Utilization of Zeolite to Improve the Behavior of Cement-Stabilized Soil

Abstract

In this paper, a series of unconfined compressive strength (UCS) tests were performed to study the effect of cement content, zeolite content, initial moisture content, number of freeze–thaw cycles, and curing time on the UCS of low-plasticity silty sand–clayey sand. The results indicate that zeolite can be used along with cement as a stabilizer to enhance mechanical behavior of the soils. The specimens containing cement and zeolite show better response with a higher UCS than the stabilized samples with cement or zeolite alone. The addition of zeolite has an important effect on the increase in both UCS value and failure strain of cement-stabilized specimen. However, the stress–strain curve of stabilized specimens is not influenced significantly by the increase of zeolite content from 3 to 9%. The UCS values of the stabilized specimens decreased as the number of freeze–thaw cycles increased. The cement-stabilized samples have freeze–thaw durability when zeolite content increases from 3 to 9%. The stabilized specimens with 6% cement and 9% zeolite have slightly higher freeze–thaw durability than other specimens. The UCS of the specimens compacted on the dry side is more than that of the compacted sample on the OMC or wet side of optimum for given additives contents. The specimens compacted on the dry side of optimum exhibited a lower failure strain. The implication of this work is significant in geotechnical practice; it provides a general knowledge of stabilization of soils using cement and zeolite and the quantities to use to achieve the desired geotechnical properties.