Three-Meter Column Testing of Colloidal Silica Transport through Porous Media

The purpose of this research is to evaluate colloidal silica transport mechanisms in loose sands susceptible to liquefaction risk. Previous work consisting of short (0.9 m) column tests identified that the primary variable influencing stabilizer transport through soil formations is the viscosity of the stabilizer solution. The work reported here verified the results of the previous tests. It consisted of three long column tests (3 meters) in which dilute colloidal silica was successfully delivered to long soil columns in adequate concentrations to stabilize the soil.