Effect of nano-silica & lime on soil structure stability indices of earthy side slopes

Nano-particles can be used for the soil conservation practices due to high specific area and high efficiency in low volume. Nano-particles cannot perform well individually similar to the lime. So, in this study nano-SiO2 in combination of lime was used for slope stabilization.

In this study, control treatment (without nano-SiO2 and lime) and different combinations of nano-SiO2 and lime including 0.05% nano + 2% lime, 0.1% nano + 4% lime, 0.6% nano + 6% lime, 0.4% nano + 8% lime, 0.8% nano + 10% lime, 2% lime, 6% lime, 10% lime, 0.05% nano and 0.1% nano were sprayed on 0.25 m-2 plots. Treatments were conducted in three replications on cutslopes with gradient of 100% in Bahramnia forest roads. After the curing times of 7 and 28 days, soil samples were collected to measure the stability indices of soil structure using wet and dry sieving.

In this study, there wasn’t significant trend in aggregate stability indices versus increasing the concentrations of lime and nano-SiO2. Maximum values of MWDwet, MWDdry and AS was detected for treatment 3 (0.6% nano + 6% lime) in curing time of 28 days which was 66.24%, 51.01% and 72.98% higher as compared with control. Minimum rate of AS was observed for treatment 8 (10% lime) which was 82.36% lower as compared with control. All of the treatments cause to decrease DI except for treatments 1 (0.05% nano) and 8. Minimum DI was observed for treatment 3, which was 257.61% higher than control.In this study, there wasn’t significant trend in aggregate stability indices versus increasing the concentrations of lime and nano-SiO2. Maximum values of MWDwet, MWDdry and AS was detected for treatment 3 (0.6% nano + 6% lime) in curing time of 28 days which was 66.24%, 51.01% and 72.98% higher as compared with control. Minimum rate of AS was observed for treatment 8 (10% lime) which was 82.36% lower as compared with control. All of the treatments cause to decrease DI except for treatments 1 (0.05% nano) and 8. Minimum DI was observed for treatment 3, which was 257.61% higher than control.

Results of this study showed the positive effect of mixed treatment of lime and nano-SiO2 on stability of soil structure. 0.6% nano+6% lime had better influence on reduction of aggregate destruction percentage.Results of this study showed the positive effect of mixed treatment of lime and nano-SiO2 on stability of soil structure. 0.6% nano+6% lime had better influence on reduction of aggregate destruction percentage.