Advances in Materials Science and Engineering
Volume 2019 (2019), Article ID 7126040, 12 pages
https://doi.org/10.1155/2019/7126040

Research Article

Microscopic Mechanism Affecting Shear Strength in Lignin-Treated Loess Samples

Wei Liu,¹ Juan Wang,¹ Gaochao Lin,² Li Wen,³ and Qian Wang⁴

¹Key Laboratory of Mechanics on Disaster and Environment in Western China, School of Civil Engineering and Mechanics, Lanzhou University, Tianshui South Road, 222, Lanzhou 730000, Gansu Province, China
²School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
³School of Information Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
⁴Key Laboratory of Loess Earthquake Engineering, China Earthquake Administration in Gansu Province, Donggang West Road, 450, Lanzhou 730000, Gansu Province, China

Correspondence should be addressed to Qian Wang; wangq0930@126.com

Received 18 December 2018; Accepted 20 March 2019; Published 16 May 2019

Academic Editor: Dimitrios E. Manolakos

Copyright © 2019 Wei Liu et al. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Abstract.

In China, engineers have worked to create additional usable land for building construction by flattening the ridges of hills and filling in the adjacent valleys. China’s Loess Plateau comprises a type of soil (loess) with a large pore structure that can collapse and become unstable when exposed to groundwater. Conventional valley fill materials include remolded loess or remolded loess treated with cement, lime, gypsum, or other stabilizing additives. These stabilizers are often detrimental to the surrounding environment. Moreover, loess treated with conventional stabilizers exhibits excessive brittleness, which is not suitable for building foundations. Adequate stability of the building foundations in the filled valleys is required to ensure public safety. In this study, we tested 50 remolded loess samples treated with a lignin polymer compound to determine its potential as a valley fill material. Triaxial tests, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) were used to study the mechanical characteristics of each sample, determine the effects of the lignin treatment on the loess, and identify the microscopic mechanism affecting shear stress in the lignin-treated loess. The corresponding development of excess pore pressure and volumetric responses under monotonic triaxial testing were also considered. Based on this study’s results, the optimum lignin content in the treated loess samples was 4%; lignin contents exceeding 4% decreased axial stress and increased dilation after saturation. The shear strength and strain-hardening phenomenon of the lignin-treated loess samples increased as the lignin content increased, while the excess pore water pressure decreased. Microscopically, the addition of lignin increased cohesion in the loess samples, while slightly contributing to the internal friction angle. The use of lignin as a stabilizing additive for valley fill material shows potential for controlling building foundation deformation by increasing soil strength and minimizing environmental impacts by maintaining the soil pH and limiting pollutant production.

1. Introduction

Loess—a type of soil with a large pore structure—is found all over the world including in Asia, Europe, and North and South America [1, 2]. In China, loess is primarily concentrated in the north and northwest areas of the country. The mechanical properties of loess are affected by water content [3], strain rate [4], and degree of saturation [5]. Most importantly, loess can collapse and become unstable when exposed to groundwater. Figure 1 depicts how the ground surface can be eroded by water.

Figure 1: Loess is eroded by water.

In China, engineers have worked to create additional usable land for building construction by flattening the ridges of hills and filling in the adjacent valleys. They are now applying these same land creation processes in the north and northwest areas of the country where loess concentrations are high. These areas are near the cities of Lanzhou and Yan’an in the Gansu and Shanxi Provinces, respectively. Figure 2 depicts the Gansu Province, which was considered in this study.

Figure 2: Land creation engineering.

Conventional valley fill materials include remolded loess or remolded loess treated with cement, lime, gypsum, or other stabilizing additives. These stabilizers are often detrimental to the surrounding environment [6]. Moreover, loess treated with conventional stabilizers exhibits excessive brittleness, which is not suitable for building foundations. In fact, Lim et al. [7] purported that loess could be used as a modifier in the treatment of sludge because of its engineering properties. Adequate stability of the building foundations in the filled valleys is required to ensure public safety. To minimize building foundation deformation and environmental impacts, various scholars have investigated the effects of these stabilizing additives on loess used as a valley fill material.

Cuisinier et al. [8] found that the addition of lime decreased the maximum dry density of the loess and concurrently affected the hydraulic conductivity of the treated soil. Similarly, Gao et al. [9] found that the addition of lime changed the structure of the loess, affecting its mechanical and hydraulic properties and its associated bearing capacity and water flow. The addition of both lime and fly ash has been found to increase the shear strength and compressibility of loess. Zhang et al. [10] conducted a series of tests to determine the effects of admixture materials and concentrations on the shear strength of loess over an extended period. The strength gain and stability over time in the loess samples treated with lime or lime-fly ash combinations were attributable to the working time of the additives. The hydration reaction rate was an important factor affecting the performance of the loess samples treated with lime. Zhang et al. [11] conducted a similar study that considered cement as the additive. The addition of cement increased the shear strength of the loess; the compressibility strength of the loess was dependent upon the cement content. These same researchers noted that cohesion was more sensitive to structure than friction angle in cement-treated loess samples. Most recently, Zhang et al. [12] used acid solutions to improve the pore structure and associated mechanical properties of loess. Soluble salt crystals found in the cement additive (CaCO₃) and in the loess were dissolved using acid solutions to produce a new and stable cement-treated loess structure.

Results from these previous studies have demonstrated that the use of conventional stabilizing additives (cement, lime, and fly ash) is effective in improving the shear strength and compressibility of loess and has subsequently encouraged the widespread use of loess as a fill material in geotechnical engineering applications. However, the use of these conventional stabilizers has been found to have a detrimental effect on the environment although this topic has received much less scholarly focus. Rollings et al. [13] found that chemical admixtures intended to stabilize a soil changed the pH level of the soil, limited the scope of vegetation, and affected the quality of the groundwater. Kitchen et al. [14] found that these chemical admixtures decreased the water-retaining and nutrient-carrying capacities of a soil. As a result, soil fertility is generally weakened by these chemical admixtures; grass and trees exposed to the chemical admixtures will gradually die. Nalbantoglu and Tuncer [15] found that the excessive use of chemical admixtures to stabilize soil affects the yielding capacity of certain soils, which may in turn result in a brittle and unstable soil.

An environmentally friendly alternative to the conventional stabilizing additives of cement, lime, and fly ash used to improve the strength and durability of loess is required. Lignin—a polymer compound produced in the paper industry—has shown some potential for stabilizing unstable soil [16–18]. Zhang et al. [19–22] conducted series of laboratory tests to evaluate the effects of the lignin concentration and curing time on soil properties. Researchers considered each sample’s Atterberg limits, pH, unconfined compressive strength, stress-strain characteristics, and thermal and mechanical properties. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and ercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP) were used to understand the microstructural characteristics and stabilization mechanism of the stabilized silt. Results from this study indicated that lignin generally improved the basic engineering properties and microstructural characteristics of silt but was dependent upon both the lignin concentration and curing time. Canakci et al. [23] conducted a more limited series of tests comparing the performance of lignin, rice husk powder, and rice husk ash as stabilizing additives. Both the additive material and curing time affected each soil sample’s unconfined compressive strength. As the additive content increased, the soil’s liquid limit decreased while its plastic limit increased.

Lignin offers several advantages over the conventional stabilizing additives of cement, lime, and fly ash. Lignin is less costly, more environmentally friendly, and readily available. Over 50 million tons of industrial lignin is produced worldwide annually [24]. Previous studies have primarily focused on the unconfined compression strength of various soil types following lignin treatment. None of the previous studies has considered the performance of lignin-treated loess, particularly under saturation conditions. The valley fill material becomes easily saturated when rainfall and irrigation runoff infiltrate the valleys.

In this study, we tested 50 remolded loess samples treated with lignin to determine its potential as a valley fill material. Triaxial tests, including unconfined compression (UC), isotropically consolidated undrained compression (ICUC), and consolidated drained compression (CDC) shearing tests, were used to study the mechanical characteristics of each sample and determine the effects of the lignin treatment on the loess. In addition, SEM and XRD were used to identify the microscopic mechanism affecting shear stress in the lignin-treated loess. The corresponding development of excess pore pressure and volumetric responses under monotonic triaxial testing were also considered.

2. Materials and Methods

2.1. Materials

To support testing in this study, loess was acquired in northwestern China near the city of Lanzhou in the Gansu Province at a depth of 10.5–12.5 m. Figure 3 shows the general location of this material source. The loess comprised 75.25% silt, 16.45% clay, and 8.30% sand that collectively offered a high porosity and volume of voids. Figure 4 shows the particle size distribution curve for this material. Minimal roots or other organic matter were found in the loess; organic matter often has a profound effect on the particle size distribution of the sediment samples [25]. The specific mineral composition of the loess included hornblende, gypsum, quartz, feldspar, calcite, pyroxene, and kaolin. The water content and density of the loess were 4.25–5.04% and 1.41 g/cm³ (American Society for Testing and Materials [26]), respectively. The optimum water content and maximum dry density of the loess were 14.72% and 1.71 g/cm³, respectively, according to the standard Proctor compaction test. The liquid and plastic limits of the loess were 29.30% and 19.40%, respectively [27].

Figure 3: Location of the research area and the sampling points.

Figure 4: Particle size distribution curve of loess soil.

The lignin used in this study was in the form of a nontoxic white powder that was soluble in water. Lignin, a polymer compound produced in the papermaking industry, contains hydrophilic groups including sulfonate, phenylic hydroxyl, and alcoholic hydroxyl and hydrophobic groups including the carbon chain [28].

2.2. Soil Sample Preparation

In the laboratory, the loess was initially dried for 7–10 days to ensure a stable water content. A mortar was then used to crush the dry loess. The loess was subsequently sieved in preparation for testing.

Prepared samples included both treated and untreated loess. Treated loess samples were prepared using five lignin concentrations (0, 1, 2, 3, and 4%) based on the dry loess weight. Samples initially prepared with lignin concentrations higher than 4% became seriously dilated when saturated using the vacuum saturation method. Thus, the results for samples with 5% lignin were consistent with the results for samples with 4% lignin, eliminating the need to prepare and consider samples with lignin concentrations higher than 4%. The required amount of lignin was first mixed with the loess. Water was then added until the optimum water content was reached.

Specimens were prepared using static compaction with controlled static stress and axial displacement. After pouring the required amount of loess into the stainless steel barrel, the stainless steel head was lowered onto one side of the sample with a load, producing a half axial displacement. Figure 5 depicts this process. Next, the stainless steel head was lowered onto the other side of the sample with a load, producing the full axial displacement. The samples were removed from the stainless steel barrel and compacted into uniform specimens using static compaction methods via a ack system. The final samples measured 50 mm in diameter and 100 mm in height, with 10% water content and 0.96 degree of compaction. The compacted samples were then sealed in plastic wrap and stored in a temperature-controlled environment with a constant temperature of 25 ± 2°C to cure for up to 36 days.

Figure 5: Mould of compacting samples. (1) Stainless steel barrel. (2) Stainless steel head. (3) Soil. (4) Heel block.

2.3. Test Methods

To investigate the shear strength of lignin-treated loess, UC, ICUC, and CDC tests were conducted on samples that were cured for 28 days. Preliminary UC test results for samples cured for 0, 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24, 28, 32, and 36 days revealed that the shear strength of the loess increased only marginally for cure times in excess of 28 days. Table 1 details the testing scheme followed in this study.

Table 1: Summary of tests in the study.

Samples
Moisture content (%)
Density (g/cm³)
Plastic limit (%)
Liquid limit (%)
Void ratio
Specific gravity
Test type

MZS-0
9.11
1.73
26.08
16.31
0.71
2.71
UC

MZS-1
9.63
1.73
31.25
19.28
0.71
2.70
UC

MZS-2
9.65
1.73
33.12
18.09
0.70
2.69
UC

MZS-3
9.53
1.72
37.90
21.69
0.71
2.68
UC

MZS-4
9.51
1.72
43.17
21.70
0.69
2.66
UC

MZS-0
9.46
1.73
26.08
16.31
0.71
2.71
ICUC + 80 kPa

MZS-1
9.44
1.73
31.25
19.28
0.71
2.70
ICUC + 80 kPa

MZS-2
9.27
1.73
33.12
18.09
0.70
2.69
ICUC + 80 kPa

MZS-3
9.29
1.73
37.90
21.69
0.69
2.68
ICUC + 80 kPa

MZS-4
9.52
1.73
43.17
21.70
0.68
2.66
ICUC + 80 kPa

MZS-0
9.61
1.73
26.08
16.31
0.72
2.71
ICUC + 140 kPa

MZS-1
9.96
1.72
31.25
19.28
0.73
2.70
ICUC + 140 kPa

MZS-2
9.78
1.72
33.12
18.09
0.72
2.69
ICUC + 140 kPa

MZS-3
10.12
1.72
37.90
21.69
0.72
2.68
ICUC + 140 kPa

MZS-4
10.08
1.72
43.17
21.70
0.70
2.66
ICUC + 140 kPa

MZS-0
10.11
1.72
26.08
16.31
0.73
2.71
ICUC + 200 kPa

MZS-1
10.15
1.72
31.25
19.28
0.73
2.70
ICUC + 200 kPa

MZS-2
10.55
1.72
33.12
18.09
0.73
2.69
ICUC + 200 kPa

MZS-3
10.32
1.73
37.90
21.69
0.71
2.68
ICUC + 200 kPa

MZS-4
10.29
1.73
43.17
21.70
0.70
2.66
ICUC + 200 kPa

MZS-0
10.32
1.73
26.08
16.31
0.73
2.71
ICUC + 300 kPa

MZS-1
10.53
1.74
31.25
19.28
0.72
2.70
ICUC + 300 kPa

MZS-2
9.46
1.73
33.12
18.09
0.70
2.69
ICUC + 300 kPa

MZS-3
9.44
1.73
37.90
21.69
0.70
2.68
ICUC + 300 kPa

MZS-4
9.27
1.73
43.17
21.70
0.68
2.66
ICUC + 300 kPa

MZS-0
9.29
1.73
26.08
16.31
0.71
2.71
CDC + 80 kPa

MZS-1
9.52
1.72
31.25
19.28
0.72
2.70
CDC + 80 kPa

MZS-2
9.61
1.72
33.12
18.09
0.71
2.69
CDC + 80 kPa

MZS-3
9.96
1.72
37.90
21.69
0.71
2.68
CDC + 80 kPa

MZS-4
9.78
1.72
43.17
21.70
0.70
2.66
CDC + 80 kPa

MZS-0
10.12
1.72
26.08
16.31
0.74
2.71
CDC + 140 kPa

MZS-1
10.08
1.73
31.25
19.28
0.72
2.70
CDC + 140 kPa

MZS-2
10.11
1.73
33.12
18.09
0.71
2.69
CDC + 140 kPa

MZS-3
10.15
1.73
37.90
21.69
0.71
2.68
CDC + 140 kPa

MZS-4
10.55
1.74
43.17
21.70
0.69
2.66
CDC + 140 kPa

MZS-0
10.29
1.73
26.08
16.31
0.73
2.71
CDC + 200 kPa

MZS-1
10.32
1.73
31.25
19.28
0.72
2.70
CDC + 200 kPa

MZS-2
10.53
1.73
33.12
18.09
0.72
2.69
CDC + 200 kPa

MZS-3
9.46
1.73
37.90
21.69
0.70
2.68
CDC + 200 kPa

MZS-4
9.44
1.72
43.17
21.70
0.69
2.66
CDC + 200 kPa

MZS-0
9.27
1.74
26.08
16.31
0.70
2.71
CDC + 300 kPa

MZS-1
9.29
1.73
31.25
19.28
0.71
2.70
CDC + 300 kPa

MZS-2
9.52
1.73
33.12
18.09
0.70
2.69
CDC + 300 kPa

MZS-3
9.88
1.73
37.90
21.69
0.70
2.68
CDC + 300 kPa

MZS-4
1.02
1.73
43.17
21.70
0.55
2.66
CDC + 300 kPa

MZS-0
10.06
1.72
26.08
16.31
0.73
2.71
SEM + XRD

MZS-1
9.97
1.72
31.25
19.28
0.73
2.70
SEM + XRD

MZS-2
9.83
1.72
33.12
18.09
0.72
2.69
SEM + XRD

MZS-3
9.65
1.72
37.90
21.69
0.71
2.68
SEM + XRD

MZS-4
9.67
1.72
43.17
21.70
0.70
2.66
SEM + XRD

To best reflect the field conditions near the cities of Lanzhou and Yan’an in the Gansu and Shanxi Provinces, respectively, all triaxial tests were performed on saturated specimens. In the newly created land areas in Lanzhou and Yan’an, many of the filled valleys remain low-lying, with the groundwater level very close to the new ground surface. In these areas, full saturation is common. Rainfall and irrigation runoff will further infiltrate the filled valleys; the fill material encourages the horizontal movement of water throughout its mass, ensuring full saturation in low-lying areas.

Prior to ICUC and CDC testing, vacuum saturation methods were used to saturate the specimens for more than 24 hr. Next, back pressure saturation methods were used until each sample’s B value was greater than 0.98. Finally, each sample was isotropically consolidated under a given effective confining pressure. A backpressure approaching 350 kPa was required to reach a high degree of saturation. The cell pressure and back pressure were applied incrementally and allowed to stabilize for 60 min after reaching their target value [5].

To additionally reflect the field conditions near Lanzhou and Yan’an, effective confining pressures used in the triaxial tests were determined based on the in situ conditions of these areas. The valley depths near Lanzhou and Yan’an range from 6.0 to 36.0 m. Based on these depths, effective confining pressures were calculated as a function of the soil density and the coefficient of arth pressure at rest (K₀) [29]. Thus, effective confining pressures of 80, 140, 200, and 300 kPa were applied to the loess samples during ICUC and CDC testing to represent in situ conditions. The shearing rates in the ICUC and CDC tests were 0.05 and 0.005 mm/min, respectively. Results from each of the triaxial tests were reported for axial strains up to 20%, which was the limit of the load actuator. The total volume change for each of the samples in the CDC tests was measured using a volume change sensor [5].

In addition to the triaxial tests, SEM and XRD were used to identify the microscopic mechanism affecting shear stress in the lignin-treated loess. Prior to SEM analysis, the loess samples were first freeze-dried and then positioned with an adhesive paste on a flat surface and sprayed with a conductive gold coating. The prepared samples were analyzed using a scanning electron microscope (KYKY-2800B) with amplifications of 100, 200, 500, and 600. Similarly, the freeze-dried loess samples were positioned on a glass wafer and subsequently analyzed in the X-ray chamber.

3. Experimental Results and Discussion

3.1. Unconfined Compression (UC) Test

Figure 6 shows the unconfined compression strength of the loess samples containing lignin concentrations of 0, 1, 2, 3, or 4%. The peak axial stress was highest in the samples containing 4% lignin. The peak axial stress increased as the lignin content increased from 0 to 4% but decreased when the lignin content exceeded 4%. Furthermore, the samples with lignin concentrations exceeding 4% were easily dilated after saturation. Thus, 4% was determined to be the optimum lignin content for the treated loess to effectively control building foundation deformation.

Figure 6: UCS results of treated loess.

3.2. Isotropically Consolidated Undrained Compression (ICUC) Test

Figure 7 shows the isotropically consolidated undrained compression strength and shear behavior of the loess samples containing lignin concentrations of 0, 1, 2, 3, or 4% under different effective confining pressures. The maximum deviator stress ranged from 126.59 to 518.85 kPa, and the maximum pore water pressure ranged from 31.01 to 186.30 kPa.

(a)

(b)

(c)

(d)

Figure 7: Undrained shear (ICUC) behavior of treated loess with different contents of lignin at different effective confining pressures. (a) 80 kPa. (b) 140 kPa. (c) 200 kPa. (d) 300 kPa.

As shown in Figure 7 (left), the deviator stress generally increased as the lignin content increased; however, the undrained stress-strain behavior differed in the treated (1–4% lignin) and untreated (0% lignin) loess samples. The stress-strain relationship showed a strain-softening behavior in the untreated loess samples but a strain-hardening behavior for the treated loess samples. This finding suggests that the addition of lignin could reduce the softening behavior of loess and is consistent with previously reported findings by Vinod and Indraratna [30]. However, this stress-strain relationship also suggests that the lignin-treated loess fill material used in the valleys would experience continuous deformation rather than brittle behavior. This phenomenon would affect the stability of building foundations if the fill materials became saturated by groundwater.

The peak deviator stress also rapidly increased as the effective confining pressure increased. In the untreated (0% lignin) loess samples, the residual stress was significant following the peak deviator stress. In the treated (1–4% lignin) loess samples, the deviator stresses increased continuously until the axial strain exceeded 15%. The deviator stress amplitude also increased as the effective confining pressure increased. As shown in Figure 7 (left), the postpeak ductility of the lignin-treated loess continued to increase, contrary to the ductile-to-brittle response observed for soil treated with conventional stabilizing additives such as lime or cement [31, 32].

As shown in Figure 7 (right), the relationship between excess pore water pressure and axial strain under different effective confining pressures also differed in the treated (1–4% lignin) and untreated (0% lignin) loess samples. The pore water pressure in each of the samples peaked with initial axial strains of 0–3%. As the axial strains exceeded 3%, the pore water pressure decreased in the treated samples but continued to increase slowly in the untreated samples. This finding is consistent with the previously reported stress-strain behavior in Figure 7 (left) and suggests that the increasing pore water pressure in the untreated samples could reduce the effective deviator stress in the ICUC tests. The addition of lignin in the treated samples caused the pore water pressure to decrease after reaching its peak value. This decrease in pore water pressure increased the effective deviator stress as the axial strain increased. Note that the samples with an effective confining pressure of 80 kPa showed a peak followed by a sudden drop in pore water pressure, and negative pore water pressure or suction was produced. Comparatively, the pore water pressures remained positive for effective confining pressures of 140, 200, and 300 kPa. The occurrence of negative pore water pressure was a function of the dilatancy of the samples and the effective confining pressures in the tests. As the lignin content increased, the pore water pressure decreased but the deviator stress increased under consistent confining pressures.

3.3. Consolidated Drained Compression (CDC) Test

Figure 8 shows the consolidated drained compression strength and shear behavior of the loess samples containing lignin concentrations of 0, 1, 2, 3, or 4% under different effective confining pressures.

(a)

(b)

(c)

(d)

Figure 8: Drained shear (CDC) behavior of treated loess with different contents of lignin at different effective confining pressures. (a) 80 kPa. (b) 140 kPa. (c) 200 kPa. (d) 300 kPa.

As shown in Figure 8 (left), the deviator stress generally increased as the effective confining pressure and axial strain increased; however, the undrained stress-strain behavior again differed in the treated (1–4% lignin) and untreated (0% lignin) loess samples. In the treated samples, the addition of lignin significantly increased the peak deviator stress, particularly at the 80 kPa effective confining pressure. As the lignin content increased, the shear strength increased across all samples. In the treated (1–4% lignin) loess samples, the shear strength remained stable until the peak stress was reached. The peak shear strength in the samples ranged from 202.82 to 822.02 kPa.

As shown in Figure 8 (right), the volumetric response and axial strain in the treated (1–4% lignin) and untreated (0% lignin) loess samples differed under different effective confining pressures. Across all samples, a dilative response was observed for samples tested at low confining pressures (80 and 140 kPa), while a contractive response was observed for samples subjected to higher confining pressures (200 and 300 kPa). The volumetric strain changed from dilation to compression as the effective confining pressure increased from 80 to 300 kPa. The loess samples containing 4% lignin exhibited a maximum dilation at a confining pressure of 80 kPa and compression at a confining pressure of 300 kPa. This finding suggests that the effective confining pressure significantly affects the total volume change of the treated loess. Valley depth, which determines the effective confining pressure, should thus be considered when selecting appropriate fill materials.

The results of both the ICUC and CDC tests indicated that the addition of lignin increased the shear strength of loess. The deviator stress was nearly constant when the axial strain was 15%. Stress-strain relationships from both tests also showed a strain-hardening behavior in the treated (1–4% lignin) loess samples. However, in the untreated (0% lignin) loess samples, the stress-strain relationships differed between the two tests. In the ICUC tests, the untreated samples showed a strain-softening behavior, while in the CDC tests, the untreated samples showed a strain-hardening behavior. This latter finding indicating a strain-hardening behavior is consistent with previously reported findings [33–35].

3.4. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) Analysis

To analyze the mechanical effects of lignin, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to compare the microstructures of the treated (1–4% lignin) and untreated (0% lignin) loess samples. Figure 9 shows the results of this analysis.

(a)

(b)

(c)

(d)

(e)

Figure 9: SEM results of treated loess with different contents of lignin. (a) MZS-0. (b) MZS-1. (c) MZS-2. (d) MZS-3. (e) MZS-4.

In the untreated loess samples, the clay particles were adhered to larger particle surfaces. The grain outlines were distinct, and the adhesive material between particles was minimal. The embedded particles were compact but joined only by point contacts with obvious open voids. The pore structures in these samples were generally uniform.

In the treated loess samples, the adhesive content on the large particle surfaces increased as the lignin content increased. When the lignin content was 1-2%, the adhesive content on the silt (0.005–0.05 mm) and sand (>0.05 mm) surfaces increased, and the interparticle contact mode changed from point to surface contacts, which increased the material’s macroscopic mechanical properties. When the lignin content was 3-4%, the banded lignin fibers were apparent in a randomly distributed pattern around the loess particles. In these samples with higher lignin contents, the content of linear-shaped (strip) lignin fibers increased significantly, the adhesive content on the large particle surfaces increased, and loess particle aggregation increased. These collective findings suggest that the increased strength of lignin-treated loess is primarily attributable to the increase in strip lignin fibers and adhesion in the material’s microstructure.

3.5. X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) Analysis

To supplement the findings of the SEM analysis, X-ray diffraction (XRD) was used to compare the mineral compositions of the treated (1–4% lignin) and untreated (0% lignin) loess samples. The specific mineral composition of the loess included hornblende, gypsum, quartz, feldspar, calcite, pyroxene, and kaolin. Table 2 details the content of each mineral in the test samples used in this study.

Table 2: Mineral composition of loess and treated loess samples.

Samples
Hornblende (%)
Gypsum (%)
Quartz (%)
Feldspar (%)
Calcite (%)
Pyroxene (%)
Kaolin (%)

MZS-0
4.20
1.19
35.50
16.80
11.87
5.00
25.44

MZS-1
4.33
1.40
32.84
17.65
12.27
5.40
26.11

MZS-2
5.12
1.20
32.68
18.24
8.42
6.10
28.24

MZS-3
6.14
1.77
30.82
18.20
5.48
6.33
31.26

MZS-4
6.00
1.65
30.71
19.55
0.79
7.85
33.45

The mineral compositions of the treated and untreated loess samples were nearly consistent. In the treated loess samples, the clay mineral content was generally higher and increased as the lignin content increased. This finding suggests that an ion exchange occurs at certain water contents after the lignin is mixed with the loess, which results in the formation of new clay minerals and an increased clay mineral content.

4. Conclusions

In response to the need for an environmentally friendly alternative to conventional stabilizing additives (cement, lime, and fly ash) used to improve the strength and durability of valley fill material, we considered the effects of lignin on loess shear strength. In this study, we tested 40 remolded loess samples treated with lignin. Triaxial tests, SEM, and XRD were used to study the mechanical characteristics of each sample, determine the effects of the lignin treatment on the loess, and identify the microscopic mechanism affecting shear stress in the lignin-treated loess. The corresponding development of excess pore pressure and volumetric responses under monotonic triaxial testing were also considered.

Based on the results of the UC tests, compressive strengths generally increased as lignin content increased. The optimum lignin content in the treated loess samples was 4%. Lignin contents exceeding 4% decreased axial stress and increased dilation after saturation, which in turn affected the accurate test of mechanical properties.

Based on the results of the ICUC and CDC tests, shear strengths also increased as lignin content increased. Stress-strain relationships from both tests also showed a strain-hardening behavior in the treated (1–4% lignin) loess samples. However, in the untreated (0% lignin) loess samples, the stress-strain relationships differed between the two tests. In the ICUC tests, the untreated samples showed a strain-softening behavior, while in the CDC tests, the untreated samples showed a strain-hardening behavior. In the ICUC tests, the addition of lignin transformed the stress-strain relationship from strain softening to strain hardening, and the excess pore water pressure decreased as the strain increased. The decrease in excess pore water pressure is countered by the increase in shear strength. This collective behavior suggests good potential for lignin-treated loess in geotechnical engineering applications.

Results of the CDC tests also indicated the effects of different effective confining pressures on a material’s shear strength. A dilative shear response was observed for samples tested at low confining pressures (80 and 140 kPa), while a contractive shear response was observed for samples subjected to higher confining pressures (200 and 300 kPa). In each case, the responses were magnified in the treated loess samples.

Finally, results from the SEM and XRD analyses indicated that the addition of lignin altered the pore structure and material composition of the loess. These changes to the material’s microstructure increased cohesion in the loess samples, while slightly contributing to the internal friction angle. In samples with higher lignin contents (3-4%), the increased strength of lignin-treated loess was primarily attributable to the increase in both strip lignin fibers and adhesion in the material’s microstructure. Considering material composition, ion exchange following the addition of lignin resulted in the formation of new clay minerals and an increased clay mineral content.

Based on these collective results, the use of lignin as a stabilizing additive for valley fill material shows potential for controlling building foundation deformation by increasing soil strength. In addition, the use of lignin as an alternative stabilizing additive to cement, lime, and fly ash would minimize environmental impacts by maintaining the soil pH and limiting pollutant production.

Data Availability

The figures and tables reflecting data used to support the findings of this study are included within this paper.

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest regarding the publication of this paper.

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank Mr. Wang Jun (China Earthquake Administration and Gansu Province) for his useful guidance. The authors would also like to acknowledge Mr. Liu Zhaozhao (Lanzhou University) and Mr. Fan Wenjun (Lanzhou University) for their assistance in sampling. This work was supported by the Opening Fund of the Key Laboratory of Loess Earthquake Engineering, China Earthquake Administration, and Gansu Province (Grant KLLEE-17-004); National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant 51778590); and Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities (Grant lzujbky-2017-170).

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