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Abstract
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This study first examined the mechanisms through which silica fume affects the mechanical properties of cement-stabilized rammed earth (CSRE) by conducting unconfined compressive strength (UCS) tests on cubic specimens, together with splitting tensile and triaxial shear tests on cylindrical specimens. Subsequently, quasistatic tests were performed on CSRE walls to evaluate the influence of silica fume on their seismic performance. The experimental results demonstrated that silica fume markedly improved the mechanical properties of CSRE. In particular, the compressive strength, elastic modulus, tensile strength, cohesion, and internal friction angle increased by 58.1%, 51.2%, 53.0%, 50.1%, and 26.7%, respectively. Based on these findings, an equation was developed to describe the relationship between the compressive and tensile strengths of rammed earth. Although the incorporation of silica fume did not change the failure mode of CSRE walls, it enhanced their peak load, ultimate displacement, initial stiffness, energy dissipation, ductility coefficient, and peak ground acceleration (PGA) by 30.9%, 23.5%, 45.6%, 28.0%, 25.0%, and 56.3%, respectively. The results further indicate that CSRE walls with a silica fume content of 10% satisfy the seismic performance requirements of the target region.
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