Scheffe optimization of swelling, California bearing ratio, compressive strength, and durability potentials of quarry dust stabilized soft clay soil

Abstract

Scheffe’s second degree polynomial was used to formulate models for predicting the swelling potential, California bearing ratio, unconfined compressive strength and loss of strength on immersion durability of quarry dust treated soil. These models could predict the swelling potential, California bearing ratio, unconfined compressive strength and loss of strength on immersion durability of treated soil if the mix ratios are known and vice versa. The response predicted by the models are in good agreement with the corresponding experimentally observed results. The result of these tests shows the feasibility of using quarry dust in soil stabilization. The student t-test and the analysis of variance (ANOVA) test were used to check the adequacy of the models, and the models were found to be adequate at 95% confidence level. With the optimized equations, the properties’ design, behaviour, and performance of treated soft clay soil as a pavement subgrade material will be appropriated and monitored. This will be for any possible volume changes, shear failures, strength failures and durability failures when the material used as a hydraulically bound material is in contact with moisture beyond its optimum and subjected to dynamic load beyond its design value.