GEOTECHNICAL

PROPERTIES OF
THE SOILS
Department of Civil Engineering, NFC Institute of Engineering and Fertilizer Research, Faisalabad, Pakistan
 GEOTECHNICAL PROPERTIES OF THE SOILS
MODIFIED WITH NANOMATERIALS:
PRESENTED BY:

REGISTRATION NO. NAME

2021-UET-NFC-FD-CIVIL-17 NAUMAN ASIF
2022-P/2021-UET-NFC-FD-CIVIL-75 IMTIAZ AHMAD
2022-P/2021-UET-NFC-FD-CIVIL-76 MUHAMMAD JAVAID

PRESENTED TO:
Engr. Usman Shahid

2
Department of Civil Engineering, NFC Institute of Engineering and Fertilizer Research, Faisalabad, Pakistan
 CONTENTS

• Abstract
1
• Introduction
2
• Soil classification based on nano-approach
3
• Applying nanomechanics in geotechnical engineering
4
• Equipment used to study the nanostructure of soil particle
5

• Practical record of using nanoparticle in soil

6
• Conclusion
7
• Possible future studies
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Department of Civil Engineering, National Fertilizer Corporation (NFC), Institute of Engineering and Fertilizer Research, Faisalabad, Pakistan
 ABSTRACT

 Recent advancements in nanotechnology have opened up exciting possibilities for

enhancing geotechnical engineering practices.

 Recent advancements in nanotechnology are revolutionizing geotechnical engineering,

with nanomaterials expected to play a crucial role in enhancing soil properties

 Nanomaterials are anticipated to play a prominent role in improving soil properties in the
near future.

 A novel categorization is introduced, distinguishing clay particles (0.1-2 mm) from

nanosols (1-100 nm) for a clearer understanding of the nanomaterials' effects on soil
properties.

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Department of Civil Engineering, National Fertilizer Corporation (NFC), Institute of Engineering and Fertilizer Research, Faisalabad, Pakistan
 INTRODUCTION
 Nanoscience and nanotechnology originated from Richard Feynman's 1959 talk,
"There's Plenty of Room at the Bottom," preceding the formal use of the term
"nanotechnology" [1,2].

 The NNI defines nanotechnology as technology development at scales from 1-100

nanometers, involving the creation of structures with unique properties and atomic-
level control.[3]

 Nanoscale materials offer a wide range of benefits in medicine, science, environment,

and commerce, including energy savings, economic efficiency, improved product
quality, and overall enhancement of quality of life.[3]

 Nanotechnology's potential is often undervalued in geotechnical engineering due to its

interdisciplinary nature.[4]

 The concept of "nanosol" as a novel soil classification and explores the use of
nanoparticles to enhance geotechnical properties.[4]
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Department of Civil Engineering, National Fertilizer Corporation (NFC), Institute of Engineering and Fertilizer Research, Faisalabad, Pakistan
 SOIL CLASSIFICATION BASED ON NANO-APPROACH

 Soil comprises mineral particles with a size range from as small as 1 nm to as

large as 75 mm, making it a complex material to study and understand [5][6].

 Classical geotechnical engineering classifies soil into four categories: gravel, sand,
silt, and clay, with varying particle dimensions [7].

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Department of Civil Engineering, National Fertilizer Corporation (NFC), Institute of Engineering and Fertilizer Research, Faisalabad, Pakistan
SOIL CLASSIFICATION BASED ON NANO-APPROACH

Particle Lower limit Upper limit Ratio

Gravel 4.75 mm 75 mm 15.8

Sand 0.075 mm 4.75 mm 63.3

Silt 2 mm 75 mm 37.5

Clay (classical) 1 nm 2 mm 2000

Clay (proposed) 0.1 mm 2 mm 20

Nanosol 1 nm 100 nm 100

Table 1 – The size range of soil particle [7].

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Department of Civil Engineering, National Fertilizer Corporation (NFC), Institute of Engineering and Fertilizer Research, Faisalabad, Pakistan
 APPLYING NANOMECHANICS IN GEOTECHNICAL
ENGINEERING

 Nanomechanics is crucial for comprehending soil and rock mechanical properties, involving
factors like friction, creep, and thermal/chemical effects, driven by nanoparticles' interaction
due to their high specific surface area [7]

 The interaction between soils, rocks, and fluids, such as weathering processes, occurs at the
nanoscale, with porous nanoparticles significantly affecting soil properties through increased
surface area and absorption capacity [7].

 Nanomechanics aids in predicting geotechnical material behavior under specialized

conditions, helping overcome the challenges posed by the complex properties of natural soils
[8].

 Clay, a key component in geotechnical engineering, is a nanomaterial, and its behavior is

fundamentally controlled by nanomechanics [9].
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Department of Civil Engineering, National Fertilizer Corporation (NFC), Institute of Engineering and Fertilizer Research, Faisalabad, Pakistan
 EQUIPMENT USED TO STUDY THE
NANOSTRUCTURE OF SOIL PARTICLE

SEM (Scanning Electron Microscope) [13-16]

TEM (Transmission Electron Microscope) [17-20]

AFM (Atomic Force Microscope) [21-31]

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Department of Civil Engineering, National Fertilizer Corporation (NFC), Institute of Engineering and Fertilizer Research, Faisalabad, Pakistan
PRACTICAL RECORD OF USING NANOPARTICLE IN SOIL
COARSE-GRAINED SOILS
Colloidal silica:

Fig. 1 – Unconfined compressive strength of sand samples grouted with

various percentages of colloidal silica (data obtained from paper of Persoff
et al. [32]).
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Department of Civil Engineering, National Fertilizer Corporation (NFC), Institute of Engineering and Fertilizer Research, Faisalabad, Pakistan
PRACTICAL RECORD OF USING NANOPARTICLE IN SOIL
COARSE-GRAINED SOILS
Colloidal silica:

Fig. 2 – Unconfined compressive strength of sand samples grouted

with various percentages of colloidal silica (data obtained from paper
of Gallagher and Mitchell [33])
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Department of Civil Engineering, National Fertilizer Corporation (NFC), Institute of Engineering and Fertilizer Research, Faisalabad, Pakistan
PRACTICAL RECORD OF USING NANOPARTICLE IN SOIL
COARSE-GRAINED SOILS
Nanoclay:

Fig. 3 – Variations of collapse index versus different

percentages of clay fraction for three series of
samples (data obtained from paper of Ouhadi and
12 Bakhshalipour
Department of Civil Engineering, National Fertilizer Corporation (NFC), Institute of Engineering and Fertilizer Research, Faisalabad, Pakistan
PRACTICAL RECORD OF USING NANOPARTICLE IN SOIL
COARSE-GRAINED SOILS
Nanoclay:

Fig. 4 – Atterberg limits of soil and its mixtures (data

obtained from paper of Mohamadzadeh Sani et al.
[34]).
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Department of Civil Engineering, National Fertilizer Corporation (NFC), Institute of Engineering and Fertilizer Research, Faisalabad, Pakistan
PRACTICAL RECORD OF USING NANOPARTICLE IN SOIL
FINE-GRAINED SOILS
Carbon nanotube (CNT):

Fig. 9 – Variations of collapse index versus different percentages

14 of nanoclay (data obtained from paper of Fazeli et al. [36]).
Department of Civil Engineering, National Fertilizer Corporation (NFC), Institute of Engineering and Fertilizer Research, Faisalabad, Pakistan
 PRACTICAL RECORD OF USING NANOPARTICLE IN SOIL
FINE-GRAINED SOILS
Nano alumina:
 The intended mix ratio for sewage sludge ash and cement was 3:1, with 15% of clay
soil being replaced by sewage sludge ash/cement to create the treated soil.[37]

 Various nano-Al2O3 contents (0, 1, 2, and 3 wt%) were applied to the treated soil,
and their effects on Atterberg limits, unconfined compressive strength (UCS), swell
potential, and California bearing ratio (CBR) were examined.[37]

 The study revealed that 1% nano-Al2O3 was the optimum amount to add to the
sewage sludge ash/cement mixture, resulting in a 4.2 times higher UCS than
untreated soil after seven days of curing.[37]

 The plasticity index (PI) was smaller for the 1% nano-Al2O3-treated soil compared
to other concentrations.[37]

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Department of Civil Engineering, National Fertilizer Corporation (NFC), Institute of Engineering and Fertilizer Research, Faisalabad, Pakistan
PRACTICAL RECORD OF USING NANOPARTICLE IN SOIL
Nanosilica: FINE-GRAINED SOILS

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Department of Civil Engineering, National Fertilizer Corporation (NFC), Institute of Engineering and Fertilizer Research, Faisalabad, Pakistan
PRACTICAL RECORD OF USING NANOPARTICLE IN SOIL
Nanosilica: FINE-GRAINED SOILS

Fig. 11 – Effect of nanosilica in the UCS of soil–lime mixture at various curing times: (a) 1 day, (b)
7 days, (c) 28 days, (d) 90 days (data obtained from paper of Ghazavi and Bolhasani [38]).

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Department of Civil Engineering, National Fertilizer Corporation (NFC), Institute of Engineering and Fertilizer Research, Faisalabad, Pakistan
 CONCLUSION

 Advanced imaging techniques, including SEM, TEM, and AFM, were utilized to
explore the nanostructures of soils in geotechnical applications.

 Nanoparticles possess unique properties due to their extremely small size, leading
to high specific surface areas and surface charges, enabling active interactions
within the soil matrix.

 Even small amounts of nanomaterials can significantly influence the engineering

properties of soil, with effects including increased strength, swelling index, and
compressibility, as well as decreased permeability, liquefaction potential,
settlement, and volumetric strains.

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Department of Civil Engineering, National Fertilizer Corporation (NFC), Institute of Engineering and Fertilizer Research, Faisalabad, Pakistan
 POSSIBLE FUTURE STUDIES

 Assessing the geotechnical properties of soils treated with chemical

additives and nanoparticles.

 The simultaneous effects of nanosilica and microsilica on the geotechnical

properties of soil.

 Research involving the use of nanoparticles with problematic soils.

 Development of behavioral models of the soils stabilization with chemical

additives and nanoparticles

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Department of Civil Engineering, National Fertilizer Corporation (NFC), Institute of Engineering and Fertilizer Research, Faisalabad, Pakistan
 REFERENCE

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Department of Civil Engineering, National Fertilizer Corporation (NFC), Institute of Engineering and Fertilizer Research, Faisalabad, Pakistan 20
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Department of Civil Engineering, National Fertilizer Corporation (NFC), Institute of Engineering and Fertilizer Research, Faisalabad, Pakistan 21
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Department of Civil Engineering, National Fertilizer Corporation (NFC), Institute of Engineering and Fertilizer Research, Faisalabad, Pakistan 23
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Department of Civil Engineering, National Fertilizer Corporation (NFC), Institute of Engineering and Fertilizer Research, Faisalabad, Pakistan 24
 THANK YOU

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