Efficiency of different microsilica-based mixtures as mulches in sand stabilization.

Addition of microsilica improves the mechanical properties of mixtures containing Ca(OH)₂ due to the chemical reaction between SiO₂ in microsilica and Ca(OH)₂ in the composition of prepared mixtures. This study aims to compare the efficiency of different microsilica-based mulches in sand stabilization. Several mixtures were prepared through combining microsilica with clay, lime, gypsum, and cement. Data were analyzed as a factorial experiment based on completely randomized design with treatments including: 1) mulch type: microsilica-clay-lime, microsilica-clay, microsilica-cement, microsilica-lime, microsilica-clay-gypsum, and microsilica-gypsum; 2) thickness: one- and two-layers, and 3) time (7 and 60 days) in 3 replications. Penetration resistance (PR), shear strength (SS), threshold friction velocity (V), and soil loss (SL) were measured. Results revealed that microsilica-clay-lime and microsilica-cement showed the highest PR (6.02 kgcm⁻²), SS (7.08 and 6.71 Ncm⁻², respectively), and V (18.25 and 18.11 ms⁻¹, respectively), and the lowest SL which makes them the most suitable mulches for sand stabilization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]