Microstructure Behaviour of the Marine Clay Treated with Geopolymer

Abstract

Marine clay usually related with poor soil properties, high settlement and instability that are not suitable for engineering requirements and low compressive strength. To solve this problem, chemical stabilizer is one of the soil stabilization method in construction industry which one of them are geopolymer stabilizer to increase the strength of marine clay soil. However, the study regarding of microstructure treated marine clay using geopolymer are less study. Hence, this study focus on the microstructure behaviour of treated marine clay using geopolymer stabilizer. The approach employed in this investigation was the preparation of the sample by the incorporation of marine clay soil and geopolymer (addition of 6% Magnesium Chloride (MgCl2)). The sample was then subjected to several microstructure tests, including X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Particle Size Analysis, and Scanning Electron Microscopic (SEM). The findings demonstrate the alterations in the microstructural characteristics of marine clay following the application of geopolymer stabilization. According to the results of the XRD analysis, no further peaks were observed. Conversely, the SEM examination revealed a reduction in the voids within the marine clay soil, leading to increased density as the curing period increased. Furthermore, the Particle Size Analysis reveals that the use of a stabilizer results in a notable augmentation in the soil particle sizes. Consequently, This study may be utilized to examine the relationship between the microstructure and mechanical properties of treated soil.