Effect of rubber particle size and content on the mechanical properties of rubber-clay mixtures solidified by EICP

Using the EICP technique to solidify rubber and clay mixtures as lightweight backfill is a feasible way to reduce waste tire impacts and boost rubber recycling in geotech engineering. In this study, a comprehensive laboratory investigation, including triaxial compression, oedometer, permeability, and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) tests, was conducted on EICP-reinforced rubber particle solidified clay (hereafter referred to as EICP-RC solidified clay) to evaluate the effects of rubber particle content and size on the mechanical behavior of the improved soil under various solidification conditions and to elucidate the solidification mechanism. The results show that although rubber particles inhibits EICP, it significantly enhances the cohesion and internal friction angle of the samples. Additionally, incorporating smaller-sized tire particles facilitated pore filling, resulting in lower compression and swelling indices and reduced permeability coefficients, making these materials suitable for use behind retaining walls and in embankment construction.