SOIL STABILIZATION

Made By- Reena Negi )

INTRODUCTION
When the existing soil has a low strength, its strength can be improved by different methods so that it is able to bear the stresses imposed by traffic without excessive deformation. For village roads with low traffic, stabilized soil with a suitable maintenance strategy can become an all weather road at a low cost. The term soil stabilization means the improvement of the stability or bearing power of the soil by the use of controlled compaction; proportioning and or the addition of suitable admixture or stabilizers.

STABILIZATION Stabilisation is the process of blending and mixing materials with a soil to improve the soils strength and durability. The process may include blending soils to achieve a desired gradation or mixing commercially available additives that may alter the gradation, change the strength and durability, or act as a binder to cement the soil.

USES OF STABILIZATION

Pavement design is based on the premise that specified levels of quality will be achieved for each soil layer in the pavement system. Each layer must Resist shearing within the layer Avoid excessive elastic deflections that would result in fatigue cracking within the layer or in overlying layers. Prevent excessive permanent deformation through densification Change in chemical properties

As the quality of a soil layer is increased, the ability of that layer to distribute the load over a greater area is generally increased enough to permit a reduction in the required thickness of the soil and surface layers. IMPROVE QUALITY Stabilization is commonly used for better soil gradation, reduction of the PI or swelling potential, and increased durability and strength. Soils stabilized by additives often provide an all-weather working platform for construction operations. These types of soil-quality improvements are referred to as soil modifications.

Methods of Stabilization: Mechanical Mechanical stabilisation is accomplished by mixing or blending two or more gradations of material to obtain a mixture meeting the required specifications. The blending of these materials may take place at the construction site, at a central plant, or at a borrow area. The blended material is then spread and compacted to the required densities by conventional means. If, after blending these materials, the mixture does not meet the specifications, then stabilisation with an additive may be necessary. Additive Additive refers to a manufactured commercial product that, when added to the soil in the proper quantities, will improve the quality of the soil layer.

Types of Additives used:

(i)

Cementing materials: Increase in strength of the soil is achieved by the cementing action of the additive. Portland cement, lime, fly-ash and sodium silicate are example of such additives. Water-Proofers: Bituminous materials prevent absorption of moisture. These may be used if the natural moisture content of the soil is adequate for providing the necessary strength. Water-retainer: Calcium chloride and Sodium chloride are example of this category. Water-repellents or retarders: Certain organic compounds such as stearates and silicones tend to get absorbed by the clay particles in preference to water. Thus, they tend to keep off water from the soil.

(ii)

(iii)

(iv)

MODIFICATION: Modification refers to the stabilization process that results in the improvement in some property of the soil but does not, by design, results in a significant increase in the soils strength and durability. Soil modification usually results in something less than a thoroughly cemented, hardened, or semi hardened material. This type of stabilization may be accomplished by

Compacting Blending mechanically Adding cementing material in small Adding chemical modifiers

A GUIDE FOR SELECTING STABILIZING ADDITIVES

(SOURCE: ARMY TM 5-822-14,AIR FORCE AFJMAN 321019 MANUAL)

MECHANICAL STABILIZATION Correctly proportioned materials (aggregates and soils) when adequately compacted to get a mechanically stable layer, the method is called mechanical stabilization. Thus the two basic principles in this method of stabilization are: a)Proportioning b)Compaction

1. increasing dry density increase the strength of a soil-aggregate mix. hence proportioning of the mixes is done to attain maximum dry density. 2. fine-grained soils lack internal friction and addition of sand or screenings from quarry imparts the necessary internal friction. 3. similarly addition of fines to coarse sand or aggregates imparts necessary cohesion and the soil-aggregate mixtures develop high strength upon compaction

Factors Affecting Mechanical Stability The stability of Mechanical stabilized soil mix depends upon the following factors. Mechanical strength of aggregates When the soil is used in small proportion to just fill up the voids in the aggregates, the crushing strength of the aggregate is important. Weak aggregates have also been used successfully used in Mechanical stabilized work. Gradation Grain size distribution of combined mix would be determine the maximum stability of the mix. A well graded aggregate-soil mix results in a mix with higher dry density and strength.

Properties of soil Properties of the soil such as plasticity characteristics would affect the performance of the mix. A mix containing soil with high plasticity index results in poor stability under soaking condition. Hence it is desirable to limit the plasticity index of soil constituents. Compaction Compaction is the most important factor affecting the properties of the stabilized layers. Effective compaction is desirable to produce high density and stability of the mix.

Gradation: The particle size distribution that gives maximum dry density is generally aimed at theoretical gradation for maximum density given by P = 100 (d/D)n P = percent finer than diameter `d (mm) in the material D = diameter of the largest particle in mm n = gradation index which have values ranging from 0.5 to 0.3 depending upon the shape For spherical shape the value of `n is 0.5 For flaky and angular the value of `n is 0.3

Proportioning When materials of different gradations are available in the vicinity, it is necessary to blend them in certain proportions to get maximum density. Graphical, trial and error and Rothfutch methods can be used for proportioning. Density Standard dry density value is aimed in the field compaction. Index Properties The following are the recommended values of liquid limit and plasticity index for base and surface layer of soil-aggregate mixtures.

 Index Properties

The following are the recommended values of liquid limit and plasticity index for base and surface layer of soilaggregate mixtures.

Parameter Liquid Limit Plasticity Index

Base Course 25% (Max) 6% (Max)

Surface Course 35% (Max) 5-10%

Stability Any method of stability test may be adopted based on the design, which is suitable for the type of material. Soaked CBR test is commonly adopted.

Structure of Soil-aggregate Mixtures

Figure(a) is deficient in fines and has low stability. Figure (c) has excess of fines and has low strength. Figure (b) has the right amount of fines

Construction Steps-
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Preparation of subgrade Proportioning and mixing of materials

Check the existing moisture content of mix and add water , if required and remix the material Spread the wet mix and compact it Field control tests Determination of moisture content of the mix before compaction Determination of density during and just after compaction

Chemical Selection For Stabilization :a) Lime: If Pi > 10 And Clay Content (2) > 10%. b) Cement: If Pi 10 And < 20% Passing No. 200. Note: Lime shall be quicklime only. Chemical Selection For Modification :a) Lime: PI 5 And > 35 % Passing No. 200 b)Fly Ash And Lime Fly Ash Blends: 5 < PI < 20 And > 35 % Passing No. 200 c) Cement And/ Or Fly Ash: PI < 5 And 35 % Passing No. 200
Source: Manual Production Division Office of Geotechnical Engineering ,120 South Shortridge Road ,Indianapolis, Indiana.

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SOIL- LIME STABILISATION Principles and Applications When clayey soils with high plasticity are treated with lime, the plasticity index is decreased and the clay soil is easy to be pulverize. There are three types of reactions when lime is added to soil, (i)soil modification When lime is added to a clay soil, ion exchange takes place in which sodium and potassium ions are replaced by calcium ions,the immediate effect is reduction of liquid limit and rise in plastic limit resulting in decrease in the plasticity index of the soil.

(ii) Carbonation: If lime soil mixture is not compacted after mixing, carbon dioxide from the atmosphere reacts with remaining lime forming calcium carbonate. This is known as carbonation. Calcium carbonate gives a low cementing action and should be avoided. (iii) Soil cementation: Soil consists of amorphous silica and alumina and they react with lime to form a cementing mass, which binds the soil. This is called pozzolanic reaction. There is a slow gain in strength and the soil lime attains considerable strength in six months time. This phenomena is known as soil cementation.

Factors affecting properties of Soil-lime Soil-type: Various soil properties affect the base exchange characteristics and pozzolanic action. Lime Content: increase in lime content causes a change in liquid limit and considerable increase in plastic limit resulting in reduction in plasticity index. The rate of increase in plastic limit is first rapid and the rate decreases beyond a certain lime content. This point is often called lime fixation point. Compaction: The compacted density is important as regards the strength of soil lime. Hence compaction is done at

Type of lime: Both quick lime (CaO) and hydrated lime are found to be effective in modifying properties of soil. Quick lime can be used when the soil is extremely wet. Curing: The strength of soil-lime increases with curing period up to several years. The rate of increase in strength is rapid during the initial period of curing.

Additives Additives cement, flyash and surkhi are used to improve the strength.. Construction Steps i) Preparation of subgrade ii) Pulverisation of the soil to be stabilized iii)Addition of part of lime as dry powder or as slurry with water and mixing. iv) Allowing the mixture to age for about a day or preconditioning the soil, and re-mixing when pulverization becomes easy

v)Spreading to desired grade and compacting vi) The soil-lime is protected from drying out and is allowed moist-curing vii) Field control tests include checking moisture content at time of compaction and checking dry density soon after compaction.

SOIL-CEMENT STABILISATION Principles And Applications:

there are two types of reactions in cement-soil mixtures, (i) primary reactions and (ii) secondary reactions. A) The primary reaction consists of hydration of cement and the reaction products bind the soil particles. lime is liberated during the reaction. In the secondary reaction, the amorphous silica and alumna of soil react with lime liberated during the hydration resulting in soil modification and soil cementation . B) in granular soil, the mechanism of stabilization is due to the development of bond between the hydrated cement and compacted soil particles at the points of contact.

Factors Influencing The Properties Of Soilcement

a) soil b) quantity of cement c) pulverisation d) compaction e) curing f) additives

Quantity of Cement:

Type of soil sludge organic silts & clays cohesive silts silty sands & sands sand & gravel

cement usage(kg/m3) 240-400 150-260 120-240 120-240 120-240

UCS (kpa) 70-350 350-1400 700-2100 1400-3500 3000-7000

SOURCE: ARMY TM 5-822-14,AIR FORCE AFJMAN 32-1019 MANUAL)

construction steps:
a) preparation of subgrade or sub-base b) pulverisation of soil c) application of cement and dry mixing d) addition /spraying water and remixing e) spreading and grading f) compaction g) curing the soil-cement layer is allowed moist curing either by preventing the moisture to escape or by covering with moist soil

Design considerations combination of cement, fly ash and lime mixture:

Lime and Fly ash: The ratio between lime and fly ash mixture should be in the range of 1:1 to 1:9 respectively. Cement and Fly ash: The ratio of cement and fly ash should be in the range of 1:3 to 1:4 respectively. Lime, cement, and fly ash ratio should be 1:2:4 respectively.

Design Considerations Suggested Chemical Quantities For Modification Or Stabilization:

Lime

or Lime By-Products: 4% to7 % Cement: 4% to 6% Fly ash: 10% to 16%

CONCLUSION:
1) chemically

treatment of soils is a proven method to save time and money on construction projects. lime drying of wet soils minimizes weather-related construction delays and permits the return to work within hours. 2) chemical modification chemically transforms clay soils into friable, workable, compactable material due to modification of soil stabilization becomes easy.

REFERENCES
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Das , B.M. (2007). Principles of Foundation Engineering ,Thomson Canada Limited Punamia , B.C (2006). Soil Mechanics And Foundation, Laxmi Publication. Design Procedures for Soil Modification or Stabilization Production Division Office of Geotechnical Engineering,120 South Shortridge Road ,Indianapolis, Indiana 46219,January 2008. National Lime Association. Lime-Treated Soil Construction Manual Lime Stabilization and lime modification, 2004. National Lime Association. Lime Treated Soils Save Time & Money, 2005. (http://www.lime.org/LTStechbrief4pdf.pdf ). http:// www.conbloc.co.id http://www.lime.org/soil3.pdf.