Potential Application of Lateritic Soil Stabilized with Cement Kiln Dust (CKD) as Liner in Waste Containment Structures

This study evaluates the applicability of residually derived lateritic soil stabilized with cement kiln dust (CKD), a waste product from the cement manufacturing process as liner in waste repositories. Lateritic soil sample mixed with 0–16 % CKD (by dry weight of the soil) was compacted with the British Standard Light, West African Standard and British Standard Heavy compaction efforts at water contents ranging from the dry to wet of optimum moistures. Geotechnical parameters such as Atterberg limits, compaction characteristics, hydraulic conductivity, unconfined compressive strength and volumetric shrinkage strain were determined. Results indicate that the plasticity index, the maximum dry unit weight and hydraulic conductivity together with the volumetric shrinkage decreased with increased amount of CKD while the optimum moisture content and unconfined compressive strength increased with higher CKD content for all the efforts. When measured properties were compared with standard specifications adopted by most environmental regulatory agencies for the construction of barrier systems in waste containment structures, the resulting values showed substantial compliance. Besides developing an economically sustainable liner material, the present study demonstrated effective utilization of an industrial by-product otherwise considered as waste by the producers, in addition to a systematic expansion in the use of the lateritic soil for geotechnical works.     

Diffusion of municipal waste contaminants in compacted lateritic soil treated with bagasse ash

Compacted clay can minimize infiltration of liquid into waste or control the release of contaminated liquids to the surrounding soils and groundwater. Compacted lateritic soil treated with up to 12 % bagasse ash and municipal solid waste (MSW) leachate sourced from a domestic waste land fill were used in diffusion test studies to access the diffusion characteristics of some inorganic species present in the municipal solid waste leachate. Diffusion set-up were prepared containing 0, 4, 8 and 12 % bagasse ash—soil mixes compacted at 2 % wet of optimum using the modified proctor effort. The set up was saturated with water for 30 days before the introduction of MSW leachate and initiation of diffusion test for another 90 days. After diffusion testing, water content within the soil column showed a decrease with depth. Diffusion test results generally showed that diffusion is an active means of transport of chemical species even at very low flow rates in the compacted soil-bagasse ash mixes, and the effective diffusion coefficient is affected by bagasse ash. The pore fluid concentration profile for the various chemical species tested showed that the compacted soil-bagasse ash mix has the capacity to attenuate Ca²⁺, Pb²⁺ and Cr³⁺ ions.     

Hydraulic and compaction characteristics of leachate-contaminated lateritic soil

Large quantities of leachate-contaminated lateritic soil results from dump yards in the southwest coast of India. These dump yards receive large quantities of municipal solid waste which includes chemical, industrial and biomedical wastes. Large areas of land are currently being used for this purpose. An extensive laboratory testing program was carried out to determine the compaction characteristics and hydraulic conductivity of clean and contaminated lateritic soil. Batch tests were used to study the immediate effect of leachate contamination on the properties of lateritic soil. Contaminated specimens were prepared by mixing the lateritic soil with leachate in the amount of 5%, 10% and 20% by weight to vary the degree of contamination. The results indicated a small reduction in maximum dry density and an increase in hydraulic conductivity due to leachate-contamination. The change induced by chemical reaction in the microstructure of the soil was studied by scanning electron microscope before and after contamination of soil with leachate. The structure of the leachate contaminated soil sample appeared to be aggregated in scanning electron microscope analysis. The aggregated structure increases the effective pore space and thus increases the hydraulic conductivity. Fifty percent increase in hydraulic conductivity was observed for specimens prepared at standard Proctor density and mixed with 20% leachate. Compaction characteristics did not change much with the presence of leachate up to 10%. With 20% leachate the maximum dry density decreased slightly indicating excess leachate in the soil. However the changes are not significant.     

Desiccation-Induced Volumetric Shrinkage of Compacted Foundry Sand Treated with Cement Kiln Dust

Foundry sand, an industrial waste, was treated with up to 12 % cement kiln dust content at comparative energy levels of British standard light, West African standard or “intermediate” (WAS) and British standard heavy (BSH) efforts at molding water contents ?2, 0, 2, 4 and 6 % of optimum moisture content. Samples were extruded from the compaction molds and allowed to air dry in the laboratory in order to assess the effect of desiccation-induced shrinkage on the material for use as a hydraulic barrier in waste containment application. Results recorded show that volumetric shrinkage strain (VSS) values were large within the first 5 days of drying; VSS values increased with higher molding water content, water content relative to the optimum moisture content. VSS generally increased with higher initial degree of saturation for all compactive efforts, irrespective of the level of cement kiln dust (CKD) treatment. A compaction plane of acceptable zones for VSS based on the regulatory value is ≤4 %. The influence of CKD treatment generally showed a decrease in the desiccation-induced volumetric shrinkage strain with increasing CKD content. This is largely due to the pozzolanic input of CKD. Finally, only the BSH compactive effort gave successful results of volumetric shrinkage strain at CKD treatment content of between 4 and 8 %, while 12 % CKD content produced successful volumetric shrinkage strain results at WAS and BSH compactive effort, respectively.     

Evaluation of Strength Characteristics of Tropical Black Clay Treated with Locust Bean Waste Ash

An expansive tropical black clay (also known as black cotton soil because the cotton plant thrives well on it) was treated with up to 15 % locust bean waste ash (LBWA) to assess its soil improvement potential. Samples were subjected to index, compaction using three energy levels (British Standard light, BSL, West African Standard, WAS or ‘Intermediate’ and British Standard heavy, BSH), shear strength (unconfined compressive strength, UCS), California bearing ratio, CBR and durability tests. Results obtained show that the natural soil is not suitable for road construction. The maximum dry density (MDD) and optimum moisture content (OMC) decreased and increased, respectively. Regardless of the compactive effort and curing period, strength and durability properties increased with higher LBWA content with the BSL effort recording the best improvement. However, based on durability results, the optimal 12.5 % LBWA treatment of black cotton soil did not satisfy criteria for its use in road construction as a stand alone additive. Also, significant improvement in soil properties was obtained using the BSL compactive effort, which is easily achieved in the field. The benefits of the application include reduction in the cost of soil improvement and the adverse environmental impact of locust bean waste.     

Heave Studies on Fly Ash-Stabilised Expansive Clay Liners

Clay liners or compacted earthen barriers are important barrier materials used for preventing contaminant transport through soils. A low hydraulic conductivity (k) is a significant parameter that governs the design and construction of clay liners. Compacted expansive clays, which are montmorillonite clays, also have a very low hydraulic conductivity (k). When expansive clays are blended with fly ash, an industrial waste, the hydraulic conductivity (k) further reduces as the ash-clay blends result in increased dry densities at increased fly ash contents. Hence, fly ash-stabilised expansive clay can also be proposed as a unique clay liner material. As expansive clays undergo heave when they come into contact with water, it is necessary to study the heave behaviour of fly ash-stabilised expansive clay liners. This paper presents heave studies on fly ash-stabilised expansive clay liners. Fly ash in different contents by dry weight of the expansive clay was added to the clay, and the ash-clay blend was compacted as a liner overlying a natural field soil layer. Compacted lateritic clay was used for simulating the natural field soil into which contaminants migrate. Calcium chloride (CaCl₂) solution of varying concentration (5, 10, 20, 50, 100 and 500 mM) was used as the permeating fluid in the heave studies. The rate of heave and the amount of heave of the fly ash-stabilised expansive clay liners were monitored. Deionised water (DIW) was also used as inundating fluid for comparative study. Heave (mm) decreased with increase in solute concentration for all fly ash contents. For a given solute concentration, heave decreased up to a fly ash content of 20 % and thereafter it increased when the fly ash content was increased to 30 %. Heave of the fly ash-stabilised expansive clay liners was correlated with their permeability, liquid limit (LL) and free swell index (FSI) pertaining to the respective fly ash content and CaCl₂ concentration.     

Studies on Hydraulic Conductivity of Fly Ash-Stabilised Expansive Clay Liners

Earthen barriers or clay liners are a major concern in geo-environmental engineering. They are designed to preclude or reduce leachate migration. Hence, a low hydraulic conductivity (k) is an important parameter in the design of clay liners. Materials such as bentonite and lateritic clays, which have a low hydraulic conductivity at high dry densities, are used in the construction of clay liners. Compacted expansive clays which are high in montmorillonite content also have a very low hydraulic conductivity. When expansive clays are blended with fly ash, an industrial waste, the hydraulic conductivity further reduces as the ash-clay blends result in increased dry densities at increased fly ash contents. Hence, fly ash-stabilised expansive clay can also be proposed as an innovative clay liner material. It is, therefore, required to study various physical and engineering properties of this new clay liner material. Liquid limit (LL) and free swell index (FSI) are important index properties to be studied in the case of this clay liner material. The hydraulic conductivity of this new clay liner material depends on the fly ash content in the blend. Further, parameters such as solute concentration and kinematic viscosity also influence hydraulic conductivity of clay liners. This paper presents experimental results obtained on hydraulic conductivity (k) of fly ash-stabilised expansive clay liner at varying fly ash content and solute concentration. The tests were performed with deionised water (DIW), CaCl₂, NaCl and KCl as permeating fluids. Fly ash content in the blend was varied as 0, 10, 20 and 30 % by weight of the expansive clay, and the solute concentration was varied as 5 mM (milli molar), 10, 20, 50, 100 and 500. It was found that hydraulic conductivity (k) decreased with increasing fly ash content, solute concentration and kinematic viscosity. Further, hydraulic conductivity (k) was correlated with LL and FSI of the clay liner material for different fly ash contents and solute concentrations. Useful correlations were obtained.     

Hydraulic Conductivity Tests for Evaluating Compatibility of Lateritic Soil—Fly Ash Mixtures with Municipal Waste Leachate

Long term competent performance of liner systems is a critical issue in the design and construction of waste repositories due to adverse interactions associated with leachate generated by wastes. This study was conducted to verify the efficacy of fly ash stabilization in enhancing compatibility between lateritic soil and municipal waste leachate. Applications investigated include soil mixtures containing 0, 5, 10, 15, and 20% fly ash compacted at approximately 2% wet of optimum moisture content with modified proctor energy. Baseline hydraulic conductivity was first established at every level of fly ash content by permeating soil mixtures with tap water before permeation with leachate in a compaction mould permeameter using the falling head test method. Results show that the trend in hydraulic conductivity of specimen containing 0% fly ash was characterized by a gradual but erratic decrease which may suggests partial entry of the leachate cations into the double layer. Conversely, specimens containing fly ash showed a general trend consisting of an initial drop in k (up to an order of magnitude) that was followed by slight decrease sustained until k stabilized and later terminated. Above 10% fly ash content, the relatively high values of k observed was not connected with the reactivity of the soil mixtures with leachate, rather it may be attributed to excessive fly ash content that altered their textural and hydraulic properties. The result of this study is potentially significant in the assessment of fly ash as a compatibility enhancing agent which can be admixed in barrier materials that are susceptible to adverse reactions with the liquid to be contained.     

Hydro-mechanical evaluation of soil stabilized with cement-kiln dust in arid lands

This study evaluates the potential use of cement-kiln dust (CKD), a waste product from the cement industry, for enhancing the mechanical as well as the hydraulic properties of soils in arid lands. Stabilized products will play a major role in reducing slope failures, pavement damage and the design of containment barriers for hazardous waste in arid lands. Various tests to determine the different physical properties of the stabilized matrix were conducted and the optimum mixture that produces maximum internal energy and minimum hydraulic conductivity was selected. The effect of soaking and unsoaking of the treated specimens on the mechanical properties was also evaluated. The effect of metal ion concentration and conjugate anions on the resultant hydraulic conductivity was evaluated. The optimum percentage of CKD was calculated by using stress-strain data, Newton's divided difference and Simpson's integration technique. The analyses have shown that 6% by weight of CKD is the optimum mix design, which increases the shear strength and decreases the hydraulic conductivity to less than 10^-9 m/s. Therefore, the treated soil could be used as a soil-based barrier layer for containment of hazardous waste.     

Assessment of Cement Kiln Dust-Treated Expansive Soil for the Construction of Flexible Pavements

An expansive soil (black cotton soil) treated with up to 10 % cement kiln dust (CKD), a waste obtained from the manufacture of cement, was evaluated for use as a flexible pavement construction material. Laboratory tests were carried out on specimens compacted with British Standard light, British Standard light or standard Proctor (relative compaction = 100 %) energy. Results obtained show that the index properties of the soil improved with CKD treatment. Peak unconfined compressive strength of 357.07 kN/m² and California bearing ratio (CBR) of 7 % as well as resistance to loss in strength of 44 % were recorded at 10 % CKD treatment. Reduction in the particle sizes with curing period was observed when samples were viewed through the scanning electron microscope. The study showed that CKD can be beneficially used to improve the subgrade of lightly trafficked roads and as admixture in lime stabilization during construction of flexible pavements over expansive soil.     

Hydraulic Conductivity of Compacted Granite Residual Soil Mixed with Palm Oil Fuel Ash in Landfill Application

Laboratory tests were carried out on compacted granite residual soil treated with 0 to 15% Palm Oil Fuel Ash (POFA), with a view to evaluate its hydraulic conductivity for its application in landfilling. The Soil–POFA mixtures were compacted using both Standard and Modified Proctors compactive efforts at 2% dry of Optimum Moulding water Content (?2%), at Optimum Moulding water Content (0%), at 2 and 4% on the wet side of Optimum Moulding water Content (+2 and +4%). The samples were permeated with water and the effect of moulding water content; compactive effort and POFA content were examined. The samples that met the minimum threshold of 1 × 10^?9 m/s were used in plotting the acceptable zones criterion at various POFA mixtures. The results gave indications of reduction in the hydraulic conductivity values, with increase in compactive efforts, moulding water content and POFA content up to about 10%. This was the most suitable soil–POFA mixture for the hydraulic application.     

废旧轮胎胶粉对高岭土变形和渗透性质的影响

废旧轮胎胶粉用于填埋场衬垫材料改性,是提高衬垫系统有效性和扩展废旧轮胎资源化利用途径的一种手段。以高岭土作为黏性土的代表,开展废旧轮胎胶粉-高岭土混合土的力学和水力学性质试验,重点探讨胶粉掺量及尺寸对混合土渗透性、压缩性和收缩性的影响规律。研究表明,废旧轮胎胶粉-高岭土混合土的渗透系数、压缩系数、回弹指数、固结系数和体缩率等均随胶粉掺入比的增加而增大。高岭土及混合土的无侧限抗压强度大于200kPa,50kPa和200kPa压力下渗透系数满足≤1.0×10-7cm·s-1的要求,均属于中压缩性土,且体缩率小于体积应变合格值4%。与30目胶粉相比,12目胶粉-高岭土混合土压缩性和回弹量较小、固结系数较大,胶粉尺寸对无侧限抗压强度、体缩率和渗透系数的影响不显著。在本文试验条件下,为提高黏土衬垫对有机污染物的吸附能力并满足渗透性、强度及变形的要求,12目25%胶粉改性黏土可作为填埋场黏土衬垫材料。     

Effect of Water and Leachate on Hydraulic Behavior of Compacted Bentonite,Calcareous Sand and Tuff Mixtures for Use as Landfill Liners

Compacted soil–bentonite liners, consisting of a sandy soil mixed with bentonite as backfill, are used extensively as engineered barriers for contaminant containment. This paper studies the valorization of local materials containing calcareous sand, tuff obtained from Laghouat region (in the South Algeria), to associate with bentonite in order to improve their hydraulic characteristics for use as landfill liner material. Firstly, a geotechnical characterization of mixtures chooses from a fixed percentage to 10% bentonite and different percentages of calcareous sand and tuff so that they are complementary to 90% by not 10%. Thereafter, the determination of saturated hydraulic conductivity at falling-head permeability (K_v) and oedometer (K_id, indirect Measure) tests of all compacted mixtures at Optimum Normal Proctor have been carried out using both permeates by tap water and a landfill leachate in order to simulate long-term conditions. The results showed that the saturated hydraulic conductivity of tap water is relatively lower than the one saturated by leachate in the falling-head test, unlike the oedometer test. The B₁₀CS₂₀T₇₀ mixture has satisfied the hydraulic conductivity criterion of bottom barriers (i.e. water permeated: k_v20° = 1.97 × 10^?9 and k_id from 7 × 10^?9 to 1.83 × 10^?10 < 10^?9m/s; leachate permeated: k_v20° = 2.91 × 10^?9 and k_id from 7 × 10^?9 at 1.44 × 10^?10 < 10^?9 m/s). Finally, a comparison between direct measurements of the saturated hydraulic conductivity by triaxial (K_d) test and oedometer test (K_id) in the range of effective stress applied 100–800 kPa led to propose equations of correlations between these two methods. In conclusion, adopted formulation B₁₀CS₂₀T₇₀ perfectly meets the regulatory requirements in force and constitutes an economic product based on available local materials for engineers barriers.     

Tropical residual soil as compacted soil liners

A series of laboratory tests was conducted on a tropical residual soil, which is widespread and readily available over a considerable part of Peninsular Malaysia, to assess whether it could be compacted as hydraulic barriers in waste disposal landfills. Index properties, swelling potential, cation exchange capacity (CEC), compaction characteristics, and hydraulic conductivity of the soil indicate that it is inorganic, very plastic, inactive (activity <0.75), moderately expansive (modified free swell index is about 3.06), and of fair attenuation capacity (for inorganic contaminants). For hydraulic conductivity measurement, the soil was compacted in rigid-wall permeameter moulds at a variety of water contents and compactive efforts and then permeated with de-aired tap water. The results of hydraulic conductivity tests illustrate that hydraulic conductivity lower than 1×10^–7 cm/s can be achieved using a broad range of water contents and compactive efforts, including water contents dry of optimum. Its shrinkage and strength properties show that it has minimal potential to shrinkage and has adequate strength to support the overburden pressure imposes by the waste body. These findings suggest that the residual soil can be potentially utilized as compacted soil liner material.     

Physical and Compaction Behaviour of Clay Soil–Fly Ash Mixtures

At present, nearly 100 million tonnes of fly ash is being generated annually in India posing serious health and environmental problems. To control these problems, the most commonly used method is addition of fly ash as a stabilizing agent usually used in combination with soils. In the present study, high-calcium (ASTM Class C—Neyveli fly) and low-calcium (ASTM Class F—Badarpur fly ash) fly ashes in different proportions by weight (10, 20, 40, 60 and 80 %) were added to a highly expansive soil [known as black cotton (BC) soil] from India. Laboratory tests involved determination of physical properties, compaction characteristics and swell potential. The test results show that the consistency limits, compaction characteristics and swelling potential of expansive soil–fly ash mixtures are significantly modified and improved. It is seen that 40 % fly ash content is the optimum quantity to improve the plasticity characteristics of BC soil. The fly ashes exhibit low dry unit weight compared to BC soil. With the addition of fly ash to BC soil the maximum dry unit weight (γ_dmax) of the soil–fly ash mixtures decreases with increase in optimum moisture content (OMC), which can be mainly attributed to the improvement in gradation of the fly ash. It is also observed that 10 % of Neyveli fly ash is the optimum amount required to minimize the swell potential compared to 40 % of Badarpur fly ash. Therefore, the main objective of the study was to study the effect of fly ashes on the physical, compaction, and swelling potential of BC soils, and bulk utilization of industrial waste by-product without adversely affecting the environment.     

Efficacy of Fine-Grained Soil as Landfill Liner Material for Containment of Chrome Tannery Sludge

This paper evaluates the potential use of a fine-grained soil obtained from a site in West Bengal, India, as a suitable landfill liner material for the containment of hexavalent chromium from tanning waste sludge. The physico-chemical properties of the soil were determined. The soil adsorption affinity for hexavalent chromium was also assessed through adsorption batch and breakthrough column tests. The zero point charge (pH_zpc) of the soil was found to be 7.3. The batch kinetics and column tests results indicated that the soil liner possesses a relatively good hexavalent chromium adsorption capacity at natural or slightly alkaline condition. The adsorption results showed that the hexavalent chromium uptake by the soil follows both Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption isotherms. This study also illustrated that the hexavalent chromium breakthrough curve in the column experiment reached equilibrium concentration after 3.5 pore volumes (900 h). Overall, this study showed that the fine-grained soil has the potential for usage as a landfill liner or as a component of a landfill barrier system to prevent chromium contamination from the tannery waste disposal.     

Swelling characteristics of compacted lateritic soil–bentonite mixtures subjected to municipal waste leachate contamination

Compacted soil–bentonite mixtures are finding wide application as buffer material for waste repositories for their favorable self-sealing qualities. The swelling properties of such materials which serve as a measure of their self-sealing capabilities and, thus, the efficiency of the repository in sealing off their contents from the environment are closely related to the chemistry of the leachate that emanate from the wastes. For this reason, the swelling parameters (namely swelling potential and pressure) of compacted lateritic soil–bentonite mixtures under consideration for use as barrier in municipal waste landfill were evaluated. Series of swelling potential and pressure tests were performed using variable content (0–10 %) of bentonite at predetermined optimum moisture content. Soil mixtures were compacted with British Standard Heavy compactive effort and saturated with processed tap water as well as three leachate solutions of varying ionic strength that were generated in active open dump landfills. Experimental results showed that swelling potential based on the free swell together with the maximum swell pressures of compacted soil mixtures measured at equilibrium increased approximately linearly with increase in the amount of bentonite when inundated with processed tap water and the three leachate solutions. On the other hand, these swelling parameters decreased as the ionic strength of the leachate solutions measured by their electrical conductivity increased for the various soil mixtures. These results provide an insight into the swelling behavior and the possible degradation in the efficiency of the proposed lateritic soil–bentonite mixtures in relation to their use as buffer material in waste landfills.     

Comparative reliability evaluation of lateritic soils as hydraulic barriers

A numerical investigation to determine the existence or otherwise of congruence between laboratory-based and field-based models for predicting hydraulic conductivity of compacted clay liners has been conducted. The comparisons here are based on values of the reliability index estimated with the use of the two models for cases when hydraulic conductivity is assumed to be normally and lognormally distributed. The laboratory reduced Proctor and modified Proctor compactive efforts were assumed to correspond to the lowest and highest compactor weights (165kN and 338kN for sheepsfoot rollers only from literature) respectively. The standard Proctor compactive effort was assumed to correspond to the mean compactor weight of 261.4kN. Reliability estimates from the laboratory-based model were consistently higher than the corresponding values from the field-based model for each of the variables common to the two models. As laboratory samples usually involve small samples which are often unrepresentative of field situations, it is considered that reliability levels estimated with the use of the field-based model provide more realistic assessment of compacted lateritic soils as hydraulic barriers. Compactor weight of 300kN and above may be needed for effective compaction of lateritic soil liners. Reliability-based designs of lateritic soil liners should incorporate appropriate probability distribution types for variables in the field-based model.     

Effects of alkaline-activated fly ash and Portland cement on soft soil stabilisation

This paper studies the effects of sodium-based alkaline activators and class F fly ash on soil stabilisation. Using the unconfined compressive strength test (UCS), the effectiveness of this binder is compared with that of a common cement-based binder. Influence of the activator/ash ratio, sodium oxide/ash ratio and sodium hydroxide concentration was also analysed. Sodium hydroxide concentrations of 10, 12.5 and 15 molal were used for the alkaline-activated specimens (AA), with activator/ash ratios between 1 and 2.5 and ash percentages of 20, 30 and 40 %, relatively to the total solids (soil + ash). UCS was determined at curing periods of 7, 28, 90 and 365 days, and the most effective mixtures were analysed for mineralogy with XRD. The results showed a clear increase in strength with decreasing activator/ash ratio (up to a maximum of 43.4 MPa), which is a positive result since the activator is the most expensive component in the mixture. Finally, UCS results of the cement and AA samples, at 28 days curing, were very similar. However, AA results proved to be just between 20 and 40 % of the maximum UCS obtained at 1 year curing, while cement results at 28 days are expected to be between 80 and 90 % of its maximum.     

The Use of Municipal Solid Waste Incinerator Ash to Stabilize Dune Sands

Dune sands are problematic soils because they have low shear strength and are susceptible to collapse upon wetting. Dosages of municipal solid waste incinerator ash between 10 and 80?% were used to improve the engineering properties of dune sands. The soil-ash mixtures were allowed to cure for periods from 7 to 90?days. Laboratory tests such as compaction, unconfined compression, shear box and hydraulic conductivity tests were performed to measure the engineering characteristics of the stabilized material. The results showed that the maximum dry density remains approximately constant up to ash content of 30?% and then it decreases with the increase in ash content. The optimum water content increases with the increase in ash content. The unconfined compressive strength substantially increases with ash content up to 30?% and then decreases with the increase in ash content. The angle of friction follows similar trend to the unconfined compressive strength. However, the cohesion shows a steady increase with the ash content. The hydraulic conductivity of the stabilized material consistently decreases with the increase in the ash content. The effect of curing time on the hydraulic conductivity is minimal after 7?days of curing time. However, the unconfined compressive strength and the cohesion slightly increased with curing time up to 90?days.