Effect of Optimum Utilization of Silica Fume and Lime On the Stabilization of Problematic Soils

Abstract

Chemically stabilized soil studies have revealed that the efficiency of stabilization is primarily depends on the natural environment of the soil. Problematic soils such as silt and clay do not satisfy the standards for structural applications at this stage because under relatively mild stress conditions, the soils can expand, collapse, disperse, settle excessively, or even fail which can lead to structural failure. Moreover, the improvement of kaolin soil stays a test because of the significant expense and non-eco-accommodating material such as concrete. This study aims at the kaolin soil stabilization by utilizing 4% and 6% of silica fume and several percentage inclusion of lime. The lime percentages of 3%, 5%, 7%, and 9%, whereas the ratio of silica fume is set at 4% and 6%. The primary goal of this study is to increase the shear strength of soft kaolin soil blended with 4% and 6% of silica fume (SF) and varying amounts of lime (L). The soil parameters were evaluated for kaolin soil alone and for 4% and 6% of silica fume blended with varying percentages of lime. The findings disclose that the optimal percentages of silica fume and lime in terms of maximum shear strength at 176.91 kPa of improvement were 4% and 7% respectively due to the pozzolanic reaction between silica fume and lime was more successful with soil particles. The combination of silica fume and lime blended with the kaolin soil can highly enhanced the strength of the soil up to 88.10% compared to the lime and silica fume mixed alone with the optimal proportion of 4% of silica fume and 7% of lime which can reduce the environmental pollution with the reduction in carbon dioxide emission during production and provides economic benefits due to the low cost of materials.

Experimental investigations on physico-mechanical properties of kaolinite clay soil stabilized at optimum silica fume content using clamshell ash and lime

“…CSA and lime facilitate the cohesion and aggregation of SFSS particles, resulting in a coarser texture. Similar findings were reported by Alrubaye et al 19 and Zaini and Hasan 26 , 40 , 46 .…”

“…The optimum silica fume content (OSFC) at 6% of utilization was determined based on the procedure arrogated by past researchers 9 , 18 , 19 , 22 . According to the literature, lime content adopted was selected as 3%, 6%, and 9% 18 , 26 , 40 . The CSA content was fixed similarly to the lime to maintain uniformity in investigating and comparing the effectiveness of CSA and lime on the silica fume-stabilized soil (SFSS).…”

“…Silica fume (SF), a byproduct of silicon and ferrosilicon alloy production, has captured attention as an effective additive for soil stabilization owing to its pozzolanic reactivity and ability to improve soil-cementitious binder interactions. Kaolinitic clay soils mixed with 4% SF and lime ensued in a depletion in maximum dry density value, an increment in optimum moisture content value, and improved undrained shears strength 19 , 26 , 27 . Soft clays mixed with SF and lime significantly increase workability and strength, reducing soil plasticity 28 – 30 .…”

Strength of Kaolinitic Clay Soil Stabilized with Lime and Palm Oil Fuel Ash

“…hydrated lime is categorized as class A-7-5 because its liquid limit is 51.43% and plasticity index is 11.12%. Hydrated lime has a maximum dry density of 1.11g/cm 3 and optimum moisture content of 43%.…”

“…Soft clay soil is a type of soil containing clay minerals and natural materials, which has a significant amount of moisture and loose sand deposits, which are the result of weathering [1][2][3]. When clay is dry, it tends to shrink, but when wet, it expands and becomes sticky.…”