Laboratory-Prepared Iron Oxide Coatings on Sands: Surface Characterization and Strength Parameters
Publication: Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering
Volume 140, Issue 4
Abstract
Soils containing iron oxides that are derived from chemical weathering are widespread in geotechnical systems. This work studies the effect of adsorbed iron oxides on the shear strength of laboratory-prepared iron oxide–coated sands. Goethite- and hematite-coated Ottawa sands were synthesized in the laboratory via a heterogeneous geochemical suspension-reaction method. Surface roughness parameters and fractal dimension were determined using atomic force microscopy (AFM), which showed that hematite-coated sands exhibited the roughest surfaces. -adsorption experiments also helped characterize the mineral surfaces. Shear strength parameters were obtained through consolidated drained (CD) triaxial compression, showing an increase in the critical state friction angle of more than 5% when the sands were coated with iron oxides. Iron oxide coatings also increased dilatancy and decreased contractiveness. The experimental results can be attributed to changes in mass-to-mass concentration and intrinsic soil fabric changes due to the presence of iron oxide coatings, as well as to increased roughness and particle-to-particle interlocking.
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Acknowledgments
The authors are very grateful to Dr. Carlos Santamarina, Mr. Nortey Yeboah, and Mr. Andy Udell of Georgia Tech for their assistance and thoughtful comments during the course of this research.
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© 2013 American Society of Civil Engineers.
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Received: Mar 10, 2013
Accepted: Nov 4, 2013
Published online: Dec 19, 2013
Published in print: Apr 1, 2014
Discussion open until: May 19, 2014
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