Aqueous Gel in Sands; a Friend or Foe?

Abstract

The response of sands stabilized with colloidal silica aqueous gel is examined in the laboratory. The role of colloidal silica on subsequent sand behaviour is examined with the aid of monotonic loading tests to establish the mechanical response and the resistance of the treated sand to liquefaction. It appears that depending on the loading conditions while the strength of the treated sand is enhanced, its stiffness may reduce and its compressibility increase. This contradictory behaviour is investigated on the basis of an extended database including direct shear, triaxial and normal compression tests.