Monotonic and Hysteretic One-Dimensional Compression Behaviour of Hydrocarbon-Contaminated Fine-Grained Sand Containing Carbonates
ADVANCES IN CIVIL ENGINEERING, cilt.2026, sa.1, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
- Cilt numarası: 2026 Sayı: 1
- Basım Tarihi: 2026
- Doi Numarası: 10.1155/adce/6125376
- Dergi Adı: ADVANCES IN CIVIL ENGINEERING
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Applied Science & Technology Source, INSPEC, Directory of Open Access Journals, Middle East & Africa Database (ProQuest), Engineering Source (EBSCO), Materials Science & Engineering Collection (ProQuest), Technology Collection (ProQuest)
- Orta Doğu Teknik Üniversitesi Kuzey Kıbrıs Kampüsü Adresli: Evet
Özet
This research investigates the monotonic and hysteretic one-dimensional compression behaviour of hydrocarbon-contaminated fine-grained sand under monotonic loading and cyclic loading-unloading conditions. Contaminant (low-density gasoline) was added to sand specimens at 3%, 6% and 9%, with relative densities of 35% and 70%, aiming to simulate loose-medium dense and dense states. The specimens were subjected to effective vertical stresses up to 1800 kPa, with the cyclic programme comprising five successive loading and unloading cycles. Results indicate that contamination increased compressibility, notably at 6% contamination, while 9% reduced it. The increased compression behaviour is linked to reduced friction between sand particles due to lubrication, and at higher contamination rates, hydrocarbons induced a pseudo-cohesive effect due to thicker molecular coverage on the sand particles. Hydrocarbons facilitated yielding at lower effective stress, indicating an earlier transition and greater plastic deformation. Normalised compression behaviour revealed distinct trends for the contaminated specimens across the pre- and post-yield regions, enabling empirical relationships to describe the compression response of the investigated sand-contaminant system. Pronounced cyclic densification was observed in the hysteretic response during repeated loading, especially in the initial cycles. This behaviour was attributed to reduced interparticle resistance and progressive particle rearrangement. Post-test particle-size analysis showed measurable increases in fines content in selected contaminated specimens, indicating particle degradation during cyclic loading. These changes in particle-size distribution were associated with deviations in the hysteretic compression response in later cycles. This research highlights the complex interplay between hydrocarbon contamination levels, loading conditions and granular media density, offering detailed insights into the compression mechanisms of contaminated sand.