Methods of Studying Clay Microstructure

Abstract

This paper is concerned with some methods used for evaluation of clay soil microstructure: optical, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission, electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray, and magnetic methods. A brief description is given of the physical principles of the methods, their advantages and disadvantages, specific methods used for the preparation of specimens for the analysis, and methods of qualitative and quantitative interpretation of the obtained results. Special attention is given to methods not widely used yet in investigations, such as X-ray and magnetic methods.

Strength Improvement Using Polypropylene Fiber as Reinforcement in Natural Pozzolana-lime-stabilized Expansive Clayey Soil Artificially Contaminated by Sulfates

“…In this study, based on the ASTM standards, several UCS [56], microstructure [62], and mineralogy [64] tests were made on the lime-stabilized GS samples, reinforced by different PF amounts with and without sulfates at different curing periods.…”