Long-term consolidation behavior of solidified slurry-like muds subjected to various freezing–thawing cycles

Abstract

Solidification technology is widely used for treating slurry-like muds (MS) due to its efficiency and effectiveness. Numerous studies have investigated the mechanical properties of solidified MS, yet its long-term deformation behavior and the influence of freezing–thawing (FT) cycles remain ambiguous. This study presents an experimental investigation on the long-term consolidation properties of solidified MS subjected to various FT cycles. Three groups of solidified MS samples with different initial water contents and cementitious binder contents are subjected to 0, 1, 5, and 10 FT cycles. Then, a series of long-term oedometer tests and microscopic analyses are conducted accordingly. The results indicate that the increasing FT cycles lead to the degradation of the soil microstructure, thereby weakening the ability of solidified MS to resist long-term consolidation deformation. Specifically, after 10 FT cycles, the total strain increases by at least 1.12 times and the secondary consolidation coefficient (C_a) increases by 1.83 times, compared to solidified MS without FT cycles. It is found that the compression yield stress decreases exponentially as FT cycles increase, such decrease exhibits more pronounced for the samples with FT cycles smaller than 5. Based on the relationship between C_a and vertical effective stress for solidified MS subjected to different FT cycles, three distinct stages in the compression process are identified. As the number of FT cycles increases, the vertical stress required for the transition into the second stage decreases.

Graphical abstract

Keywords

solidified slurry-like MS / FT cycles / long-term oedometer tests / consolidation behavior / compression process

References

[1] Huang Y H , Dong C , Zhang C L , Xu K . A dredged material solidification treatment for fill soils in East China: A case history. Marine Georesources and Geotechnology, 2017, 35(6): 865–872

[2] Nguyen T T M , Rabbanifar S , Brake N A , Qian Q , Kibodeaux K , Crochet H E , Oruji S , Whitt R , Farrow J , Belaire B . . Stabilization of silty clayey dredged material. Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering, 2018, 30(9): 04018199

[3] Crocetti P , Gonzalez-Camejo J , Li K , Foglia A , Eusebi A L , Fatone F . An overview of operations and processes for circular management of dredged sediments. Waste Management, 2022, 146: 20–35

[4] Wang Y F , Zhang L X , Zhang Z E , Liu H , Yin J . Compression behavior of metakaolin and sodium silicate treated high water content dredged clay for use as construction fill. Construction and Building Materials, 2024, 449: 138366

[5] Preetham H , Nayak S . Geotechnical investigations on marine clay stabilized using granulated blast furnace slag and cement. International Journal of Geosynthetics and Ground Engineering, 2019, 5(4): 28

[6] Xie M X , Zheng J J , Zhang R J , Cui L , Miao C . Performance of a combined retaining wall structure supporting a high embankment on a steep slope: Case study. International Journal of Geomechanics, 2020, 20(6): 05020002

[7] Ng C W W , Liu G B , Li Q . Investigation of the long-term tunnel settlement mechanisms of the first metro line in Shanghai. Canadian Geotechnical Journal, 2013, 50(6): 674–684

[8] Mesri G , Funk J R . Settlement of the Kansai international airport islands. Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering, 2015, 141(2): 04014102

[9] Mendoza C , Caicedo B , Duque J . Technical report on the compression, structure, and creep behaviors of lacustrine soil deposits in Bogotá, Colombia. Soil and Foundation, 2022, 62(5): 101215

[10] Bjerrum L . Geotechnical problems involved in foundations of structures in the North Sea. Geotechnique, 1973, 23(3): 319–358

[11] Shahriar A R , Jadid R . An experimental investigation on the effect of thixotropic aging on primary and secondary compression of reconstituted dredged clays. Applied Clay Science, 2018, 162: 524–533

[12] Wagner N , Largent M , Stewart J P , Beyzaei C , Murphy D , Butkovich J , Egan J A . Stress history-dependent secondary compression of San Francisco Bay region old bay clays. Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering, 2021, 147(7): 04021045

[13] Kinslev E M , Hededal O , Rocchi I , Zania V . Primary and secondary consolidation characteristics of a high plasticity overconsolidated clay in compression and swelling. Soil and Foundation, 2023, 63(6): 101375

[14] Lorenzo G A , Bergado D T . Fundamental characteristics of cement-admixed clay in deep mixing. Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering, 2006, 18(2): 161–174

[15] Mengue E , Mroueh H , Lancelot L , Medjo Eko R . Physicochemical and consolidation properties of compacted lateritic soil treated with cement. Soil and Foundation, 2017, 57(1): 60–79

[16] He X , Chen Y , Li Y , Guo D , Xue Q , Wang S , Wang P , Wan Y , Liu L . Consolidation behavior and microstructure properties of cement-treated dredged soil during the stress curing. Marine Georesources and Geotechnology, 2021, 40(4): 500–510

[17] Shu Y H , Zhang J S , Fang A N , Wu Y Q , Qin R H , Miao P . Effect of coupled chloride salt erosion and freeze−thaw on the dynamic mechanical properties of EPS cement soils. Construction and Building Materials, 2023, 375: 130951

[18] Bobet A , Hwang J H , Johnston C T , Santagata M . One-dimensional consolidation behavior of cement-treated organic soil. Canadian Geotechnical Journal, 2011, 48(7): 1100–1115

[19] Venda Oliveira P J , Correia A A , Garcia M R . Effect of stress level and binder composition on secondary compression of an artificially stabilized soil. Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering, 2013, 139(5): 810–820

[20] YangAYangSLiangCFengA. Research on creep and long-term strength characteristics of solidified dredger mud. Journal of Natural Disasters, 2020, 29(3): 28–35 (in Chinese)

[21] Horpibulsuk S , Bergado D T , Lorenzo G A . Compressibility of cement-admixed clays at high water content. Geotechnique, 2004, 54(2): 151–154

[22] Hong Z S , Yin J , Cui Y J . Compression behaviour of reconstituted soils at high initial water contents. Geotechnique, 2010, 60(9): 691–700

[23] Xu G , Gao Y , Hong Z , Ding J W . Sedimentation behavior of four dredged slurries in China. Marine Georesources and Geotechnology, 2012, 30(2): 143–156

[24] He Y , Xu Y , Lv Y , Nie L , Kong F , Yang S , Wang H , Li T . Characterization of unfrozen water in highly organic turfy soil during freeze–thaw by nuclear magnetic resonance. Engineering Geology, 2023, 312: 106937

[25] Liu J , Wang Y , Lu Y , Feng Q , Zhang F , Qi C , Wei J , Kanungo D P . Effect of polyvinyl acetate stabilization on the swelling-shrinkage properties of expansive soil. International Journal of Polymer Science, 2017, 2017(1): 8128020

[26] Wang T , Li P , Liu Y , Hou J , Li Z , Ren Z , Cheng S , Zhao J , Hinkelmann R . Experimental investigation of freeze-thaw meltwater compound erosion and runoff energy consumption on loessal slopes. Catena, 2020, 185: 104310

[27] Zhao G T , Zou W L , Han Z , Wang D , Wang X . Evolution of soil–water and shrinkage characteristics of an expansive clay during freeze–thaw and drying-wetting cycles. Cold Regions Science and Technology, 2021, 186: 103275

[28] Kong F , Nie L , Xu Y , Rui X , He Y , Zhang T , Wang Y , Du C , Bao C . Effects of freeze–thaw cycles on the erodibility and microstructure of soda-saline loessal soil in Northeastern China. Catena, 2022, 209: 105812

[29] Zou W L , Ding L Q , Han Z , Wang X . Effects of freeze–thaw cycles on the moisture sensitivity of a compacted clay. Engineering Geology, 2020, 278: 105832

[30] Tang L , Cong S Y , Geng L , Ling X , Gan F . The effect of freeze–thaw cycling on the mechanical properties of expansive soils. Cold Regions Science and Technology, 2018, 145: 197–207

[31] Kamei T , Ahmed A , Shibi T . Effect of freeze–thaw cycles on durability and strength of very soft clay soil stabilised with recycled Bassanite. Cold Regions Science and Technology, 2012, 82: 124–129

[32] Qin H R , Wang Y H , Wang Y N . Mechanical properties and microscopic mechanism of active MgO-fly ash solidified saline soil in seasonal freezing areas. Construction and Building Materials, 2023, 393: 132093

[33] Xu Z , Zhang R , Zheng J , Liu S J . Laboratory and field experimental study on efficiency of vacuum preloading–flocculation-solidification combined method for slurry-like mud treatment. Acta Geotechnica, 2024, 19(8): 5417–5432

[34] Gao Y C , Zhang R J , Zheng J J , Chen B , Xiao H . Effects of freezing–thawing cycles on mechanical properties of slurry-like mud treated by physicochemical combination method. Bulletin of Engineering Geology and the Environment, 2025, 84(6): 1–16

[35] ASTM. Standard Test Methods for Freezing and Thawing Compacted Soil-Cement Mixtures, ASTM D560/D560M-16. West Conshohocken, PA: ASTM, 2016

[36] GB/T50123-2019. Standard for Geotechnical Testing Method. Beijing: National Standardization Administration of China, 2019

[37] Li Y , Hu X , Zhang H , Zheng H , Xu C . Nonlinear Burgers model for sliding zone soil subjected to cyclic seepage pressure and its applications to the deformation analysis of landslide. Acta Geotechnica, 2025, 20(2): 743–763

[38] Butterfield R . A natural compression law for soils. Geotechnique, 1979, 29(4): 469–480

[39] Mesri G , Godlewski P M . Time-and stress-compressibility interrelationship. Journal of the Geotechnical Engineering Division, 1977, 103(5): 417–430

[40] Feng T W , Lee J Y , Lee Y J . Consolidation behavior of a soft mud treated with small cement content. Engineering Geology, 2001, 59(3-4): 327–335

[41] Suneel M , Park L K , Im J C . Compressibility characteristics of Korean marine clay. Marine Georesources and Geotechnology, 2008, 26(2): 111–127

[42] Nash D F T , Sills G C , Davison L R . One-dimensional consolidation testing of soft clay from Bothkennar. Geotechnique, 1992, 42(2): 241–256

[43] Jiang N , Wang C , Wu Q , Li S . Influence of structure and liquid limit on the secondary compressibility of soft soils. Journal of Marine Science and Engineering, 2020, 8(9): 627

[44] Wu Z , Deng Y , Cui Y , Zhou A , Feng Q , Xue H . Experimental study on creep behavior in oedometer tests of reconstituted soft clays. International Journal of Geomechanics, 2018, 19(3): 04018198

[45] Powell J S , Take W A , Siemens G , Remenda V H . Time-dependent behaviour of the Bearpaw Shale in oedometric loading and unloading. Canadian Geotechnical Journal, 2012, 49(4): 427–441

[46] Wang D , Abriak N E , Zentar R . One-dimensional consolidation of lime-treated dredged harbour sediments. European Journal of Environmental and Civil Engineering, 2015, 19(2): 199–218

RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS

Higher Education Press