Relative efficiencies of electrolytes in stabilization of an expansive soil

Abstract

Sequential permeation of calcium chloride and sodium hydroxide solutions into the soil mass leads to the formation of lime in the in-situ soil mass owing to chemical reactions. Previous studies have demonstrated that the lime precipitation modifies the expansive soil properties both by lime modification and pozzolanic reactions. However, the independent contributions of either calcium chloride solution or sodium hydroxide solution in stabilizing the expansive soil are not known. Therefore, an attempt is made in the present investigation to examine the relative efficiencies of calcium chloride solution, sodium hydroxide solution and lime precipitation in stabilizing the expansive soil by comparing the physico-chemical and index properties, oedometer swell potentials and unconfined compressive strength of treated specimens. The present investigation also brings out the relative efficiencies of hydrated lime and precipitated lime in stabilizing the expansive soil. The experimental results showed that treating the expansive soils with calcium chloride and sodium hydroxide solutions independently promoted only the short-term reactions whereas the sequentially treating the expansive soil with calcium chloride and sodium hydroxide solutions resulted in the formation of lime precipitation, which could mobilize both short-term lime-modification reactions and long-term soil-lime pozzolanic reactions.