Abstract
Purpose
This research presents experimental investigation into the performance improvement of dredged sediment (DS) stabilization with ternary alkali-activated materials (AAMs) based on fly ash (FA), ground granulated blast-furnace slag (GGBS), and desulfurization gypsum (DG) for use as embankment fill materials.
Methods
The performance of stabilized DS was assessed through a series of pH, electrical conductivity (EC), and unconfined compressive strength (UCS) tests. Microstructure characterization was also conducted to reveal the performance improvement mechanism of stabilized DS.
Results
The pH value of the stabilized DS exhibited a significant increase, reaching its peak at a DG content of 8%. This increase was attributed to the consumption of free water and the priority reaction of C-(A)-S–H. Subsequently, the pH value gradually decreased, primarily due to the consumption of OH− through Ca(OH)2 precipitation. Concurrently, the EC value steadily increased due to the rising Ca2+ concentration. Additionally, the UCS of the stabilized DS exhibited a noteworthy increase at a DG content of 8% and then showed a tendency to increase or decrease slightly with varying DG content, in line with the changes in pH value.
Conclusions
The performance improvement of the stabilized DS was attributable to the cementation provided gels (i.e., geopolymer gel and C-(A)-S–H gel), along with the pore-filling of ettringite (AFt) in the alkaline environment. Conversely, the performance of stabilized DS deteriorated due to the presence of microcracks resulting from excessive AFt expansion.
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All data, models, and code generated or used during the study appear in the submitted article.
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Funding
This study is supported by the Open Foundation of Key Laboratory of Underground Engineering, Fujian Province University (Fujian University of Technology) (KF–06–22006), the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant number 51978159, 52308342), the Natural Science Foundation of Fujian Province (Grant number 2022J05186), the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities (RF1028623071), and the funding from the State Key Laboratory of Subtropical Building Science in South China University of Technology (2022ZC01).
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Wang, J., Wang, H., Ding, J. et al. Investigation on performance improvement of dredged sediment with high water content stabilized with alkali-activated materials. J Soils Sediments 24, 1464–1473 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11368-023-03680-y
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11368-023-03680-y