Strength and post-freeze-thaw behavior of a marl soil modified by lignosulfonate and polypropylene fiber: An environmentally friendly approach

Lignosulfonate is one of the by-products in the paper and pulp industry that is widely produced around the world and its improper disposal or storage can pose irreparable risks to human health and the environment. Sustainable reuse of this industrial waste as a stabilizing agent not only provides a novel approach in the construction industry, but also prevents the loss of natural resources. In this study, an environmentally friendly strategy involving lignosulfonate as a binder along with the polypropylene (PP) fiber as a reinforcing material was adopted to enhance the characteristics of marl soils from detrimental impacts of freeze-thaw (F-T) cycles. To this end, the pure marl specimens were improved by various contents of lignosulfonate and polypropylene fiber solely and simultaneously and cured for different time intervals. The variables assessed in this study were lignosulfonate content, polypropylene fiber content, curing period as well as the number of F-T cycles. The results showed that the greatest improvement was observed in the samples containing 1.5% lignosulfonate and 0.6% PP fibers, showing the least amplitude of fluctuations in MR reduction upon the F-T cycles. Moreover, freeze-thaw weathering transformed the stress-strain pattern of the samples from strain-softening to hardening behavior as well as increased the ductility behavior. It was observed that the simultaneous application of lignosulfonate and PP fibers led to the complete bonding of soil particles and the formation of interlocking zones around the fiber strands, leading to stronger particle bonding. The results of the Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) test also verified the formation of ionic bonds owing to the inclusion of lignosulfonate in the marl soil and the presence of lignosulfonate in the distance between the mineral layers of the soil. Overall, the reuse of lignosulfonate as a nontraditional alternative to marl soil modification can play an effective role in enhancing the durability and mechanical characteristics as well as sustainable development.

Automated summary

This study investigated the use of lignosulfonate and polypropylene fiber as stabilizing and reinforcing agents for marl soil in order to mitigate the detrimental effects of freeze-thaw cycles. The results showed that the addition of 1.5% lignosulfonate and 0.6% PP fibers led to the least reduction in MR during freeze-thaw cycles. The simultaneous application of lignosulfonate and PP fibers improved particle bonding and increased the ductility of the samples.