The Combined Use of Fly Ash and Lime to Stabilize a Clayey Soil: A Sustainable and Promising Approach

Abstract

The aim of the present note is to contribute to the search for sustainable binders to be used for soil stabilization purposes. Fly ash and quicklime are added to a clayey soil of low plasticity in different proportions; samples were prepared by wet mixing and Standard Proctor compaction of the soil–water–binder mixture. Permeability tests were carried out for the first 28 days of curing, varying the moulding water content of the investigated samples. Compressibility was evaluated through one-dimensional consolidation tests performed after 7 days of curing and shear strength was investigated at the same curing time. Reactions development was successfully monitored by measuring pH and small strain shear modulus by means of bender elements testing for the first 28 days of curing. Microstructural investigation through scanning electron microscope and Energy dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy revealed the presence of pozzolanic products in the mixture, reflecting the reduction in compressibility and the improvement in the mechanical characteristics of the soil of concern, after the treatment. The addition of the combination of fly ash and quicklime allowed to enhance the draining capability of the mixtures, especially when the mixture is compacted at optimum water content.