SOIL STABILIZATION BY USING LIME

Abstract

Soil stabilization can be explained as the alteration of the soil properties by chemical or physical means in order to enhance the engineering quality of the soil. Lime is the oldest traditional stabilizer used for soil stabilization. The mechanism of soil-lime treatment involves cation exchange, which leads to the flocculation and agglomeration of soil particle. The high pH environment then causes a pozzolanic reaction between the free [Ca+2] cations and the dissolved silica and alumina. Lime treated soil effectively increases the strength, durability and workability of the soil. Such treatment also improves soil compressibility. A fluctuation behavior was observed on the influence of lime on soil permeability. The main Objectives of the soil stabilization is to increase the bearing capacity of the soil, its resistance to weathering process and soil permeability. The long-term performance of any construction of project depends on the soundness of the underlying soils. Unstable soils can create significant problems for pavements structures; therefore, soil stabilization techniques are necessary to ensure the good stability of soil so that it can successfully sustain the load of the super- structure especially in case of soil which are highly active, also it saves a lot of time and millions of money when compared to the method of cutting out and replacing the unstable soil. In this research, compaction behavior (maximum dry density, optimum moisture content), are observed by performing laboratory test. These parameters are tested for both bare soil and using lime (2%, 4%, 6%) to understand the benefits of lime to use as soil stabilizer. All the results showed good agreement with the fact that lime can be used as an effective soil stabilizer to improve the soil stability. In this research we find that: 1. The soil Type is Silty Clay. 2. The specific gravity of soil without lime=2.659 and with lime 2%=2.69,with lime 4%=2.68, and with lime 6%=2.66. 3. Particle Size Analysis by Hydrometer Test. D30 = 0.004 mm & D60 = 0.025 mm 4. Liquid Limit for 57%. 5. Final results of compaction test 0% lime ρd =1.70(gm/cm3), OMC = 13.5%. 2% lime ρd =1.75(gm/cm3), OMC = 12.4%. 4% lime ρd =1.73(gm/cm3), OMC = 12%. 6% lime ρd =1.66(gm/cm3), OMC = 14%