This paper presents details of a study that deals with determination of engineering properties, identification of phases of major hydration products, and microstructural characteristics of a zinc-contaminated (referred to as Zn-contaminated in this paper) kaolin clay when it is stabilized by a cement additive. Investigations were carried out with respect to the effect of the level of zinc (Zn) concentration on the overall soil properties including Atterberg limits, water content, pH, stress–strain characteristics, unconfined compressive strength, and secant modulus. In addition, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and mercury intrusion porosimetry studies were conducted to understand the mechanisms controlling the changes in engineering properties of the stabilized kaolin clay. The study reveals that the level of Zn concentration has a considerable influence on the engineering properties, phases of hydration products formed, and microstructural characteristics of the stabilized kaolin clay. These changes are attributed to the retardant effect of Zn on the hydration and pozzolanic reactions, which in turn alters the phases of hydration products and cementation structure – bonding of the soils. Theoretical simulation of the pore-size distribution curves demonstrates that the cement-stabilized kaolin exhibits bimodal type when the Zn concentration is less than 2%, whereas it displays unimodal type when the Zn concentration is 2%. With an increase in the Zn concentration, the characteristics of the interaggregate pores in terms of volume and mean diameter change considerably, whereas those of intra-aggregate pores remain nearly unchanged.

The results of a research study to investigate the influence of discrete and randomly oriented polypropylene fiber reinforcement on expansive soil stabilization are presented. Two expansive soils were used as control soils in the testing program. Two types of fibers and four fiber dosages (0,0.3,0.6, and 0.9 percent by dry weight of soil) were considered. Both raw and fiber-reinforced clayey samples were prepared and subjected to unconfined compressive strength (UCS), volumetric shrinkage, three-dimensional free swell, and swell pressure tests. Test results were statistically analyzed to investigate the effectiveness of fiber reinforcement on strength, swell, and shrinkage characteristics of expansive clays. Results indicated that the fiber reinforcement enhanced the UCS of the soil and reduced both volumetric shrinkage strains and swell pressures of the expansive clays. The fiber treatment also increased the free swell potential of the soils. Practical implications of the findings and future research directions are discussed.

A semi-empirical model is proposed in this paper to predict the variation of modulus of elasticity with respect to matric suction for unsaturated sandy soils using the soil-water characteristic curve (SWCC) and the modulus of elasticity under saturated conditions. Using this model, comparisons are provided between the predicted and measured moduli of elasticity and elastic settlements from model footing test results on three different sandy soils. The results of this study are encouraging as there is good agreement between the predicted and measured moduli of elasticity and settlements.

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