Mechanical Properties Test and Enhancement Mechanism of Lime Soil Modified by High Content Soda Residue for Road Use

Abstract

In order to solve the problem of solid waste soda residue (SR) environmental pollution and resourceful utilization, lime soil modified by high content soda residue (LSMHCSR) is prepared by solid waste SR, lime and soil. In this paper, the basic characteristics of SR and the mechanical properties of LSMHCSR were tested, and the enhancement mechanism of LSMHCSR was analyzed. The test results showed that: (1) SR is mainly composed of CaCO3, Ca(OH)2 and CaCl2, with high natural moisture content, which is not recommended as a separate engineering filler; (2) As the SR content gradually increased, the optimum moisture content of LSMHCSR gradually increased, with the maximum dry density first increasing and then decreasing; (3) With SR content in the range of 10% to 30%, both 7d and 28d UCS of LSMHCSR increased first and then decreased, reaching the maximum under 15% SR, with the increase as high as 36.9% and 37.2%, respectively. The optimal material mix ratio was SR:lime:soil = 15%:6%:85%; (4) An appropriate amount of SR could effectively promote the physical filling, cementation, crystallization and carbonization, and pozzolanic reactions of the material, and the resulting cementing substances, such as CaCO3 crystals, C-H-S and N-A-S-H, could improve the material strength. However, under excessive SR amounts, the excess SR did not react, with the material strength reduced. Based on the engineering benefit analysis of the test section, lime soil modified by high content SR can effectively alleviate the road material supply shortage, soil erosion and solid waste pollution problems, demonstrating remarkable technical, economic and social benefits and enjoying a good prospect of application and promotion.