Micromechanical Properties of Biocemented Shale Soils Analyzed Using Nanoindentation Test
Publication: Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering
Volume 147, Issue 12
Abstract
Biocemented shale soils are composite materials, and their micromechanical properties are difficult to measure using common macromechanical tests. In this work, nanoindentation tests were conducted to study the effects of microstructures, crystal types of calcium carbonate, and locations of test points on the micromechanical properties of biocemented shale soils. The transformation process of crystal types of calcium carbonate during biogrouting was revealed using scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction imaging techniques. The results showed that a significant amount of voids within the cementing body were generated due to the death of bacillus pasteurii. Vaterite and calcite were both detected in the same sample, where the vaterite gradually changed into calcite during the biogrouting process. The nanoindentation tests were carried out in locations with different surrounding conditions, and the micromechanical properties of biocemented soils were obtained through analysis of the load-displacement curves. The relationships between fracture toughness, elastic modulus, and hardness were found to be linear based on our test results. The established empirical relationships help understand the correlations between micromechanical properties and also provide a useful method for the characterization of fracture toughness of biocemented shale soils.
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Data Availability Statement
All data, models, and code generated or used during the study appear in the published article.
Acknowledgments
The authors gratefully acknowledge the financial support of the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 41972276) and the Natural Science Foundation of Fujian Province (Grant No. 2020J06013).
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Published In
Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering
Volume 147 • Issue 12 • December 2021
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© 2021 American Society of Civil Engineers.
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Received: Oct 4, 2020
Accepted: Jun 25, 2021
Published online: Sep 29, 2021
Published in print: Dec 1, 2021
Discussion open until: Feb 28, 2022
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