Feasibility of Alkali-Activated Low-Calcium Fly Ash as a Binder for Deep Soil Mixing
Publication: Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering
Volume 34, Issue 1
Abstract
This study investigates the suitability of low-calcium fly ash (FA) for stabilizing expansive soil (ES) using the in-situ deep soil mixing (DSM) technique. The primary objective of the study was to control the swell-shrink behavior of ES and achieve higher strength characteristics. Owing to the presence of a low amount of calcium oxide (CaO) in Class-F fly ash (FA), an alkali environment is required to produce pozzolanic reactions involving silica and alumina. In this study, the alkali environment in the FA was created by adding a 50:50 ratio of sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and liquid sodium silicate () solution, referred to as liquid alkali activator (LAA). The properties of stabilized ES were investigated through Atterberg limits, one-dimensional swell tests, linear shrinkage tests, consolidation tests, and unconfined compressive strength tests. Further, scanning electron microscopy images and X-ray diffraction tests were performed on stabilized samples to understand the microstructural and physicochemical reaction mechanisms. The tests were conducted by varying the binder ratio (LAA/FA) from 0 to 1.5 for curing periods of 7, 14, and 28 days. The results showed that the binder ratio effectively controlled the swell-shrink behavior of ES. A 10-fold improvement in UCS was observed for at a 28-day curing period. Linear shrinkage strains and swell potential of the ES were reduced by 97% and 83%, respectively, with at 28 days of curing. Overall, is considered an optimum binder ratio to prepare DSM columns.
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Data Availability Statement
All data, models, and code generated or used during the study appear in the published article.
Acknowledgments
The authors thank the Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board (APPCB) for providing fellowship/funding for this research project.
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Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering
Volume 34 • Issue 1 • January 2022
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© 2021 American Society of Civil Engineers.
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Received: Jan 31, 2021
Accepted: Jun 3, 2021
Published online: Oct 28, 2021
Published in print: Jan 1, 2022
Discussion open until: Mar 28, 2022
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