Optimizing Silica Fume Admixture for Enhanced Strength of Soil–Cement Columns
摘要
The Deep Soil Mixing (DSM) method is effective for rapid soil stabilization. In contrast, it presents challenges when applied to expansive and problematic soils, as well as in environments with high salinity. This study investigates the incorporation of silica fume as an admixture to enhance the unconfined compressive strength (UCS) of soil–cement columns using the DSM construction method. Soil–cement specimens were prepared with silica fume-to-cement ratios of 0%, 1%, 3%, and 5% and cured under varied conditions, including untreated natural soil, tap water, and saline solutions with 2.5% and 5% NaCl concentrations. UCS tests conducted on 7, 14, 28, and 60 days revealed that a 1% silica fume dosage optimally enhances strength across all curing environments, with soil-based curing achieving the highest performance. The improvement is attributed to the formation of calcium silicate hydrate (C–S–H), which enhances the UCS of the specimens. However, higher silica fume contents led to reduced efficiency due to particle agglomeration and reduced hydration reaction. By addressing the challenges of traditional DSM applications, this study demonstrates the potential of silica fume to improve the performance and durability of soil–cement columns, offering a sustainable and practical approach for geotechnical engineering in diverse and challenging environments.