Changes in Physical and Mechanical Properties of Gas Oil–Contaminated Clayey Sand after Addition of Clay Nanoparticles

Abstract

In this paper, behavior of clayey sand contaminated with gas oil was studied through a series of laboratory experiments, and the possibility of improving it for the treatment of physical and mechanical characteristics was studied by the addition of two kinds of clay nanoparticles in both hydrophilic and organophilic types of substances. Samples of natural soil, contaminated soil, and contaminated soil stabilized with nanoclay (NC) and organoclay (OC) were prepared. Tests of durability against the freeze-thaw (F-T) process and of Atterberg limits were performed. The results of the Atterberg limits test showed the return of plasticity properties and a reduction in hydrophobia of contaminated soil amended with a combination of nanoclay and organoclay. Durability tests indicated greater stability and durability in the stabilized contaminated samples at different cycles, including the freeze-thaw process in both types of clay nanoparticles. The initial strength of stabilized samples increased their stability and durability against temperature changes. In general, the possibility of using contaminated soil stabilized with absorbing nanoparticles as basic engineering materials is possible.