Comparative Analysis of Statistical Thickness Models for the Determination of the External Specific Surface and the Surface of the Micropores of Materials: The Case of a Clay Concrete Stabilized Using Sugar Cane Molasses

In this work, four empirical models of statistical thickness, namely the models of Harkins and Jura, Hasley, Carbon Black and Jaroniec, were compared in order to determine the textural properties (external surface and surface of micropores) of a clay concrete without molasses and clay concretes stabilized with 8%, 12% and 16% molasses. The results obtained show that Hasley’s model can be used to obtain the external surfaces. However, it does not allow the surface of the micropores to be obtained, and is not suitable for the case of simple clay concrete (without molasses) and for clay concretes stabilized with molasses. The Carbon Black, Jaroniec and Harkins and Jura models can be used for clay concrete and stabilized clay concrete. However, the Carbon Black model is the most relevant for clay concrete and the Harkins and Jura model is for molasses-stabilized clay concrete. These last two models augur well for future research.

Characterization of the Clay Collected in the Locality of Dolisie in Congo-Brazzaville

This work aims at the characterization of the clay of the locality of Dolisie for its valorization. The mineralogical analysis was determined by the following techniques (DRX, IR, ATG and ATD), chemical analysis was determined by ICP-AES, CEC was assessed by the Metson method. The geothermal properties were determined by the granulometric analysis of the clay soil and allowed us to position the Dolisie clay in the texture triangle, the landings limits obtained allowed to place the Dolisie clay in the abacus of Casagrande and on the workability map of Bain and Highy. Chemical analysis showed that silica alumina as well as iron oxides are the major constituents in Dolisie clay The mineralogical balance showed that kaolinite and illite have similar percentages which are (20.51%) kaolinite, (28.08) illites. This leads us to believe that kaolinite is not the dominant mineral and the IR spectrum shows that kaolinite is poorly crystallized.

Microstructure of Fine Clay Soils Stabilized with Sugarcane Molasses

Sugar cane molasses has proved cohesive and excellent performance on soil aggregates (fine particles). However, the microstructure of consolidated soil by the molasses is not yet subjected to research. The analysis results of sample without molasses (0%) and consolidated samples at 8%, 12%, and 16% show that the molasses acts on the structure of clayey fine soil developing its microstructure of airy matrix type (sample without molasses (0%) to a microstructure of a qualified type, more solid. Consolidated samples to 8%, 12%, 16% of molasses). We also observe the presence of inter-aggregate pores (mesopores) of similar size in all samples. The results of porosimetrical analyses (BJH) of the sample without molasses and consolidated samples to 8%, 12%, and 16% show that simultaneous porous volumes of samples are reduced with the increasing of molasses quantity. This latter, therefore, acts on the porous volume (micropore 2 nm and mesopore 9 nm) by reducing them which really means, molasses occupies the porous volume of the sample. However, this sample seems not to have any effect on the size of mesopores 9 nm. Thus, this product induces the evolution of the soil structure towards the highly dense and condensed structure. Consequently, materials in consolidated soil by molasses will have mechanical properties far superior to those of materials consolidated soil without molasses.

Adsorption Isotherm of BET Nitrogen of Concretes with Consolidated Soil by Sugar Cane Molasses

Sugar cane molasses is often poured out on roads with soil in the city of Nkayi,Republic of Congo in order to reduce the dust.Nitrogen physical adsorption has allowed us to collect information on the state of the accessible total area according to the quantity of sugar cane molasses.The adsorption isotherms,the specific area,the adsorbed quantity of nitrogen on a Qm mono layer,the number of molecules constituting the adsorbed sugar cane molasses(n′)have been examined.The obtained results show that the quantity of sugar cane molasses in the material does not modify the adsorption isotherm of nitrogen of type IV that remains and a hysteria loop of type H4 in all samples,this justifies the monocoat-multicoat adsorption mechanism with capillary condensation and mesopores presence in the structure of materials.Materials with elaborated raw soil by clayey fine soil used are mesoporous materials.More of 50×1018 molecules constituting sugar cane molasses occupy the extreme area accessible to soil clay,without occupying on accessible sites.