Effect of Ultrafine Cement (UFC) on the Corrosion Resistance of Cement Soil in Peat Soil Environment

Abstract

Many peat soils are distributed around plateau lakes, and the reinforcement of peat soils with high organic matter content by ordinary cement cannot meet the actual engineering requirements. In order to obtain better mechanical properties and durability of the reinforcement, this experiment prepared peat soil by mixing humic acid reagent into the alluvial clay soil with low organic matter content. The cement soil samples were prepared by adding cement and ultrafine cement (UFC) by stirring method; the samples were then soaked in fulvic acid solution to simulate the cement soil in the peat soil environment. Using the unconfined compressive strength (UCS) test, scanning electron microscope (SEM) test, and pores and cracks analysis system (PCAS) test, the effect of UFC content change on cement soil’s humic acid erosion resistance was explored, and the optimal UFC content range was sought. The results of the UCS test show that with an increase in immersion time, the strength curves of cement soil samples gradually increase to the peak strength and then decrease. Significant differences in the time correspond to the peak strength, and the overall presentation is two processes: the strength enhancement stage and the corrosion stage of the sample. The incorporation of UFC makes the cement soil in the peat soil environment exhibit excellent corrosion resistance, and the optimal UFC content is 10%. The results of the SEM and PCAS tests show that the microstructure of cement soil after immersion time exceeds 90 days, increases with an increase in immersion time, and its structural connectivity gradually weakens. The excellent characteristics of UFC particles, such as small particle size, narrow particle size distribution, fast hydration reaction rate, high hydration degree, and many hydration products, weakened the adverse effects of humic acid on the cement soil structure to a certain extent. Therefore, although the number of macropores increases, they are not connected. It still presents a relatively compact honeycomb overall structure, which correlates well with the UCS results.