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2.1 GENERAL:-
Soil stabilization is a technique for improving the engineering properties of soil. Soil
stabilization techniques can be classified in various ways like according to the nature of
process involved, material added, the desired result etc. For example on the basis of
process, the techniques are known as mechanical stabilization, chemical stabilization,
thermal stabilization and electrical stabilization.
The second step, a long term pozzolanic based cementing process among flocculates
and agglomerates of particles, results in strength increase which can be considerable
depending on the amount of pozzolanic product that develops, and this in turn depend on
the reactivity of the soil mineral with the lime.
The pozzolanic reaction process, which can either be modest or quite substantial
depending on the mineralogy of the soil, is a long term process. This is because the
process can continue as long as a sufficiently high pH is maintained to solubilize silicates
and aluminates from the clay matrix. The solubilized silicates and aluminates then react
with calcium from the free lime and water to form calcium-silicate hydrates and calcium-
aluminates hydrates bond.
Cement hydration is rapid and cause immediate strength gain in stabilized layers.
Therefore, a mellowing period is not allowed between mixing and compaction. The general
practice is to compact soil cement before or shortly after initial set (Dallas and Syam,
2009).
Class ‘C’ type fly ash contains a substantial amount of lime, most of which is combined
with glassy silicates and aluminates in the ash. By the mixing with water, hydration
reaction produce free lime that either can combine with other unreacted pozzolans,
silicates and aluminates, available within the flyash, or may react pozzolanically with
silicates and aluminates available in soil to form cementitious products. These products
contribute to strength gain in fly ash stabilized soil. Pozzolanic reaction between soil
particles and free lime released from the ash during the hydration process alter the soil
properties and increase strength just as they do in soil cements.
Class F type fly ash contains very little lime. In this type of fly ash most of the glassy
silica or alumina exists as pozzolano. Activation of theses pozzolano requires additives
such as lime or cement, which provides source of free lime. The pozzolanic reactions that
occur when this fly ash- activator is mixed with water from the products that bond soil
grains or flocculates the soil particles together to develop strength within the soil.
Following are general guidelines when considering stabilization with different additives;
a. Clayey soils including heavy clays, murrum and other so is met within alluvial plains
can be effectively treated with lime. For stabilization, a soil must have a fraction
passing 425 micron sieve not less than 15% and PI should be at least 10%.
b. For effective stabilization, it is desirable that the percentage retained on 425 micron
I.S. sieve should be well graded with uniformity coefficient not less than 5.
c. Organic matter in the soil selected for soil stabilization should not more than 2% and
sulphate content should not exceed 0.2%.
d. PH value of 10 or 11 is desirable for pozzolanic reaction.
e. Soils having organic matter and soluble carbonate/sulphate contents in excess of
2%and 0.2% respectively require special studies.
f. Some materials contain amorphous silica which although has low plasticity but
reacts with lime to form the necessary cementation products and should thus be
considered for stabilization with lime.
g. Materials containing high kaolinite as the basic clay mineral usually have a fairly low
PI with a high liquid limit and in such cases lime should be considered for
stabilization.
h. In case of highly plastic soils, two stage stabilizations is adopted. In this case soil is
first treated with a small quantity of lime. Later on the soil may be treated with
remaining quantity of lime or with cement to achieve the desired strength and
stability.
(a) After saturation with water substantial proportion of their strength is retained.
(b) Resistance to erosion.
(c) Surface deflection is reduced.
(d) The elastic moduli of layers constructed above stabilized layer are increased.
(e) The stiffness and strength of a soil layer can be increased through the use of
admixture to reduce the thickness of the road pavement.
(a) Due to thermal and shrinkage cracks stabilized layer may be crack.
(b) Crack can reflect through the surfacing and allow water to enter the pavement.
(c) If CO2 has access to the material, the stabilization reaction is reversible and the
strength of layer can decrease.
(d) The construction operation requires more skill than unstabilize materials.