The Cohesive and Fatigue Damage Mechanics of Cement-Stabilized Soil Composites using New Generation Sustainable Cement

Year 2025, Volume: 14 Issue: 3, 1823 - 1848, 30.09.2025

Nazife Erarslan

https://doi.org/10.17798/bitlisfen.1723313

Abstract

In this study, fracture toughness (KIc) and cohesive fracture properties of sandy-clay soils stabilized with low (%2) and high (%10) cement under static and cyclic loading using semicircular (SCB) specimens were investigated by experimental and numerical analysis. Higher KIc values were obtained with samples containing high amounts of cement compared to soils containing low amounts of cement. A significant decrease in KIc value was also observed under cyclic loading compared to monotonic loading test results. Load-crack opening displacement (COD) plots obtained by cyclic loading experiments showed high plastic deformation accumulation before final fracture. Beside these, cohesive and stable critical crack length and the initiation of unstable crack propagation were determined using nonlinear simulations and cohesive fracture analyses of the FRANC2D program. Thus, combined evaluation of the findings from both experimental and numerical studies in this research could lead to improved design strategies for stabilized soil composites by strengthening a comprehensive understanding of fracture mechanics alongside empirical data.

Keywords

Cement-stabilized soil , SCB testing and soil , fracture toughness and stabilized soil , cohesive crack analysis and soil

Ethical Statement

The study is complied with research and publication ethics.

Supporting Institution

TÜBİTAK

Thanks

This research article was published within the TÜBİTAK 1001 program and project number 124M468. The author would like to thank TÜBİTAK for this support.

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