Microstructure of Fine Clay Soils Stabilized with Sugarcane Molasses

Abstract

Sugar cane molasses has proved cohesive and excellent performance on soil aggregates (fine particles). However, the microstructure of consolidated soil by the molasses is not yet subjected to research. The analysis results of sample without molasses (0%) and consolidated samples at 8%, 12%, and 16% show that the molasses acts on the structure of clayey fine soil developing its microstructure of airy matrix type (sample without molasses (0%) to a microstructure of a qualified type, more solid. Consolidated samples to 8%, 12%, 16% of molasses). We also observe the presence of inter-aggregate pores (mesopores) of similar size in all samples. The results of porosimetrical analyses (BJH) of the sample without molasses and consolidated samples to 8%, 12%, and 16% show that simultaneous porous volumes of samples are reduced with the increasing of molasses quantity. This latter, therefore, acts on the porous volume (micropore < 2 nm and mesopore < 9 nm) by reducing them which really means, molasses occupies the porous volume of the sample. However, this sample seems not to have any effect on the size of mesopores 9 nm. Thus, this product induces the evolution of the soil structure towards the highly dense and condensed structure. Consequently, materials in consolidated soil by molasses will have mechanical properties far superior to those of materials consolidated soil without molasses.

Thermo-Mechanical Properties Study of Stabilized Soil Bricks to Sugar Cane Molasses and Cassava Starch Binders

“…On the whole, these results suggest that the molasses appears as the best in the optimization of the formulations and, consequently, this one contributes better to the improvement of thermo-mechanical performances of stabilized small bricks. Besides, this is justified in research works of Malanda and al (2022), in the microstructural behavior, and in coherence with works by Lima and al (2012), [13] [20].…”

“…The dyeing change of clays of stabilized small bricks reveals that there has probabily had an unexpected chemical reaction between the molasses and the clayey soil. This mechanical behavior can also be explained by the realized microstructural analysis [Malanda and al, 2022].  Resistance in compression of clay small bricks, stabilized with the cassava starch…”

Comparative Analysis of Statistical Thickness Models for the Determination of the External Specific Surface and the Surface of the Micropores of Materials: The Case of a Clay Concrete Stabilized Using Sugar Cane Molasses

“…From a microstructural point of view, we have also observed the presence of inter-aggregate pores (mesopores) in the various samples analyzed, which suggests an evolution of the open soil structure towards a dense granular matrix [4]. However, the aim of this study is to compare four statistical thickness models: the Carbon Black model, the Harkins and Jura model, the Hasley model and the Jaroniec et al model, in the case of clayey concrete stabilized with sugarcane molasses, in order to find the optimum model that best simulates the phenomenon.…”

“…This change compared to unsterilized clayey concrete leads us to believe that stabilization using molasses brings about modifications to the external surface of clayey concrete by occupying the pores [4]. Ngouallat Mfoutou (2020) reports that 53.10 8 molasses molecules occupy the accessible surface of clay concrete [3].…”

Suppression Characteristics and Mechanism of Molasses Solution on Coal Dust: A Low-Cost and Environment-Friendly Suppression Method in Coal Mines

“…Molasses is a by-product of sugar production and is produced worldwide [ 18 , 19 ]. Many studies have shown that molasses can effectively bond to particulate matter [ 19 , 20 , 21 ]. For example, Benk and Coban [ 22 ] showed that molasses can substitute cement as a binder material to produce lightweight and heat-insulating bricks.…”