Strength and consistency behaviour of replacement of cement with silicate-based geopolymer cement modified soft soil treated with crushed waste glasses for pavement underlain

Abstract

The effect of quarry dust based geopolymer cement (QDbGPC) and ordinary Portland cement (OPC) replaced in the ratios of 0:0, 0:40, 5:35, 10:30, 15:25, 20:20, 25:15, 30:10, 35:5, and 40:0% by weight respectively was investigated. This was carried out under the influence of 4%, 8%, 12%, 16% and 20% by weight crushed waste glasses. This was conducted to study the effect of these materials on the consistency and strength characteristics of representative test soil in the laboratory. Preliminary test on the test soil shows that the soil is expansive, highly plastic with high clay content and classified as an A-7-6 soil group according to AASHTO classification system. It is also classified as poorly graded according to USCS. The treated exercise presented an improvement in the California bearing ratio, compaction and consistency characteristics in a steady and substantial pattern. The increased addition of the proportions of geopolymer cement caused increased values of CBR, G(s) and decreased values of plasticity index. The unsuitable and problematic soft soil was improved to meet the requirements for a soil material to be used as a subgrade construction material. This is due to the composite blend of materials with high silicate contents responsible for strength gain. However, the replacement of ordinary Portland cement with silicate-based geopolymer cement will remove the dangers of CO2 emission during construction works and present an environmentally friendly practice of soil re-engineering. PU - SCIENTIFIC SOC SILICATE INDUSTRY-SZTE PI - BUDAPEST PA - BECSI UTT 122-124, BUDAPEST, 1034, HUNGARY