The significance of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis on the microstructure of improved clay: An overview

This study aims to emphasize the importance of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) in explaining the differences in the physical and mechanical behaviors of the improved clays before and after improvement. Generally, clays appear as problematic soils in the construction area. The reasons for this can be low strength, high compressibility, high level of volumetric changes, and swelling potential. The behavior of clays may not always be interpreted according to their physical and mechanical properties. In such cases, analyses are carried out according to the microstructure of the clay. Among several microstructural analyzes, SEM is very important, because the soil microstructure formed by clay particles and additives can be observed. This work discusses the studies based on the microstructural properties of the improved clay with SEM analysis. As a result of the studies carried out, it has been seen that unexplained physical or mechanical behavior can be explained by the microstructural behaviors of clay particles and additives.