Oil-Shale Fly Ash Utilization as Independent Binder of Natural Clayey Soils for Road and Airfield Base Construction

Abstract

ABSTRACT This article describes physicochemical interactions of different natural clayey soils with oil-shale fly ash (OSFA) from thermal power plants, dealing with the strengthening processes of new materials. Toward this end, a range of traditional and modern research methods were used, i.e., definition of the ultimate strength under uniaxial compression and rupture by the Brazilian method, temporary changes in moisture content and linear deformation, water and frost resistance, free CaO and SO3, CaCO3, XRD, and SEM. It was established that the surfaces of the initial component (OSFA and soils) particles were dissolved in porous alkaline solutions. The dissolution products gave rise to new amorphous and crystal formations. After 28 days, the strength of the samples reached 2–12 MPa but, after 90 days, it rose to 4–31 MPa. It was found that the strength at every stage of hardening can be increased significantly by changing the proportion of the initial mixture's composition. The materials displayed very high water and frost resistance, with coefficients equaling or exceeding the 1.0 level, except the OFSA and loess combination. The materials developed are applicable for the construction of roads, airfields, and dam bases and for various types of foundations without traditional binders, such as cement, and without heating.