Volume change control of high plasticity clay by the stabilization of fine-grained cements

Abstract

This paper presents the swelling potential and compressibility of high plasticity clayey soil stabilized with slag-based superfine cement (SSC), Portland-based microfine cement (PMC) and ordinary Portland cement (OPC). The swelling potential of high plasticity clayey soil is significantly reduced by PMC, SSC and OPC stabilizations. Increase in the contents of PMC, SSC and OPC further reduces the swelling potential of high plasticity clayey soil. While the most influential one among the stabilizers used in reducing the swelling potential of high plasticity clayey soil is PMC, SSC is the least effective one. The compressibility of high plasticity clayey soil is reduced ten, eleven and six times by OPC, PMC and SSC stabilizations respectively. Increase in OPC, PMC and SSC contents slightly decreases the compressibility of high plasticity clayey soil. The compressibility of SSC stabilized high plasticity clayey soil is slightly higher than those of OPC and PMC stabilized specimens. SSC stabilization is found to be the least effective one in reducing the compressibility of high plasticity clayey soil. In general, PMC stabilization is more effective than both SSC and OPC stabilizations in reducing both compressibility and swelling potential characteristics of high plasticity clayey soil.