Study on compaction characteristics and discrete element simulation for rubber particle-loess mixed soil

Wen-qi  Kou; Jian-guang  Bai; Hai-jun  Li; Qing-hong  Liu

doi:10.18282/ice.v7i1.618

Wen-qi Kou College of Energy and Transportation Engineering, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot 010018, China
Jian-guang Bai College of Energy and Transportation Engineering, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot 010018, China
Hai-jun Li College of Energy and Transportation Engineering, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot 010018, China
Qing-hong Liu College of Energy and Transportation Engineering, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot 010018, China

Ariticle ID: 618

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DOI: https://doi.org/10.18282/ice.v7i1.618

Keywords: rubber particles; loess; compaction characteristics; discrete element method; micromechanics

Abstract

The rapid surge in traffic volume in China has resulted in a substantial accumulation of waste tires. By harnessing the lightweight and deformable characteristics of tire rubber particles, they are combined with soil to form rubber particle-loess mixed soil, which is progressively being embraced in civil engineering as a pivotal approach towards attaining green and sustainable development. In this study, waste tire rubber particles were integrated into loess to generate rubber particle-loess mixed soil, and compaction tests were conducted to investigate its compaction characteristics. Furthermore, PFC^3D (Particle Flow Code 3D) was utilized for simulating the bearing ratio test of rubber particle-loess mixed soil, thereby validating the feasibility of numerical simulation for calculating CBR (California bearing ratio) values and exploring the relationship between micromechanical characteristics and macroscopic characteristics of such mixtures. The findings indicate that the maximum dry density of rubber particle-loess mixed soil significantly decreases with an increasing content of rubber particles. The utilization of PFC^3D discrete element software proves efficacious in examining the bearing capacity of this mixture. Notably, when 20 mesh rubber particles constitute 20% by volume, the CBR value reaches its pinnacle and exhibits optimal bearing capacity. From a micromechanical perspective, the variation in internal porosity of rubber particle-loess mixed soil is positively associated with changes in macroscopic optimal water content, and negatively associated with changes in macroscopic CBR value. incorporating rubber particles enhances resistance against external forces while diminishing deformation within loess. This study provides a guidance for the efficient utilization of waste tires and the improvement of loess’s characteristics.

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