The effects of marble dust and fly ash on clay soil

Abstract

Abstract The use of waste materials as an additive in soil stabilization has been widespread. This is important in terms of recycling of waste materials and reducing environmental pollution. The objective of this study is to investigate the beneficial reuse of marble dust and fly ash in soil stabilization. Tests were performed on clay soil mixtures amended with marble dust and fly ash. Marble dust was used as an activator due to fly ash being inadequate for self-cementing. Unconfined compressive strength (q u), freeze-thaw, swelling, and California bearing ratio (CBR) tests were conducted to investigate the effect of marble dust and fly ash, curing time, and molding water content on geotechnical parameters. Addition of marble dust and fly ash increased unconfined compressive strength, CBR, and freeze-thaw strength, but these additives decreased swelling potential and grain loss after freeze-thaw. Increasing the curing time results in increased strength of mixtures and decreased grain loss. As a result, this study shows that the geotechnical properties of clay soil are improved with the addition of marble dust and fly ash. This is an economical and environmentally friendly solution.