment.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.239-253
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• 2022

Suitable techniques to stabilize organic soil and improve its engineering behaviour are in demand. Despite various alternatives, nano-additives proved to be an effective stabilizer owing to their strength enhancing properties. The study focuses on using nano-silica as a potential stabilizer to improve organic silt. Soil was treated with four dosages of nano-silica namely 0.2%, 0.4%, 0.6% and 0.8% of dry weight of the soil. Nano-silica treated soil showed a strength increase of nearly 25% at a dosage of 0.4% after curing for two hours. Strength of the treated soil improved with age. Strength improved by nearly 62.9% after 28 days of curing and 221.4% after 180 days of curing due to formation of Calcium - Silicate - Hydrate (CSH) gel in the soil matrix. Dosage of 0.6% nano-silica is observed to be the optimum dosage. Coefficient of permeability and compression index showed an increase by 13.32 and 5.5 times respectively owing to aggregation of particles and creation of void spaces as visualized from the scanning electron micrographs. Further model foundation study and numerical parametric studies using PLAXIS 2D indicate that optimized and economic results can be obtained by varying the additive dosage with depth.

• Advances in nano research
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• v.12 no.6
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• pp.549-566
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• 2022

Mining of ore minerals (sfalerite, cinnabar, and chalcopyrite) from the old mine has led in significant environmental effects as contamination of soils and plants and acidification of water. Also, nanoparticles (NP) have obtained global importance because of their widespread usage in daily life, unique properties, and rapid development in the field of nanotechnology. Regarding their usage in various fields, it is suggested that soil is the final environmental sink for NPs. Nanoparticles with excessive reactivity and deliverability may be carried out as amendments to enhance soil quality, mitigate soil contaminations, make certain secure land-software of the traditional change substances and enhance soil erosion control. Meanwhile, there's no record on the usage of Nano superior substances for mine soil reclamation. In this study, five soil specimens have been tested at 4 sites inside the region of mine (<100 m) to study zeolites, and iron sulfide nanoparticles. Also, through using Artificial Neural Network (ANN) and Extreme Learning Machine (ELM), this study has tried to appropriately estimate the mechanical properties of soil under the effect of these Nano particles. Considering the RMSE and R2 values, Zeolite Nano materials could enhance the mine soil fine through increasing the clay-silt fractions, increasing the water holding capacity, removing toxins and improving nutrient levels. Also, adding iron sulfide minerals to the soils would possibly exacerbate the soil acidity problems at a mining site.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Soil and Groundwater Environment Conference
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• 2002.09a
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• pp.183-186
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• 2002

Experiments in the batch soil/aqueous systems were conducted to compare the sorption onto soil and extraction efficiency of sorbed phenanthrene in the presence of the micelle-forming anionic surfactant(SDS) or the micelle-like amphiphilic nano-sized polyurethane particles. Micelle-like amphiphilic nano-sized polyurethane(APU) particles synthesized from amphiphilic urethane acrylate anionomers(UAA) could solubilize phenanthrene within their hydrophobic interiors as the same way that surfactants micelles did in aqueous phase.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.103-113
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• 2020

Gypsiferous soils classified as problematic soils due to the dissolution of gypsum. Presence of gypsum in the soils texture subjected to steady flow can cause serious damages for the buildings, roads and water transmission canals. Therefore, researchers have conducted a series of physical, mechanical and microstructural laboratory tests to study the effect of gypsum leaching on the geotechnical properties of a lean clay containing 0%, 3%, 6%, 9%, 12%, and 15% raw gypsum. In addition, a combination of two nano-chemical stabilizers named Terrasil and Zycobond was used in equal proportions to stabilize the gypsiferous clayey samples. The results indicated that gypsum leaching considerably changed the physical and mechanical properties of gypsiferous soils. Further, adding the combination of Terrasil and Zycobond nano-polymeric stabilizers to the gypsiferous soil led to a remarkable reduction in the settlement drop, compressibility, and electrical conductivity (EC) of the water passing through the specimens, resulting in improving the engineering properties of the soil samples. The X-ray diffraction patterns indicate that stabilization by terrasil and zycobond causes formation of new peaks such as CSH and alteration of pure soil structure by adding raw gypsum. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) images show the denser texture of the soil samples due to chemical stabilization and decrease of Si/Al ratio which indicates by Energy dispersive X-ray (EDS) interpretation, proved the enhance of shear strength in stabilized samples.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.85-95
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• 2024

This study investigates the influence of nano-silica and basalt fiber content, curing duration, and freeze-thaw cycles on the static and dynamic properties of soil specimens. A comprehensive series of tests, including Unconfined Compressive Strength (UCS), static triaxial, and dynamic triaxial tests, were conducted. Additionally, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis was employed to examine the microstructure of treated specimens. Results indicate that a combination of 1% fiber and 10% nano-silica yields optimal soil enhancement. The failure patterns of specimens varied significantly depending on the type of additive. Static triaxial tests revealed a notable reduction in the brittleness index (IB) with the inclusion of basalt fibers. Specimens containing 10% nano-silica and 1% fiber exhibited superior shear strength parameters and UCS. The highest cohesion and friction angle were obtained for treated specimens with 10% nano-silica and 1% fiber, 90 kPa and 37.8°, respectively. Furthermore, an increase in curing time led to a significant increase in UCS values for specimens containing nano-silica. Additionally, the addition of fiber resulted in a decrease in IB, while the addition of nano-silica led to an increase in IB. Increasing nano-silica content in stabilized specimens enhanced shear modulus while decreasing the damping ratio. Freeze-thaw cycles were found to decrease the cohesion of treated specimens based on the results of static triaxial tests. Specimens treated with 10% nano-silica and 1% fiber experienced a reduction in shear modulus and an increase in the damping ratio under freeze-thaw conditions. SEM analysis reveals dense microstructure in nano-silica stabilized specimens, enhanced adhesion of soil particles and fibers, and increased roughness on fiber surfaces.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Soil and Groundwater Environment Conference
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• 2005.10a
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• pp.135-137
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• 2005

• Mycobiology
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.39-45
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• 2010

White rot, which is caused by Sclerotium cepivorum, is a lethal disease affecting green onions. Three different types of nanosilver liquid (WA-CV-WA13B, WA-AT-WB13R, and WA-PR-WB13R) were tested in several different concentrations on three types of media to assess their antifungal activities. Results from in vitro experiments showed that all three of the nano-silver liquids had more than 90% inhibition rates at a concentration of 7 ppm. Greenhouse experiments revealed that all of the nano-silver liquids increased biomass and dry weights, and there were minimal changes in the population of various bacteria and fungi from the soil of greenhouse-cultivated green onions. In addition, a soil chemical analysis showed that there were minimal changes in soil composition.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.457-463
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• 2011

This study was carried out to compare the toxicity of nano and micrometer particles with Cu and Zn on soil microbial community and metal uptake of buck wheat. In microcosm system, soil was incubated for 14 days after soil aliquots were artificially contaminated with 1,000 mg/kg Cu, Zn nano and micro particles, respectively. After then, buck wheat was planted in incubating soils and non incubating soils. After 14 days, we compared bioaccumulation of metal, and microbial carbon substrate utilization patterns between incubating soils and non-incubating soils. The enrichment factor (EF) values of incubating samples were greater than non-incubating soils. Dehydrogenase activity had been inhibited by Cu and Zn nanoparticles in non-incubating soil, as well as it had been inhibited by Zn micro particles in incubating soils. Results of biolog test, it was not significant different between nano particles and micro particles. It cannot be generalized that nanoparticles of metal are always more toxic to soil microbial activity and diversity than micrometer-sized particles and the toxicity needs to be assessed on a case-by-case basis.