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.     

New design chart for geotechnical ground improvement: characterizing cement-stabilized sand

Cement stabilization of soil is a useful method to improve the mechanical behaviors and engineering performance of soils in geotechnical design and construction projects involving weak or liquefiable soils. Among the factors affecting the strength of cement-stabilized soils, water content and water–cement ratio are important but less well understood because of controversial views. This paper presents a systematic laboratory study to investigate the effects of water content and water–cement ratio on the unconfined compressive strength, with good control of the packing density and void ratio of the tested specimens. The effects of void ratio and cement content are also investigated. The strength of the cement-stabilized sand continuously decreased with increasing water–cement ratio within the range of 0.5 to about 3. A general equation is suggested to evaluate the unconfined compressive strength of cement-stabilized soil. Finally, a new conceptual characterization chart is proposed with consideration of the effects of cement content, water content, and water–cement ratio.

     

A geoenvironmental application of burned wastewater sludge ash in soil stabilization

This paper studied the use of burned sludge ash as a soil stabilizing agent. The sludge ash was obtained from a public wastewater treatment plant, and it was burned at 550 °C. Different percentages of burned sludge ash were mixed with three different types of clayey soil. A laboratory study consisting of Atterberg’s limits test, unconfined compressive strength test, standard proctor density test, and swelling pressure test were carried out on samples treated with burned sludge at different percentages by dry weight of the clayey soils. The results show that the addition of 7.5 % of the burned sludge ash by the dry weight of the soil will increase the unconfined compressive strength and maximum dry density and also decrease the swelling pressure and the swell potential of the soil. The addition of percentage higher than 7.5 % by dry weight of the soil decreases both the maximum dry density and the unconfined compressive strength; as a result it showed less effectiveness in stabilizing the soil. The conclusion of this research revealed that the burned sludge ash can be used as a promising material for soil stabilization.     

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.     

Influence of Liquid Limit and Slaking on Cement Stabilized Clayey Admixtures

Clayey soils, especially clayey soils with high or very high liquid limits (> 60%) often present difficulties in construction operations because they usually contain expansive clay minerals. However, the engineering properties of clay soils can be enhanced by the addition of either cement or lime, thereby producing an improved construction material. In this research, slake durability was related to the liquid limit and unconfined compressive strength of clayey admixtures. Three of the most important components in clay soils, namely, kaolinite, montmorillonite and quartz, were combined to make the clayey admixtures. A slaking value of 45% is suggested as identifying satisfactory stabilization. For clayey admixtures with liquid limit between 40% and 60%, this could be achieved with the addition of between 4% and 12% cement. Clayey admixtures with liquid limits over 60% could only achieve this with large uneconomical amounts of cement (> 12%).     

Shear strength characteristics of Irbid clayey soil mixed with iron filling and iron filling–cement mixture

Iron filling and iron filling–cement mixture were used to improve the shear strength characteristics of Irbid clayey soil. For this purpose, five types of Irbid clay soils were obtained and mixed with iron filling and iron filling–cement mixture at different percentages. Two sets of prepared samples were mixed with the admixture. The first set was prepared by mixing the soil samples with iron filling alone at 2.5, 5.0, 7.5, and 10% by dry weight of the soil. The second set was prepared by mixing with iron filling–cement mixture at equal ratio of the same percentages of the first set. An unconfined compression test was performed in this study to measure the shear strength properties of the soils. The test results showed that the increase in the percentages of the iron filling and iron filling–cement mixture up to 10% will result in increasing the maximum dry density of the soil and increase the unconfined compressive strength and the secant of modulus of elasticity of the clayey soil. Also, the addition of iron filling–cement mixture increased the unconfined compressive strength and secant modulus of elasticity of the clayey soil higher than the addition of iron filling alone.     

A Solution to the Problem of Predicting the Suitability of Silty–clayey Materials for Cement-stabilization

Major geotechnical problems in construction involving silty–clayey soils are due to their low strength, durability and high compressibility of soft soils, and the swell–shrink nature of the overconsolidated swelling soils. Confronted with these problems, a suitable ground improvement technique is needed, for deep excavations in soft clays, for stability, durability and deformation control. Cement-stabilization is one of the alternatives. An increase in strength and durability, reduction in deformability are the main aims of this method. Conventional cement-stabilization methods are used mainly for surface treatment. However, the use of cement has recently been extended to a greater depth in which cement columns were installed to act as a type of soil reinforcement (deep cement–soil mixing and cement jet grouting). In situ engineering properties of these silty–clayey soils are often variable and difficult to predict. For this reason cement-stabilization methods have a basic target to control the aforementioned engineering properties of these clays so that the properties of a silty–clayey soil become more like the properties of a soft rock such as clayey shale or lightly cemented sandstone. So cement-stabilization of these soils is essential to control their engineering properties and to predict their engineering behaviour for construction. In an effort to predict, classify and study the suitability of silty–clayey soils for cement-stabilization both slaking and unconfined compressive strength tests were carried out on clayey–sand mixtures consisted of two types of clays, kaolin and bentonite. Finally diagrams were prepared to study the variation of slaking and strength due to compaction, curing time and cement percentage and also to predict areas of efficient cement-stabilization.     

Influence of grain size gradation of sand impurities on strength behaviour of cement-treated clay

In nature, soils are often composed of varying amounts of clay, silt and sand. Variation of the percentage of these compositions can affect the final strength of the soils when stabilised with cement. In this study, focus was placed on clayey soils with different gradation of sand impurities up to 40% in mass. An extensive study of such clayey soils treated with cement was investigated. For the results, it is noted that water:cement ratio was a major influence of strength development of cement-treated clayey soils. In contrast, the soil:cement ratio was found to have minor effects on the strength development. The presence of sand impurities has a significant reduction on the strength development of the cement-treated clayey soil mixture due to more free water available for hydration. The use of free-water:cement ratio is adopted which was shown to be capable of adjusting for such change in amount of free water and water holding capacity of the clay which is determined with Atterberg’s liquid limit tests. The effects of gradation (fine, coarse and well-graded) of the sand impurities were found to affect strength development minimally, owing to similarities in their liquid limits when mixed with clay. Ordinary Portland cement (OPC)-treated clayey soils produced a more rapid gain in strength but lower final strength at 28 days of curing as compared with Portland blast furnace cement (PBFC). This is found to be persistent for different gradation of sand impurities. A linear correlation can be established based on the log of the unconfined compressive strengths developed at different curing age, with slopes of these linear trends found to be similar for PBFC and OPC-treated clayey soil specimens. Finally, a strength prediction model comprising of these findings is developed. The parameters adopted in this model coincide with values proposed by past studies, thereby validating the robustness of the model. The practical benefits from this study offer a quality control scheme to forecast long-term performance of cement-treated clayey soils as well as optimise cement dosage in cement stabilisation to produce a more cost-effective and less environmental-invasive usage of the technology in geotechnical applications.

     

Utilization of bituminous limestone ash from EL-LAJJUN area for engineering applications

The following work aims at minimizing the environmental impact of the solid wastes (ash) that is produced after the utilization of the bituminous limestone in thermal power stations and /or retort processes. Limy ash has been prepared from the El-Lajjun bituminous limestone by direct combustion at 1,200, 950, and 525°C respectively. The laboratory tests have been selected with respect to construction needs and possible post construction conditions. Utilization of the various types of ash in the stabilization problematic soils from Jordan as brown soils and the clayey marl has revealed optimum results. The unconfined compressive strength of the parent brown soil and the clayey marl has been raised from 5 kg/cm² to 50 and 25 kg/cm², respectively. The CBR value has been raised from 4.5 to 150% for both problematic soil types. Various mortars and construction elements can be produced at normal room curing temperature without the use of ordinary Portland cement (OPC). Low quality sub-base and base course can be mixed with ash to produce cement treated base (CTB) and roller compacted concrete (RCC) without OPC. Durable pavements, embankments can be constructed with very long life and low cost. CTB and RCC utilizing ash can be used in dam construction instead of normal soil in earth fill dams. The high alkalinity of El-Lajjun ash is considered as a disadvantage to be utilized in normal concrete mixes for structural purposes. Ash only can be mixed with aggregates to produce lean concrete like for blinding purposes to be prepared for foundation activities.     

Cement-Stabilization of Sabkha Soils from Al-Auzayba,Sultanate of Oman

Sabkha soils are salt-bearing formations that are formed in arid regions. In their in situ states the sabkha soils have high compressibility and low shear strength. These soils are also heterogeneous and their properties depend on the type and amount of salt present. Thus, these soils are not suitable for support of infrastructures without the risk of high settlement and/or bearing capacity failure. This paper investigates the possibility of using cement to improve the shear strength of sabkha soils for possible use as a foundation-bearing soil. The sabkha soil used in this study is a sandy sabkha obtained from the coastal plains at Al-Auzayba, Sultanate of Oman. Cement was added in percentages of 2.5, 5, 7.5 and 10%, by dry weight of soil. The soil-stabilizer mixers were allowed to cure for 7, 14 and 28 days. Laboratory tests such as compaction, unconfined compression, consolidated undrained triaxial and durability tests were performed to measure the engineering characteristics of the stabilized material. The results showed substantial improvements in the shear strength of the sabkha–cement mixtures and the mixtures are also durable with small weight loss after 12 wetting/drying cycles. Thus, cement can be used to improve the shear strength of sabkha soils. Furthermore, the effective stress path and the tress-strain relation of the sabkha–cement mixtures follow trends similar to those of cemented calcareous soils.     

矿渣胶凝材料固化软土的力学性状及机制

利用矿渣胶凝材料固化软土,既可利用工业废渣,又能减少水泥的用量。以矿渣胶凝材料固化黏土、砂土二种软土。发现矿渣胶凝材料加固软土的效果远好于水泥、石灰,其9 %掺量的固化土28 d的无侧限强度达到2.0 MPa以上,普遍高于15 %掺量的水泥固化土,且其28 d固化土的软化系数普遍高于90 %以上,固化黏土后CBR值远高于同掺量的石灰固化土。X衍射结构分析表明,矿渣胶凝材料水化时产生的高强难溶的矿物晶体是其固化软土效果好的主要原因。因此,矿渣胶凝材料是一种性能优异的软土加固材料。     

Behavior of expansive soils stabilized with fly ash

Expansive soils cause serious problem in the civil engineering practice due to swell and shrinkage upon wetting and drying. Disposal of fly ash, which is an industrial waste in both cost-effective and environment-friendly way receives high attention in China. In this study, the potential use and the effectiveness of expansive soils stabilization using fly ash and fly ash-lime as admixtures are evaluated. The test results show that the plasticity index, activity, free swell, swell potential, swelling pressure, and axial shrinkage percent decreased with an increase in fly ash or fly ash-lime content. With the increase of the curing time for the treated soil, the swell potential and swelling pressure decreased. Soils immediately treated with fly ash show no significant change in the unconfined compressive strength. However, after 7 days curing of the fly ash treated soils, the unconfined compressive strength increased significantly. The relationship between the plasticity index and swell-shrinkage properties for pre-treated and post-treated soils is discussed.     

Sustainable Improvement of Tropical Residual Soil Using an Environmentally Friendly Additive

Many tropical residual laterites have relatively poor engineering properties due to the significant percentage of fine-grained soil particles that they contain, which are formed by the soil weathering process. The widespread presence of laterite soils in tropical regions often requires that some form of soil improvement be performed to allow for their use in various civil engineering applications, such as for road base or subbase construction. One of the most commonly utilized stabilization techniques for laterite soils is the application of additives that chemically react with the minerals that are present in soil to enhance its overall strength; effective soil stabilization can allow for the use of site-specific soils, and can consequently result in significant cost savings for a given project. With an increasing focus on the use of more environmentally friendly and sustainable materials in the built and natural environments, there is an emerging interest in eco-friendly additives that are an alternative to traditional chemical stabilizers. The current study examines the viability of xanthan gum as an environmentally friendly stabilizer that can improve the engineering properties of tropical residual laterite soil. Unconfined compressive strength (UCS) tests, standard direct shear tests, Brunauer, Emmett, and Teller (N₂-BET) surface area analysis tests and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) tests were used to investigate the effectiveness of xanthan gum for stabilization of a tropical laterite soil. The UCS test results showed that addition of 1.5% xanthan gum by weight yielded optimum stabilization, increasing the unconfined compressive strength of the laterite soil noticeably. Similarly, direct shear testing of 1.5% xanthan gum stabilized laterite specimens showed increasing Mohr–Coulomb shear strength parameters with increases in curing time. From the FESEM results, it was observed that the stabilization process modified the pore-network morphology of the laterite soil, while also forming new white layers on the surface of the clay particles. Analysis of the test results indicated that xanthan gum stabilization was effective for use on a tropical residual laterite soil, providing an eco-friendly and sustainable alternative to traditional soil stabilization additives such as cement or lime.     

高含水率疏浚淤泥新型复合固化材料试验研究

基于传统水泥固化处理方法,提出了水泥-生石灰-高分子添加剂新型复合固化材料处理高含水率疏浚淤泥的新方法,以期快速降低淤泥含水率并提高固化淤泥的无侧限抗压强度,拓展水泥固化淤泥的含水率范围,达到高效廉价固化处理高含水率疏浚淤泥的目的。通过系列室内试验,探讨了该方法处理后高含水率淤泥的无侧限抗压强度变化规律以及各材料掺入比对强度的影响规律。研究结果表明,水泥掺入比低于7%的新型固化材料处理初始含水率2倍液限的高液限淤泥,早期强度大于0.5 MPa,28 d强度大于1 MPa;固化淤泥强度随龄期、水泥和生石灰掺入比的增大而增大;给出了考虑多因素多水平的无侧限抗压强度预测公式,预测值与实测值基本一致     

Influence of Drying on the Stiffness and Strength of Cement-Stabilized Soils

Nowadays, improving the strength and deformation properties of soft soils by deep soil mixing is a commonly used technique. There is also an increasing interest in the use of this technique for foundation/structural elements and excavation retaining walls applications. The compressive strength and elastic modulus of the soil mix material are key parameters in the design of these structures. However, there is very limited information available on the impact of exposure to air drying (in the case of retaining wall) on the strength and stiffness of cement stabilized soils. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of different curing conditions (immersion in water, cycles of wetting and drying, continuous air drying) on the mechanical properties of soils treated with cement in the laboratory. Free–free resonance tests and unconfined compression tests were performed on specimens of silt and sand treated with blastfurnace slag cement. Strength increases more rapidly than stiffness between 7 and 30 days. The strength of stabilized soils submitted to cyclic wetting and drying before the cement hydration process is complete continues to increase. As long as the periods of drying do not induce microcracks, the stiffness of the treated soil specimens also increases with time. However, the stiffness is lower than for the specimens cured in water indicating a disruptive effect of the imposed wetting–drying cycles on stiffness. Continuous exposure to air drying inhibits strength development due to insufficient water for hydration. Significant stiffness decreases were observed on specimens of stabilized silt and are attributed to microcracking.     

Effect of the combination of lime and natural pozzolana on the compaction and strength of soft clayey soils: a preliminary study

Soft soil stabilization has been practised for quite some time by mixing additives, such as cement, lime and fly ash to the soil to increase its strength. However, there is a lack of investigations on the use of natural pozzolana alone or combined with lime for ground improvement applications. An experimental programme was undertaken to study the effect of using lime, natural pozzolana or a combination of both on the geotechnical characteristics of soft soils. Lime or natural pozzolana was added to soft soils at ranges of 0?C10% and 0?C20%, respectively. In addition, combinations of lime?Cnatural pozzolana were added to soft soils at the same ranges. Test specimens were subjected to compaction tests, shear tests and unconfined compression tests. Specimens were cured for 1, 7, 28 and 90?days, after which they were tested for unconfined compression tests. Based on the favourable results obtained, it can be concluded that the soft soils can be successfully stabilized by the combined action of lime and natural pozzolana. Since natural pozzolana is much cheaper than lime, the addition of natural pozzolana in lime?Csoil mix may particularly become attractive and can result in cost reduction of construction.     

Evaluation of the effectiveness of olive cake residue as an expansive soil stabilizer

The quantity of the by-product olive cake residue generated in most parts of the Mediterranean countries continues to increase and expected to double in amount within 10–15 years. This increase intensifies the problems associated with the disposal of this by-product. Olive cake residue has a potential for use as a soil stabilizer and large volumes can be beneficially used. This study is directed toward determining if olive cake residue can be utilized to increase the strength and stability of expansive soils which constitute a costly natural hazard to lightweight structures on shallow foundations. A series of laboratory tests using engineering properties, such as Atterberg limits, moisture-density relationship (compaction), swell, unconfined compressive strength were undertaken to evaluate the effectiveness and performance of the olive cake residue as a soil stabilizer. Test results indicate that an addition of only 3% burned olive waste into the soil causes a reduction in plasticity, volume change and an increase in the unconfined compressive strength. However, it was observed that the presence of burned olive waste in the soil greater than 3% caused an increase in the compressibility and a decrease in the unconfined compressive strength. Test results indicate that the use of olive waste in soil stabilization gives greater benefits to the environment than simply disposing of the by-product, olive cake residue.     

黄土渗透和强度性能的改良优化

为探寻适用于黄土地区海绵城市建设的具有较高强度和防渗性能的路基换填材料,通过对掺入水泥、聚丙烯纤维、膨润土的黄土进行强度和渗透性试验,并基于正交试验和田口方法的信噪比分析,获得了改良黄土各掺量的最优配比方案。结果表明:水泥掺量对改良黄土的无侧限抗压强度影响最显著,聚丙烯纤维掺量和长度对其渗透系数影响最大;改良黄土各掺量的最优配比为聚丙烯纤维长度取12 mm、聚丙烯纤维掺量取0.3%、膨润土和水泥掺量分别取3%和8%;在3、7、14 d养护龄期下,最优配比改良黄土的强度和渗透性能均优于不同配比的石灰改良黄土。改良的黄土各掺量最优配比可为黄土地区海绵城市道路建设中的路基处理提供参考。      

Some geotechnical properties of a lime-stabilized laterite containing a high proportion of aluminium oxide

The engineering properties of many soils can be improved by lime stabilization. Not all such soils, however, show improved strength. Such non-reactive soils will show no strength increase regardless of lime type and percentage, curing environment and duration of treatment.The type and amount of minerals and elements may either facilitate or inhibit increase in strength. The strength of soils possessing high proportions of aluminium oxide could be reduced when stabilized with lime and cured over a long period at a high temperature. This decrease in strength is due to the type of reaction products formed.A Kenyan laterite with a high proportion of aluminium oxide was stabilized with different percentages of lime and cured over periods of uo to 28 days. The results show that with a lower percentage of lime, the unconfined strength decreases with increase in curing time. However, when the amount of lime is increased, there is an increase in strength with curing time. The immediate California Bearing Ratio (C.B.R.) values are observed to be functions of density and moisture content. The higher the density, the greater the C.B.R. values.     

Utilization of red mud as a stabilization material for the preparation of clay liners

Red mud is a waste material generated by the Bayer Process widely used to produce alumina from bauxite throughout the world. Approximately, 35% to 40% per ton of bauxite treated using the Bayer Process ends up as red mud waste. Because of storing issues, the waste negatively affects the environment. To solve this problem, it is essential to investigate different uses for red mud waste. The potential use of red mud for the preparation of stabilization material is presented in this study. This study examines the effects of red mud on the unconfined compressive strength, hydraulic conductivity, and swelling percentage of compacted clay liners as a hydraulic barrier. The test results show that compacted clay samples containing red mud and cement–red mud additives have a high compressive strength and decreased the hydraulic conductivity and swelling percentage as compared to natural clay samples. Consequently, it is concluded that red mud and cement–red mud materials can be successfully used for the stabilization of clay liners in geotechnical applications.