Effect on Silt Capillary Water Absorption upon Addition of Sodium Methyl Silicate (SMS) and Microscopic Mechanism Analysis

Silt has the characteristics of developed capillary pores and strong water sensitivity, and capillary water is an important factor inducing the erosion and slumping of silt sites. Therefore, in order to suppress the effect of capillary water, this article discusses the improvement effect of sodium methyl silicate (SMS) on silt. The effect was investigated by capillary water rise testing and contact angle measurement, and the inhibition mechanism is discussed from the microscopic view by X-ray diffraction (XRD) testing, X-ray fluorescence (XRF) testing, scanning electron microscope (SEM) testing and mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP) testing. The results show that SMS can effectively inhibit the rise of capillary water in silt, the maximum height of capillary rise can be reduced to 0 cm when the ratio of SMS (g) to silt (g) increases to 0.5%, and its contact angle is 120.2°. In addition, considering also the XRD, XRF, SEM and MIP test results, it is considered that SMS forms a water-repellent membrane by reacting with water and carbon dioxide, which evenly distribute on the surface of silt particles. The membrane reduces the surface energy and enhances the water repellence of silt, and combines with small particles in the soil, reduces the number of 2.5 μm pores and inhibits the rise of capillary water. View Full-Text