Laboratory Trial of Soil‐Sodium Chloride‐Cement Stabilization for Problem Laterite

Abstract

This paper reports on the admixture stabilization of problem laterite using portland cement as the stabilizer and sodium chloride (NaCl) as the admixture. Results of unconfined compressive strength (UCS) tests show that this form of admixture stabilization is unsuitable for problem laterite using the conventional 1.73 N/mm2 evaluation criterion for the economical range of cement content specified by Nigeria's General Specifications—Roads and Bridgeworks. However, the strengths of this admixture are comparable to those recorded in an earlier work on soil‐lime‐cement stabilization for the same soil for which a UCS value of 1.38 N/mm2 was proposed as evaluation criterion. This UCS value of 1.38 N/mm2 seems an appropriate evaluation criterion for soil‐sodium chloride‐cement stabilization for problem laterite. Adoption of this form of admixture stabilization for problem laterite is thus recommended. A reaction mechanism in which calcium silicate hydrate, sodium calcium silicate hydrate, calcium aluminate hydra...