Stabilization of Marine Clay by Biomass Silica (Non-Traditional) Stabilizers

Abstract

The presence of marine clay in Iskandar Malaysia Region, Nusajaya had caused expensive solutions in the construction of structures and roads. Alternatively, soil treatment is suggested to increase the strength of the unsuitable material to meet the constructions requirement for foundation and also to achieve the specifications for development work. In this study, a series of laboratory test has been conducted to determine the potential of Biomass Silica (BS), one of the commercial brands namely “SH-85” to stabilize marine clay to form the basis of a strong, reliable land for construction of roads and building. Testing program involves obtaining specimens of marine clays from various locations at Iskandar Malaysia Region, followed by laboratory tests to determine the Atterberg limits and Unconfined Compressive Strength (UCS) for treated and untreated of marine clay soils. The proportions of BS added were 3, 6, 9, 12 and 15% and tested at 0, 3, 7 and 28 days curing periods. The results shows that the Plasticity Index (PI) was reduce with increment of BS content. While, an addition of BS content increase in strength treated soils 60 times more than untreated soils, which is gain in early 7 curing days period. This finding indicates the BS is a suitable stabilizer for the marine clay to become strong foundation for construction of road and building.

Evaluating Engineering Properties of Marine Clay Soil at Malacca and Proposed Methods of Quality Enhancement

“…Therefore, a comparison of the obtained soil parameters for Malacca marine clay with soil parameters of other works has revealed that the Malacca marine clay displays values that are within the range of clay parameters from Johor of Malaysia [30], [34], Kalang (Malaysia) [8], Changi (Singapore) [9], [26], Bangkok (Thailand) [7], Pusan (South Korea) [27], and Yarra Delta (Australia) [6].…”

“…Some results have displayed odd values compared to the general tendencies seen for Arkine of Japan [2]- [4], Ashikari (Japan) [35], Oita Prefecture (Malaysia) [2], and Klang (Malaysia) [24]. Nevertheless, the value of liquid limit w LL is found to be not less than 60% [3], [30], [35]; whereas the plastic limit w PL is below 30% [9], [10], [17], [20], [21], [32], [34], [37]. Similarly, the natural water content wn is within the range of liquid limit if not higher [4], [5], [7], [10], [12], [16], [17], [20], [30], [32], [39].…”

Global CO2 Emission-Related Geotechnical Engineering Hazards and the Mission for Sustainable Geotechnical Engineering

“…However, they have the potential to contaminate the surrounding geo-environment and nearby groundwater, resulting in limited usage near drinking water sources, despite their merits [92]. Therefore, although recent studies have been conducted on applying sustainable and nontoxic chemicals, such as biomass silica and calcium carbide [89,90], to soil, the economic limitations of applying deep injections to a large-scale site, and the necessity of establishing criteria for the laboratory scale to predict effective in situ performance, should be further researched [91].…”

Soil plasticity and standard proctor compaction characteristics of stabilized Kota Kinabalu clay using biomass silica (SH-85)

“…Some existing studies pertaining to the use of SH-85 to improve soil properties have been carried out by several researchers on laterite soil [12][13][14], on soft clay [15,16], on marine clay [17,18] and on organic soils [19]. In the research carried out by Latifi et al [12] to improve soil strength, it showed that that 9% of Biomass Silica was the optimum amount of stabilizer for laterite soil, while another study conducted by Marto et al [17] that 12% of Biomass Silica was the optimum amount of stabilizer for marine clay soils. Most of these studies focused on the improvement of soil strength properties, but only two studies focused into the improvement of soil compaction properties, namely Latifi et al [12] and Marto et al [17].…”

“…In the research carried out by Latifi et al [12] to improve soil strength, it showed that that 9% of Biomass Silica was the optimum amount of stabilizer for laterite soil, while another study conducted by Marto et al [17] that 12% of Biomass Silica was the optimum amount of stabilizer for marine clay soils. Most of these studies focused on the improvement of soil strength properties, but only two studies focused into the improvement of soil compaction properties, namely Latifi et al [12] and Marto et al [17]. Hence, this study was conducted to focus on the improvement of soil by examining the soil compaction characteristics of Biomass Silica stabilized soil in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah and to compare the results of this study with the findings of the stabilized soils conducted in Peninsular Malaysia.…”