Long-term behavior of lime-stabilized kaolinite clay

Clay soils create many problems for highway construction and they have to be replaced or improved by stabilization for satisfactory performance. Lime stabilization is a well-established technique to improve the performance of clays. Cementitious minerals form upon mixing of clay with lime causing an improvement in strength and durability. In the study, the changes in the microfabric of long-term cured lime-stabilized kaolinite clay using X-ray diffraction pattern, scanning electron microscope and unconfined compressive strength (UCS) is presented. Unconfined compression test samples at two different lime contents (4 and 12% by weight) were prepared and cured in a humidity room for long time curing. The UCS of pure kaolinite was originally 125 kPa, which increased to 1,015 kPa after 1 month and to 2,640 kPa (21 times the initial value) after 10 years for cured lime-stabilized kaolinite samples. Similar long-term strength increases were also observed for stabilized kaolinite with 12% lime. Calcium aluminate silicate hydrate minerals were detected in the structure of the kaolinite. This suggests pozzolanic reactions with lime stabilization may continue in the long-term for up to 10 years.     

膨胀土与红黏土石灰改性对比试验研究

为探讨石灰改性膨胀土与红黏土的强度发展规律,以生石灰与消石灰改性的南阳膨胀土与郴州红黏土为研究对象,进行了无侧限抗压、固结快速直剪和固结压缩试验的对比研究。研究发现：在1 a养生龄期内,石灰改性的南阳膨胀土与郴州红黏土无侧限抗压强度与养生龄期的对数基本呈线性关系;按大于最佳含水率3%制样的强度在养生28 d以后高于按最佳含水率制样;生石灰改性效果比消石灰改性效果好,由于矿物成分不同,石灰改性南阳膨胀土的效果比石灰改性郴州红黏土好     

Compressibility behaviour of lime-stabilized clay

Lime stabilization reactions result in the formation of inter-particle cementation bonds that improves strength and reduce compressibility of clay soils. Though several studies in the past have focused on the impact of lime stabilization on the strength behaviour, few studies have examined the impact of lime stabilization on the compressibility behaviour of clay soils. The present study examines the compressibility behaviour of lime-stabilized soils in light of the frameworks proposed for saturated cemented clays. Cementation bonds formed during the lime stabilization reactions imparted yield stress in the range of 3900–5200 kPa to the artificially cemented specimens. The compression behaviour of these artificially cemented specimens in the pre-yield stress and post-yield stress regions conformed to the framework proposed for saturated cemented soils.     

Effect of lime and fly ash on swell,consolidation and shear strength characteristics of expansive clays: a comparative study

Expansive soils swell on absorbing water and shrink on evaporation thereof. Because of this alternate swelling and shrinkage, civil engineering structures founded in them are severely damaged. For counteracting the problems of expansive soils, different innovative techniques were suggested. Stabilization of expansive clays with various additives has also met with considerable success. This paper presents, by comparison, the effect of lime and fly ash on free swell index (FSI), swell potential, swelling pressure, coefficient of consolidation, compression index, secondary consolidation characteristics and shear strength. Lime content (weight of lime/weight of dry soil) was varied as 0%, 2%, 4%?and 6%?and fly ash content (weight of fly ash/weight of dry soil) as 0%, 10%?and 20%. A fly ash content of 20%?showed significant reduction in swell potential, swelling pressure, compression index and secondary consolidation characteristics and resulted in increase in maximum dry density and shear strength. Swell potential and swelling pressure decreased with increase in lime content also. Further, consolidation characteristics improved. Compaction characteristics and unconfined compression strength improved at 4%?lime and reduced at 6%?lime.     

Kerman Clay Improvement by Lime and Bentonite to Be Used as Materials of Landfill Liner

Kerman province, located in the south eastern Iran, is dominated with clays which can be used in different projects. The liner system within a landfill is constructed to control leachate migration and can be constructed by low permeable natural soils or plastic lining materials, environmentally however, natural materials is preferred that usually need to be amended in order to meet requirements recommended by environmental agencies. This research examines the possibility of using the Kerman collapsible clay as a liner layer material. A set of laboratory test was conducted on pure soil samples and additive treated samples. The moderate collapse potential of the used soil is decreased with wet compaction and under the effect of additive-soil reactions. Laboratory investigations showed that lime and bentonite treatment improved the hydraulic conductivity. The results revealed hydraulic conductivities on the order of 10^?8 m/s. The obtained values met the 1.0E?07 m/s criterion required by Iranian standards. Unconfined compression tests were also performed on pure soil and additive amended samples. The unconfined compression strength values demonstrated gradual decreases with the addition of bentonite and considerable increases with adding lime such that with adding 1% lime the unconfined compression strength increased by 75%. This study verified that the Kerman collapsing clay can be used as a liner material using lime and bentonite as additives.     

Coupled consolidation model for negative skin friction on piles in clay layers

Expansive soils swell on absorbing water and shrink on evaporation thereof. Because of this alternate swelling and shrinkage, civil engineering structures founded in them are severely damaged. For counteracting the problems of expansive soils, different innovative techniques were suggested. Stabilization of expansive clays with various additives has also met with considerable success. This paper presents, by comparison, the effect of lime and fly ash on free swell index (FSI), swell potential, swelling pressure, coefficient of consolidation, compression index, secondary consolidation characteristics and shear strength. Lime content was varied as 0%, 2%, 4%?and 6%?and fly ash content as 0%, 10%?and 20%. A fly ash content of 20%?showed significant reduction in swell potential, swelling pressure, compression index and secondary consolidation characteristics and resulted in increase in maximum dry density and shear strength. Swell potential and swelling pressure decreased with increase in lime content also. Further, consolidation characteristics improved. Compaction characteristics and unconfined compression strength improved at 4%?lime and reduced at 6%?lime.     

Effect of Lime Stabilized Soil Cushion on Strength Behaviour of Expansive Soil

An experimental investigation was undertaken to study the effects of lime-stabilized soil-cushion on the strength behavior of expansive soil. In the present investigation, a series of laboratory tests (Unconfined compression tests and CBR tests) were conducted on both expansive soil alone and expansive soil cushioned with lime-stabilized non-expansive cohesive soil. Lime contents of 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10% by dry weight of cohesive non-swelling soil was used in the stabilized soil cushion. Both expansive soil and lime stabilized soil cushion were compacted to Standard Proctor’s optimum condition with thickness ratio 2:1. Tests on cushioned expansive soils were conducted at different curing and soaking periods i.e., 7, 14, 28 and 56 days. The test results revealed that maximum increase in strength was achieved after 14 days of curing or soaking period with 8% of lime content.     

Suppression of swelling associated with ettringite formation in lime stabilized sulphate bearing clay soils by partial substitution of lime with ground granulated blastfurnace slag (GGBS)

Ettringite related swelling in lime-stabilized sulphate bearing clay soil systems has only been reported within the last decade although similar expansive behaviour has been reported in concrete over many years. The use of ground granulated blastfurnace slag (GGBS), an industrial by-product, is well established as a binder in many cement applications where it provides enhanced durability and high resistance to sulphate attack. This paper reports on efforts to extend the use of GGBS to highway and other foundation layers by determining the beneficial effect of the suppression of swelling of lime-stabilized clay soils, particularly in the presence of gypsum. The paper describes the results of laboratory tests on lime-stabilized kaolinite containing different levels of added gypsum and on lime-stabilized gypsum (selenite) bearing Kimmeridge Clay to which, in both cases, the lime has progressively been substituted with GGBS. The tests determine the linear expansion behaviour of compacted cylinders, during moist curing in a humid environment at 30°C and during subsequent soaking in de-ionized water. The results illustrate that substitution of lime with GGBS produces significant reduction in linear expansion of lime-stabilized clay soils particularly those containing gypsum.     

Effect of Fly Ash and Rice Husk Ash on Index and Engineering Properties of Expansive Clays

Many innovative ameliorating techniques including chemical stabilization have been in practice for improving the behaviour of problematic, highly expansive clays. This paper presents a comparative study on the effect of fly ash (FA) and rice husk ash (RHA) on index and engineering properties of an expansive clay. Liquid limit (LL), plastic limit, plasticity index (PI) and free swell index (FSI), and coefficient of permeability (k), unconfined compressive strength and swelling pressure were determined at varying quantities of FA and RHA. Coefficient of permeability, swelling pressure and unconfined compressive strength of the FA-clay and the RHA-clay blends were determined at their respective OMC and MDD obtained from Proctor compaction tests. LL, PI and FSI decreased significantly with increasing FA and RHA contents. Coefficient of permeability, however, increased with additive content. Further, swelling pressure of the blends decreased with increasing additive content.     

粉煤灰改良膨胀土试验研究

研究掺粉煤灰对合肥膨胀土的物理性质指标以及胀缩性指标等的影响,探讨利用粉煤灰改良膨胀土的措施与效果。试验研究结果表明,在膨胀土中掺入适量的粉煤灰可有效降低膨胀土的塑性指数、降低膨胀势、减小线缩率与降低活性。在膨胀土中掺入粉煤灰还可改变膨胀土的击实特性,一定击实功作用下,随着掺灰率的增加,土体的最优含水率与最大干密度均减小,膨胀土中掺入粉煤灰后,膨胀土可在较小的含水率下通过击实或压实达到稳定。掺灰膨胀土的膨胀量与膨胀力随养护龄期的增长而减小;没有经过养护的掺灰土,其无侧限抗压强度随掺灰率的变化几乎没有变化,经过7 d养护后,土的无侧限抗压强度有所增长,并且存在一个峰值点,合肥膨胀土的无侧限抗压强度所对应的最佳掺粉煤灰率约为15 %～20 %。     

Mechanical properties of lime-treated clay reinforced with different types of randomly distributed fibers

In this paper, a comparative experimental study was carried out to evaluate the effect of inclusion of different fiber types on strength of lime-stabilized clay. In this scope, a series of unconfined compressive strength tests were carried out on specimens including basalt and polypropylene fiber compacted under Standard Proctor effort (i.e., 35% by weight of soil). The effects of curing period (1, 7, 28, and 90 days), fiber type (basalt and polypropylene), fiber content (0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1%), fiber length (6, 12, and 19 mm), and lime content (0 and 9%) on strength properties were investigated. The results revealed that both basalt and polypropylene fibers increased the strength without inclusion of lime. For specimens including lime, strength of polypropylene fiber-reinforced specimens was remarkably higher than that reinforced with basalt fiber for lime-stabilized clay. However, greatest strength improvement was obtained by use of 0.75% basalt fiber of 19 mm length with 9% lime content after 90-day curing. Additionally, results of strength tests on specimens including 3 and 6% lime and 12-mm basalt fiber after 1, 7, 28, and 90-day curing were presented. It is evident that the use of 6-mm basalt fiber and 12-mm polypropylene fiber were the best options; however, efficiency of fiber inclusion is subject to change by varying lime contents. It was also observed that the secant modulus was increased by use of lime; however, strength of the correlations among secant modulus and unconfined compressive strength values was decreased by increasing amount of lime for specimens including both basalt and polypropylene fibers.     

Influence of enzymatic lime on clay mineral behavior

Atterberg Limit Tests, unconfined compressive strength tests, and California Bearing Ratio Tests were conducted on the two minerals—kaolinite and bentonite—after subjecting them to stabilization with lime, enzyme, and enzymatic lime. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of enzymatic lime as a stabilizer over lime and enzyme. Results establish that enzymatic lime stabilization is the better stabilizer in terms of strength development. The unconfined compressive strength and California Bearing Ratio values of enzymatic lime stabilized samples have increased up to 5 and 30 times in the case of kaolinite mineral, but to only less than 1.5 times in the case of bentonite mineral. The study thus indicates that enzymatic lime stabilization is predominantly effective for clays containing kaolinite minerals.     

Evaluation of Engineering and Cement–Stabilization Parameters of Clayey–Sand Mixtures under Soaked Conditions

Clay soils, especially clay soils of high or very high swelling potential often present difficulties in construction operations. However, the engineering properties of these clay soils can be enhanced by the addition of cement, thereby producing an improved construction material. Higher strength loss of cement stabilized clay soils after soaking in water is attributed to water absorbing capacity of the clay fraction (e.g. montmorillonite). Kaolinite and illitic soils are largely inert and resist to water penetration. These clays generally develop satisfactory strengths resulting to low strength reduction [Croft, 1967]. The swelling clays such as bentonite soaked in water, due to environmental conditions, result to volume increase causing macro and micro-fracturing in engineering structures. These fractures accelerate water penetration and consequently cause greater strength loss [Sällfors and Öberg-Högsta, 2002]. The water intrusion during soaking creates swelling and disrupts the cement bonds. The development of internal and external force systems in soil mass, due to soaking conditions, establish the initiation of slaking. Internal force system of a stabilized clayey soil consists of the resultant stresses established by the bonding potential of a cementing agent and the swelling potential of a clay fraction. In an effort to study this influence of soaking conditions and final absorbed water content on the stabilization parameters (cement, compaction, curing time), both unconfined compressive strength and slaking (durability) tests were carried out on two different cement stabilized clayey mixtures consisted of active bentonite, kaolin and sand.     

Classification,shear strength,and durability of expansive clayey soil stabilized with lime and perlite

An experimental study was performed to investigate the effect of perlite and perlite–lime admixtures on classification, shear strength, and durability properties of an expansive soil containing smectite clay minerals. Two types of mixtures, namely soil–perlite and soil–perlite–lime, were prepared with different percentages of perlite and compacted with standard Proctor energy at their optimum water contents. Samples of 38 mm diameter and 76 mm height for durability tests and square samples of 60 mm edge for shear box test were taken and preserved until test time in a desiccator. Disturbed samples were also taken to determine liquid and plastic limits. The expansive soil shows behavior of fine sand and silt due to pozzolanic reactions in microstructure caused by addition of lime and perlite. Although apparent cohesion of treated soil decreased with increasing amount of perlite for both types of samples, perlite–lime-treated samples had higher apparent cohesion than only perlite-treated samples. Large increments in angle of shearing resistance were obtained with increasing usage of perlite. Samples stabilized with only perlite could not show enough durability at the durability tests based on volumetric stability and unconfined compression strength. However, samples stabilized with lime and more than 30 % perlite proved to have enough durability and shear strength.     

Effects of mellowing sulfate-bearing clay soil stabilized with wastepaper sludge ash for road construction

The main objective of this research was to investigate the effect of mellowing on the swelling properties of stabilized Lower Oxford Clay (LOC), a sulfate-bearing clay soil that has caused concern in the past due to expansion upon stabilization. Two stabilizers were used, quicklime and a more sustainable stabilizer — wastepaper sludge ash (WSA), an industrial by-product used on its own and in combination with either quicklime (CaO) or ground granulated blastfurnace slag (GGBS). Quicklime was used on its own as a control. Compacted cylinders of LOC stabilized with the various stabilizers were made either mellowed (compacted 3 days after mixing with stabilizer) or unmellowed (compacted immediately after mixing with stabilizer). The linear expansion of the stabilized cylinders during moist curing and subsequent soaking was monitored for a total of 100 days. The results obtained showed that the linear expansion of unmellowed stabilized LOC was significantly reduced, and thus in terms of swelling potential, mellowing was not beneficial in the LOC system investigated. The results observed also suggest that there are technological, economic as well as environmental advantages of utilizing WSA and similar industrial by-products, in the stabilization of sulfate-bearing and other clay soils, as an alternative to the traditional stabilizers of lime and/or Portland Cement.     

南宁膨胀土长期压缩特性研究

膨胀土的结构、胀缩机制、力学特性和改良方法等方面已有广泛研究,但关于膨胀土长期压缩特性研究甚少,而需对膨胀土地区路基长期稳定性、隧道开挖对地基及地下构筑物长期影响的研究,使得膨胀土长期压缩特性的研究变得尤为重要。采用取自南宁地铁东站某基坑膨胀土进行长期一维压缩试验,研究固结压力、含水率分别对压缩指数 、次压缩系数 的影响、压缩指数 与次压缩系数 的关系、预压处理和石灰处治对膨胀土长期压缩特性的影响,寻求降低膨胀土次压缩性的最佳方案。试验结果表明,南宁膨胀土的压缩指数与次压缩系数呈线性关系;与其他黏土相比,膨胀土次压缩特性较低;预压处理和改良处理可以减小土体的次压缩性,经预压处理的改良膨胀土次压缩性最低。     

Research on the stabilization treatment of clay slope topsoil by organic polymer soil stabilizer

The topsoil of clayey slope is easy to erosion because it is weak in its strength, water stability and erosion resistance. A new organic polymer soil stabilizer, which was developed for the stabilization treatment of clay slope topsoil and was named as STW, was introduced in this study. In order to understand the effect of STW on the stabilization of clayey soil, laboratory tests on the unconfined compressive strength, shear strength, water stability and erosion resistance of untreated and treated soil specimens are performed, The results indicated that STW soil stabilizer can significantly increased the unconfined compression strength, shear strength, water stability and erosion resistance of clayey soil. The unconfined compression strength increased with the increasing of curing time and the variation mainly occurs in the first 24-hour. With the addition amounts of STW increasing, the strength, water stability and erosion resistance increased at the curing time being 48 h, but in the case of friction angle, no major change was observed. Based on the scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis of the stabilized soil, the stabilization mechanisms of STW soil stabilizer in the clayey soil were discussed. Finally, a field test of the stabilization treatment of clay slope topsoil with STW was carried out, and the results indicated that the STW soil stabilizer on the stabilization treatment of clay slope topsoil is effective for improving the erosion resistance of slope topsoil, reducing the soil loss and protecting the vegetation growth. Therefore, this technique is worth popularizing for the topsoil protection of clay slope.     

Effect of polypropylene fibre and lime admixture on engineering properties of clayey soil

In order to reduce the brittleness of soil stabilized by lime only, a recent study of a newly proposed mixture of polypropylene fibre and lime for ground improvement is described and reported in the paper. To investigate and understand the influence of the mixture of polypropylene fibre and lime on the engineering properties of a clayey soil, nine groups of treated soil specimens were prepared and tested at three different percentages of fibre content (i.e. 0.05%, 0.15%, 0.25% by weight of the parent soil) and three different percentages of lime (i.e. 2%, 5%, 8% by weight of the parent soil). These treated specimens were subjected to unconfined compression, direct shear, swelling and shrinkage tests. Through scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis of the specimens after shearing, the improving mechanisms of polypropylene fibre and lime in the soil were discussed and the observed test results were explained. It was found that fibre content, lime content and curing duration had significant influence on the engineering properties of the fibre–lime treated soil. An increase in lime content resulted in an initial increase followed by a slight decrease in unconfined compressive strength, cohesion and angle of internal friction of the clayey soil. On the other hand, an increase in lime content led to a reduction of swelling and shrinkage potential. However, an increase in fibre content caused an increase in strength and shrinkage potential but brought on the reduction of swelling potential. An increase in curing duration improved the unconfined compressive strength and shear strength parameters of the stabilized soil significantly. Based on the SEM analysis, it was found that the presence of fibre contributed to physical interaction between fibre and soil whereas the use of lime produced chemical reaction between lime and soil and changed soil fabric significantly.     

干湿循环对合肥马鞍山路膨胀土强度特性的影响

膨胀土属高塑性黏土,是一种典型的非饱和土,性质极不稳定,其吸水膨胀、失水收缩、干缩裂隙发育等特性常常使建筑物产生不均匀的胀缩变形,造成在膨胀土地基上的建筑物位移、开裂、倾斜,甚至破坏,是一种典型的工程灾害性地质土。另外,膨胀土边坡也常由于雨水的作用失稳,造成不必要的损失。近年来,对膨胀土的强度和变形特性的研究已成为热点。其最大的特点是：在季节气候的影响下其强度特性具有明显的规律变动。通过模拟土体季节性的干缩湿胀,测定其自由膨胀率、液塑限、抗剪强度和无侧限抗压强度,并与掺入7％石灰后的改良土的试验数据及其他试验资料对比,探讨干湿循环效应对膨胀土强度的影响。     

电阻率法评价膨胀土改良的物化过程

掺石灰、粉煤灰是工程中通常采用的改良膨胀土的方法。土电阻率是土的基本物理指标之一,其变化可反映土的其他物理性质指标的变化。通过掺灰改良膨胀土不同养护龄期下的电阻率测试以及膨胀量、膨胀力及无侧限抗压强度等试验研究,探讨了掺灰改良膨胀土养护过程中的物理化学反应过程。根据养护过程中的电阻率随龄期的变化规律,可将改良膨胀土的物理化学反应过程划分为瞬时反应阶段、主体反应阶段、残余反应阶段和稳定阶段4个不同阶段。针对改良膨胀土质量控制和评价体系中存在的不足,提出了基于电阻率指标的改性膨胀土的质量评价方法,通过试验证实了该方法的有效性和实用性。