Sustainable Lignin to Enhance Engineering Properties of Unsaturated Expansive Subgrade Soils
Publication: Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering
Volume 35, Issue 8
Abstract
New ways to apply sustainable materials, such as biomass components, are essential for reducing dependence on fossil fuels. This work investigated the engineering properties of unsaturated expansive subgrade soils stabilized by bio-based energy coproducts containing lignin. Lignin is a waste by-product of the paper and pulp industry that is frequently burned. Highway subgrade could consume lignin as an environmentally benign, low-cost, and energy-efficient chemical substance for soil stabilization. Swell and shrink behavior of expansive subgrade soils complicates highway construction and causes damage to existing highways. However, research on the hydromechanical properties and volume change behavior of lignin-stabilized expansive soil is limited, and better insight is required into its unsaturated behavior for safe and economical pavement design practices. In this research, a series of geotechnical laboratory tests were conducted to characterize expansive subgrade soils treated with lignin by determining the Atterberg limits, compaction and consolidation behaviors, swelling characteristics, and water retention properties. The mechanisms influencing the changes in engineering properties of lignin-treated expansive soils were further investigated using soil pH, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis. The study shows that the optimal lignin content contributed to an acceptable degree of soil stabilization. The lignin-based cementing material effectively bonds soil particles together and fills pores, thereby preventing water infiltration into the soil and reducing the swell–shrink potential of stabilized soils.
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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 research was partially supported by the South Plains Transportation Center (SPTC) under Contract Nos. SPTC14.1-76 and SPTC15.1-23. The testing equipment for SWCC was purchased from enhancement Grant #LEQSF(2016-17)-ENH-TR-13 funded by Louisiana Board of Regents (LA BoR). Lab tests conducted for FTIR/XRD analyses and microstructure scanning were supported by Grant LEQSF (2017-20)-Rd-A11 funded by LA BoR and Grant 01F86601 funded by Region 6 Environmental Protection Agency P2. The authors would like to express their gratitude to Graphic Packaging International Inc. for kindly proving black liquor and Millennium Galvanizing for kindly providing SSA.
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Published In
Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering
Volume 35 • Issue 8 • August 2023
Copyright
© 2023 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Jun 5, 2022
Accepted: Jan 24, 2023
Published online: May 31, 2023
Published in print: Aug 1, 2023
Discussion open until: Oct 31, 2023
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