CLAYEY SOIL TREATED BY CEMENT AND QUICKLIME BY MICROSTRUCTURE: A MINERALOGICAL ANALYSIS

Abstract

Soft clayey soil was treated by a combination of cement (PC) and Quicklime (LQ) in order to modify and stability. This study shows an improvement of clay soil brought from Garma Ali site in the Al Basra governorate, Iraq. The PC was added in percentages of 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10%, and LQ was added to 2 and 4%, of dry weight. Also, this research used Microstructure Analysis by Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) testing and Mineralogical Analysis by X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) testing on the examination soil treated with mix between cement (PC) and Quicklime (LQ) for the purpose of knowing the reasons for the increase in the shear strength and decrease maximum dry density. Through the micrographs that result from the scanning electron microscoping and the curves of X-ray that demonstrate presentence, the formation of the hydration reaction product (CSH gel) shows tiny bristle (rod) crystals. The CSH gel and the tiny bristle (rod) crystals worked on coating and contact the particles together. The micrographs for soils treated with (2% LQ + 10% PC) show an increase in the amount hydrated gel (CSH) compared to the soil treated with 6% PC and 2% LQ and 8% PC and 4% LQ, but the number of bristle-like crystals decreases compared to soil treated by 8% PC and 4% LQ.