Effect of Thermogelation Biopolymers on Geotechnical Properties of Red Mud Tailings Exposed to Freeze and Thaw
Publication: Journal of Cold Regions Engineering
Volume 36, Issue 3
Abstract
In cold regions, the construction of engineered structures such as roads and embankments experiences alternate freezing and thawing cycles, thus affecting their long-term stability or durability. This research aims to investigate the impact of freeze–thaw cycles on the geotechnical characteristics of red mud tailing (bauxite residue) stabilized with two biopolymers, guar gum (GG) and xanthan gum (XG). The effect of elevated temperature during sample preparation (thermogelation) on the strength and durability was also studied. Red mud tailing samples stabilized at various concentrations (0.25%, 0.5%, 1%, and1.5%) and curing periods (7, 14, and 28 days) were exposed to 10 freeze–thaw cycles. The results showed the efficacy of thermogelation biopolymers in enhancing the compressive strength and freeze and thaw resistance compared to other treated conditions. Also, post-freeze–thaw conditioning, the results showed maximum recovery of strength at 14 days of curing period when the temperature was constantly above 0°C. The findings postulated the biopolymer as a promising, environmentally friendly material for road constructions (particularly for subbase and shoulder) in cold regions.
Get full access to this article
View all available purchase options and get full access to this article.
Acknowledgments
The authors gratefully acknowledge the assistance of geotechnical laboratory staff in supporting this study. The authors thank Mr. Sourav Sarkar and Mr. Surya Dev Prasad, Research Scholars, Department of Civil Engineering, IIT (BHU), for their valuable suggestions and assistance.
Notation
The following symbols are used in this paper:
- mb/mw
- biopolymer-to-water ratio;
- mb
- mass of the biopolymer;
- P
- biopolymer content (%); and
- w
- water content.
References
Becker, A., F. Katzen, A. Pühler, and L. Ielpi. 1998. “Xanthan gum biosynthesis and application: A biochemical /genetic perspective.” Appl. Microbiol. Biotechnol. 50 (2): 145–152. https://doi.org/10.1007/s002530051269.
Bonal, N. S., A. Prasad, and A. K. Verma. 2021. “Effect of microbial biopolymers on mechanical properties of bauxite residue.” KSCE J. Civ. Eng. 25 (7): 2437–2450. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12205-021-1297-x.
Chang, I., J. Im, A. K. Prasidhi, and G.-C. Cho. 2015a. “Effects of Xanthan gum biopolymer on soil strengthening.” Constr. Build. Mater. 74: 65–72. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2014.10.026.
Chang, I., J. Im, and G.-C. Cho. 2016. “Geotechnical engineering behaviors of gellan gum biopolymer treated sand.” Can. Geotech. J. 53 (10): 1658–1670. https://doi.org/10.1139/cgj-2015-0475.
Chang, I., A. K. Prasidhi, J. Im and G. C. Cho. 2015b. “Soil strengthening using thermogelation biopolymers.” Constr. Build. Mater. 77: 430–438. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2014.12.116.
Chen, R., L. Zhang, and M. Budhu. 2013. “Biopolymer stabilization of mine tailings.” J. Geotech. Geoenviron. Eng. 139 (10): 1802–1807. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)GT.1943-5606.0000902.
Cruzda, K. A., and M. Hohmann. 1997. “Freezing effect on shear strength of clayey soils.” Appl. Clay Sci. 12 (1–2): 165–187.
Etemadi, O., I. G. Petrisor, D. Kim, M.-W. Wan, and T. F. Yen. 2003. “Stabilization of metals in subsurface by biopolymers: Laboratory drainage flow studies.” Soil Sediment Contam. 12 (5): 647–661. https://doi.org/10.1080/714037712.
Gore, M. S. 2015. “Geotechnical characterization of bauxite residue (red mud).” Ph.D. thesis, Dept. of Civil, Architectural, and Environmental Engineering, Univ. of Texas at Austin.
Güllü, H. 2015. “Unconfined compressive strength and freeze-thaw resistance of fine-grained soil stabilised with bottom ash, lime and superplasticiser.” Road Mater. Pavement Des. 16 (3): 608–634. https://doi.org/10.1080/14680629.2015.1021369.
Güllü, H., and A. Khudir. 2014. “Effect of freeze–thaw cycles on unconfined compressive strength of fine-grained soil treated with jute fiber, steel fiber and lime.” Cold Reg. Sci. Technol. 106–107: 55–65. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.coldregions.2014.06.008.
Gupta, C., and A. Prasad. 2018. “Strength and durability of lime-treated jarosite waste exposed to freeze and thaw.” J. Cold Reg. Eng. 32 (1): 04017025. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)CR.1943-5495.0000154.
Havanagi, V. G., A. K. Sinha, V. K. Arora, and S. Mathur. 2012. “Waste materials for construction of road embankment and pavement layers.” Int. J. Environ. Eng. Res. 1 (2): 51–59.
Jones, C. W. 1987. Long term changes in the properties of soil linings for canal seepage control. Rep. No. REC-ERC-87-1. Denver: U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation, Engineering and Research Center.
Jung, Y. S., D. G. Zollinger, B. H. Cho, M. Won, and A. J. Wimsatt. 2012. Subbase and subgrade performance investigation and design guidelines for concrete pavement. College Station, TX: Texas Transportation Institute, Texas A&M Univ.
Karimi, S. 1998. “A study of geotechnical applications of biopolymer treated soils with an emphasis on silt.” Ph.D. thesis, Dept. of Civil Engineering, Univ. of Southern California.
Khatami, H. R., and B. C. O’Kelly. 2013. “Improving mechanical properties of sand using biopolymers.” J. Geotech. Geoenviron. Eng. 139 (8): 1402–1406. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)GT.1943-5606.0000861.
Kumar, S., R. Kumar, and A. Bandopadhyay. 2006. “Innovative methodologies for the utilisation of wastes from metallurgical and allied industries.” Resour. Conserv. Recycl. 48 (4): 301–314. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resconrec.2006.03.003.
Latifi, N., S. Horpibulsuk, C. L. Meehan, M. Z. Abd Majid, M. M. Tahir, and E. T. Mohamad. 2017. “Improvement of problematic soils with biopolymer—An environmentally friendly soil stabilizer.” J. Mater. Civ. Eng. 29 (2): 04016204. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)MT.1943-5533.0001706.
MRWA (Main Roads Western Australia). 2018. Specification 501: Pavement, 60. Perth, Australia: MRWA.
Mohamedzein, Y., A. Al-Hashmi, A. Al-Abri, and A. Al-Shereiqi. 2019. “Polymers for stabilisation of Wahiba dune sands, Oman.” Proc. Inst. Civ. Eng. Ground Improv. 172 (2): 76–84. https://doi.org/10.1680/jgrim.17.00063.
Mudgil, D., S. Barak, and B. S. Khatkar. 2014. “Guar gum: Processing, properties and food applications—A review.” J. Food Sci. Technol. 51 (3): 409–418. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13197-011-0522-x.
Newson, T., T. Dyer, C. Adam, and S. Sharp. 2006. “Effect of structure on the geotechnical properties of bauxite residue.” J. Geotech. Geoenviron. Eng. 132 (2): 143–151. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)1090-0241(2006)132:2(143).
Pappu, A., M. Saxena, and S. R. Asolekar. 2007. “Solid wastes generation in India and their recycling potential in building materials.” Build. Environ. 42 (6): 2311–2320. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2006.04.015.
Qureshi, M. U., I. Chang, and K. Al-Sadarani. 2017. “Strength and durability characteristics of biopolymer-treated desert sand.” Geomech. Eng. 12 (5): 785–801. https://doi.org/10.12989/gae.2017.12.5.785.
Reddy, N. G., and B. H. Rao. 2016. “Evaluation of the compaction characteristics of untreated and treated red mud waste.” Geotech. 272: 23–32.
Simonsen, E., and U. Isacsson. 1999. “Thaw weakening of pavement structures in cold regions.” Cold Reg. Sci. Technol. 29 (2): 135–151. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0165-232X(99)00020-8.
Sunley, W. T. 1995. Pavement design procedures. Springfield, IL: Illinois Dept. of Transportation.
Sutar, H., S. C. Mishra, S. Sahoo, A. P. Chakraverty and H. S. Maharana. 2014. “Progress of red mud utilization: An overview.” Am. Chem. Sci. J. 4 (3): 255–279. https://doi.org/10.9734/ACSJ/2014/7258.
Viklander, P., and D. Eigenbrod. 2000. “Stone movements and permeability changes in till caused by freezing and thawing.” Cold Reg. Sci. Technol. 31 (2): 151–162. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0165-232X(00)00009-4.
Wang, D.-y., W. Ma, Y.-h. Niu, X.-x. Chang, and Z. Wen. 2007. “Effects of cyclic freezing and thawing on mechanical properties of Qinghai-Tibet clay.” Cold Reg. Sci. Technol. 48 (1): 34–43. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.coldregions.2006.09.008.
Watanabe, K. 1999. “Ice lensing mechanism during soil freezing.” Ph.D. thesis, Graduate School of Bioresources, Mie Univ.
White, D., M. Mekkawy, C. T. Jahren, D. Smith, and M. Suleiman. 2007. Effective shoulder design and maintenance. Ames, IA: Center for Transportation Research and Education, Iowa State Univ.
Yarbasi, N., E. Kalkan, and S. Akbulut. 2007. “Modification of the geotechnical properties, as influenced by freeze–thaw, of granular soils with waste additives.” Cold Reg. Sci. Technol. 48 (1): 44–54. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.coldregions.2006.09.009.
Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Copyright
© 2022 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Aug 18, 2021
Accepted: May 7, 2022
Published online: May 30, 2022
Published in print: Sep 1, 2022
Discussion open until: Oct 30, 2022
Authors
Metrics & Citations
Metrics
Citations
Download citation
If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download.