# Enhancing Load-Bearing Capacity of Calcareous Sands through Gel Stabilization: A Mechanical and Material Characterization Study

## TL;DR

This study explores using gel stabilization to improve the strength of calcareous sands for civil engineering applications.

## Contribution

The study introduces gel stabilization methods to enhance calcareous sands' load-bearing capacity through mechanical and material analysis.

## Key findings

- Gel stabilization increases dilation and alters stress–strain behavior in calcareous sands.
- Cohesion and secant modulus improve with longer curing periods and higher binder content.
- Principal stress ratios correlate positively with stabilization parameters.

## Abstract

Calcareous sands often display wide ring grain configurations, high intragranular porosity, a complex structure, and low grain hardness. These attributes typically do not meet the strength criteria necessary to sustain overlying infrastructure in civil engineering applications. This study investigates gel stabilization techniques, blending gel material with calcareous sand at concentrations ranging from 5% to 22%, followed by curing periods of 3 to 28 days to evaluate the load-bearing capacity. Subsequently, an unconfined compressive test is performed to determine the gel material content in stabilized specimens and investigate the influence of gel material types. The gel material-to-sand ratios employed are set at 5%, 10%, and 16% for Portland cement and 13%, 16%, and 22% for gypsum. After that, a triaxial consolidated undrained test is conducted to assess mechanical behavior, pore water pressure, and mechanical properties. The findings reveal increased dilation, stress–strain hardening, and softening post-yield, regardless of gel material type. Principal stress ratios, secant modulus, and cohesion show a positive correlation with maintenance duration and binder content, with implications for improved load-bearing capacity. The study also elucidates the qualitative relationship between secant modulus E50 and confining pressure.