Permeability and Disintegration Characteristics of Loess Solidified by Guar Gum and Basalt Fiber

Loess has the characteristics of loose, large pore ratio, and strong water sensitivity. Once it encounters water, its structure is damaged easily and its strength is degraded, causing a degree of subgrade settlement. The water sensitivity of loess can be evaluated by permeability and disintegration tests. This study analyzes the effects of guar gum content, basalt fiber content, and basalt fiber length on the permeability and disintegration characteristics of solidified loess. The microstructure of loess was studied through scanning electron microscopy (SEM) testing, revealing the synergistic solidification mechanism of guar gum and basalt fibers. A permeability model was established through regression analysis with guar gum content, confining pressure, basalt fiber content, and length. The research results indicate that the addition of guar gum reduces the permeability of solidified loess, the addition of fiber improves the overall strength, and the addition of guar gum and basalt fiber improves the disintegration resistance. When the guar gum content is 1.00%, the permeability coefficient and disintegration rate of solidified soil are reduced by 50.50% and 94.10%, respectively. When the guar gum content is 1.00%, the basalt fiber length is 12 mm, and the fiber content is 1.00%, the permeability of the solidified soil decreases by 31.9%, and the disintegration rate is 4.80%. The permeability model has a good fitting effect and is suitable for predicting the permeability of loess reinforced with guar gum and basalt fiber composite. This research is of vital theoretical worth and great scientific significance for guidelines on practicing loess solidification engineering.