## 6 Conclusions  
In this study, unconfined compressive strength tests and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) tests were conducted on Zhanjiang Formation structural clay under various disturbance conditions, along with X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. Based on these investigations, the macroscopic mechanical properties and disturbance damage mechanisms were analyzed. The innovation of this paper is twofold: firstly, based on ArcGIS to reconstruct three-dimensional visual images of the microstructure to obtain the microscopic porosity of Zhanjiang Formation structural clay, we discussed the correlation between porosity and unconfined compressive strength and established a regression model between porosity and unconfined compressive strength. Secondly, the three-dimensional Menger sponge model was used to characterize the three-dimensional pore structure of Zhanjiang Formation structural clay with a complex porous system, and it was verified that the microscopic pore structure of Zhanjiang Formation structural clay demonstrates pronounced Menger fractal characteristics. The specific conclusions are as follows:  
1. The porosity of the reconstructed three-dimensional visualization images of the microstructure based on ArcGIS progressively increases with the disturbance degree. Additionally, the flocculated structure of undisturbed structural clay features larger pores and is somewhat sensitive to disturbance. As a result, porosity exhibits a linear increase corresponding to the escalating disturbance degree. The porosity exhibited an increase, whereas the unconfined compressive strength demonstrated a decrease. Notably, the rate of decrease in unconfined compressive strength was 7.657 times greater than the rate of increase in porosity. This indicates that the influence of vibration disturbance on the unconfined compressive strength of the soil is more pronounced than on its microscopic pore structure. Based on a combined correlation and regression analysis of macroscopic mechanical properties and microscopic porosity, a regression model that relates the microscopic porosity of Zhanjiang Formation structural clay to  
Figure 12: SEM images of the sample before and after disturbance: (**a**) \(RD=0\); (**b**) \(RD=0.22\); (**c**) \(RD=0.39\); (**d**) \(RD=0.58\). its unconfined compressive strength has been established. The findings reveal that the unconfined compressive strength of soil is significantly affected by its internal pore structure. Notably, there is a substantial negative linear relationship between the unconfined compressive strength and porosity of the soil. This suggests that porosity can act as a reliable microstructural indicator to predict the variability in the unconfined compressive strength of the soil following disturbance. 2. The microscopic pore structure of Zhanjiang Formation structural clay demonstrates pronounced Menger fractal characteristics. There is a positive correlation between the fractal dimension of the pores and the disturbance degree. This fractal dimension effectively can characterize the pore structure and its complexity, thus representing an essential parameter for quantitatively assessing the pore structure characteristics of Zhanjiang Formation structural clay. 3. The engineering properties of Zhanjiang Formation structural clay were influenced by both its mineral composition and microstructural alterations. Specifically, modifications in the structure of secondary clay minerals were the primary determinants of changes in the soil structure. After vibrational disturbances, the structure of the secondary clay minerals adjusts from a relatively intact state to a fully adjusted state, and the interparticle pores continue to enlarge, making the pore structure more complex. Concurrently, the cementation bonds between particles become progressively weaker, exacerbating structural damage. This process culminates in a steady degradation in the unconfined compressive strength.