Influence of the type and method of bentonite addition on the liquefaction resistance of a standard clean sand
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: During cyclic liquefaction, sandy or gravelly soils may experience a sudden loss of shear strength and stiffness under dynamic loads such as earthquakes. Although conventional ground improvement techniques exist, most of them involve volumetric changes, limiting their applicability in liquefiable soils beneath existing structures. As an alternative, the use of plastic nanoparticles, such as bentonite or laponite, has been explored. However, previous studies have mainly focused on dry addition, while research using suspensions has emphasized in application aspects rather than in the cyclic resistance.This study evaluates the influence of a volcano-sedimentary bentonite on the liquefaction resistance of Ottawa sand through undrained cyclic triaxial tests and cyclic resistance curves. Two incorporation methods were investigated: (i) dry mixing with 3% and 5% dosages, and (ii) permeation with suspensions at 10% and 14%. The suspension dosages were designed to be equivalent to the dry mixes considering sand void ratio and specific gravity. Results show that, for the same number of cycles, permeated samples exhibited cyclic resistance ratios (CRR) 13 to 40% larger than clean sand. In contrast, dry mixtures presented 3 to 30% reduction in CRR, when compared to clean sand. These reductions are related to consistency limits, Na/Ca ratio of the bentonite, and percolation effects, which all reduce the effectiveness of the dry mixes. For permeated samples, the larger concentrations and longer curing periods enhanced cyclic resistance, though at the expense of reduced permeation efficiency due to increased viscosity.
Institutions: Universidad del Valle, University of Minho
Language: English
Subfield: Civil and Structural Engineering
Field: Engineering
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $3,900
Award: G3195369574
OpenAlex ID: W7128906332