Effect of Zeolitic Tuff on Strength, Resilient Modulus, and Permanent Strain of Lime-Stabilized Expansive Subgrade Soil
Publication: Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering
Volume 35, Issue 5
Abstract
The present work aims to evaluate expansive soil stabilization using different additives. Twenty soil mixtures consisting of 10%, 20%, 25%, and 30% zeolitic tuff (ZT) with 2%, 4%, and 6% lime in various combinations were used to stabilize the soil for pavement subbase application. A comprehensive test program, including Atterberg’s limits, compaction, unconfined compression strength (UCS), California Bearing Ratio (CBR), resilient modulus, and permanent deformation, was performed on natural and stabilized soil specimens. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) supplied with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM/EDX) was used to confirm the study findings. Adding ZT increases the availability of the silica and alumina needed for the pozzolanic reaction; test results revealed that adding ZT increases the maximum dry unit weight, CBR, UCS, resilient modulus, decreases plasticity, and permanent deformation. As such, ZT can improve the physical and mechanical properties of lime-stabilized soil as a pavement’s subgrade and subbase layers.
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Data Availability Statement
All data, models, and code generated or used during the study appear in the published article.
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© 2023 American Society of Civil Engineers.
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Received: Oct 16, 2021
Accepted: Aug 8, 2022
Published online: Feb 27, 2023
Published in print: May 1, 2023
Discussion open until: Jul 27, 2023
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