Parameters controlling strength of zeolite–cement–sand mixture

Abstract

The improvement of local soils with cement and zeolite can provide great benefits, including slopes strength through slope stability problems, stabilising problematic soils and preventing soil liquefaction. Recently, dosage methodologies are being developed for soil improvement based on a rational criterion as it exists in concrete technology. The present study aims to quantify the influence of the amount of cement, zeolite, porosity and porosity/cement ratio in the evaluation of unconfined compressive strength (UCS) of zeolite–cement–sand mixture. A series of unconfined compression tests, three distinct voids ratio, four cement contents (varying from 2 to 8%) and six zeolite contents (varying from 0 to 90%) were performed in this study. The results show that UCS values of samples substantially enhanced by increasing zeolite content to an optimum value of 30%. Moreover, the power functions of porosity/cement ratio and zeolite amount are shown to be appropriate parameters to estimate UCS values of zeolite-cemented mixtures. Finally, environmental tests were conducted to explore absorptive effects of zeolite on cemented sand.