Saturation strength of earthen ruins reinforced by potassium silicate and influence of environmental factors on reinforcement effect

Unconsolidated undrained(UU) shear tests were carried out on PS reinforced loess specimens from the ancient city of Jiaohe. Soil specimens were initially reinforced by different PS solutions and then were subjected to saturation before UU tests. At the same time, PS reinforced specimens were subjected to disintegration test in water, to wind erosion test in wind tunnel, to freeze-thaw test, to temperature fluctuation test, and to humidity variation test; so that the influence of serious environment of the ancient Silk Road on the reinforcement effect is studied. Specimens reinforced by 3%PS and 7%PS show higher peak shear strength by 90% and 360% respectively, as compared with unreinforced specimens. The addition of 3%PS and 7%PS reinforcement also result in higher residual shear strength by about 50% and 250% respectively. These results show that PS reinforcement is still effective when subjects to saturation due to rainfall; so that PS is suitable for conservation of the earthen ruins in arid area of the Silk Road.