Physicochemical characterisations and basic geotechnical properties of untreated and treated marine stabilised soil with Anadara granosa powder and nano-SiO2 powder

Marine soil in the Penang State of Malaysia was characterised with respect to its engineering properties as a subgrade pavement layer in road constructions and coastal construction projects. The marine soil samples were collected from the Simpang Ampat region of Penang and underwent comprehensive physicochemical, mineralogical, and basic geotechnical analyses, potentially using them as subgrade pavement in road construction. The study explored the impact of incorporating Anadara granosa or better known as cockle shell powder and nano-SiO₂ or nano-silica powder into marine soil, focusing on its physicochemical and geotechnical properties. It involved a series of laboratory experiments to examine the grain size distribution, pH, and ignition loss of marine soil and determine its physical, chemical, and microstructure characteristics. The findings from ANOVA analysis demonstrated that incorporating cockle shell powder and nano-silica powder significantly affected the basic properties of marine soils, such as clay content, dry density, void ratio, and porosity. This study improved the understanding of the physicochemical properties of both untreated and treated marine soils, laying the groundwork for future research aimed at developing engineering solutions and mitigation strategies for coastal construction. Understanding the unique characteristics of marine soils is essential for building sustainable coastal areas and adapting infrastructure to changing environmental conditions.