Mechanical experiment and microstructural characteristics of water glass solidified loess

In order to explore the influence of water glass on the strength and microscopic mechanism of loess, water glass with different content and Baume degree was used to solidify loess. Unconfined compressive strenght test, particle analysis tests, mercury intrusion tests and SEM tests were carried out to qualitatively and quantitatively analyze the strength characteristics and microstructure changes of loess and water glass solidified loess under different conditions. The results showed that the unconfined compressive strength of water glass solidified loess increased with the increase of the water glass content, the Baume degree and the curing period. After 28 days of curing, the unconfined compressive strength reached the maximum value when the Baume degree of water glass was 52 Be’ and the content was about 20%. The incorporation of water glass gradually increased the cements attached to the loess skeleton particles and their surfaces. The particle diameter increased and the macropores were filled with cements. The macropores in the soil gradually decreased and the integrity was enhanced. The reason for the increase in the strength of water glass solidified loess was that the cementing material generated by the hydration reaction of water glass enhanced the degree of cementation between soil particles and increased the mutual friction between particles, which made the soil structure more stable and improved the soil strength. The research results provide a reference for the selection of relevant parameters in the design of improved loess engineering.