Abstract
Fine-grained soils may have undesired characteristics such as high swelling potential and low strength, thus requiring improvements. One of the stabilization methods involves the use of fly ash. Fly ash is a waste material obtained from burning coal in thermal power plants. The use of fly ash is encouraged as an alternative material for soil stabilization, due to its features such as pozzolanic properties and economic availability. This paper describes the results of an experimental study on stabilization of a clayey soil with fly ash. Unconfined compressive strength (UCS), triaxial and consolidation tests were carried out on samples of kaolinite mixed with class C fly ash at different percentages and cured for 1, 7, and 28 days, in order to study the effects of class C fly ash on the mechanical behaviour of the stabilized soil. The results showed that the inclusion of fly ash significantly improves the strength characteristics of the soil. Curing time was also found to have a significant effect on improving the properties of the soil.
Highlights
Soil stabilization is a modification of some characteristics of a weak soil to make sure its stability on construction [1]
The results show a clear relationship between the class C fly ash content and the elastic modulus
The experiments included unconfined compressive strength (UCS) tests with 1 day, 7 days, and 28 days of curing, and consolidated undrained (CU) triaxial tests with 1 day of curing
Summary
Soil stabilization is a modification of some characteristics of a weak soil to make sure its stability on construction [1]. Damage to geotechnical engineering structures owing to the weak soils could be very costly. Many researchers have attempted to improve traditional and non-traditional chemical soil stabilization methods to prevent this major damage. Non-traditional methods include the use of silicates, acids, resins, liquid polymers, and lignin derivatives [3]. These methods are becoming more common because of the rising demand for stabilization of weak soils. The use of fly ash (which is a waste material obtained from burning of coal) for soil stabilization may be considered as a traditional method. The use of fly ash has been recommended by many investigators due to the many additional benefits, such as being environmentally friendly and cost-effective, as well as its ease of adaptability
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