Investigation of nano-silica effects on Coarse-grained soil’s compressive strength: A case study for Aras Free Trade Zone (AFTZ)

Based on the increasing the usage of the resources and population growth, the soil with suitable properties for civil engineering project such as pavement construction is not available. Therefore, it is obligatory that the enhancement of local soils properties should be appropriately deliberated. If for some reason it is not possible to relocate the project and replace the soil, or if the cost of soil replacement is not cost-effective, the soil remediation method should be considered so that if this method is economically and technically justifiable, it should be done. From this perspective, the effects of Nano-silica on soil compressive strength are important and necessary. In this study, a specific and different number of samples are prepared for comparison. The purpose of this study is to measure the uniaxial compressive strength of granular soils. It was concluded that Nano-silica filled pore space between Sand particles and a dense matrix were formed. This textural event caused an improvement in compressive strength of stabilized soils In this regard, the use of Nano-silica as a suitable and efficient additive in the thickening processes is recommended.