Feasibility Study of Superplasticized Geopolymerization on Clayey Soil
Publication: Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering
Volume 36, Issue 7
Abstract
This study uses fly-ash-based superplasticized geopolymer by adding a naphthalene-centered superplasticizer to the geopolymerized soil. Alkali-binder ratios and alkali-activator ratios are varied simultaneously with a molarity of 10M. The optimum dosages of binder, geopolymer, and superplasticized geopolymer are found from unconfined compression tests. California Bearing Ratio (CBR), pH, consolidation, water-holding capacity, and microstructure tests were performed on optimum dosages. The clayey soil’s undrained shear strength and CBR value increased as the geopolymer was superplasticized. The 28-day undrained shear strength of geopolymerized clay was around 300 kPa, attained within three days of the curing period with superplasticized geopolymer. This is because adding a superplasticizer increases the polymerization reaction rate and improves the geopolymer’s performance. The maximum undrained shear strength was attained within seven days of the curing period for both cases. The undrained shear strength after a curing period of 7, 14, and 28 days for geopolymer and superplasticized geopolymer was found to be almost the same value, which shows that after seven days, curing has little role in strength improvement. The hydraulic conductivity and coefficient of consolidation of geopolymerized soil increased with the addition of superplasticizer due to the reduction in fine particles and plasticity of the residual soil. Microstructural studies using scanning electron microscope and x-ray diffraction techniques showed an interaction between soil, geopolymer, and superplasticizer, thus confirming the formation of geopolymer gel and increased polymerization rate with the superplasticizer.
Get full access to this article
View all available purchase options and get full access to this article.
Data Availability Statement
All data, models, and code generated or used during the study appear in the published article.
References
Abdullah, H. H., M. A. Shahin, M. L. Walske, and A. Karrech. 2020. “Cyclic behaviour of clay stabilised with fly-ash based geopolymer incorporating ground granulated slag.” Transp. Geotech. 26 (Jan): 100430. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trgeo.2020.100430.
ASTM. 2003. Standard specification for coal fly ash and raw or calcined natural pozzolan for use in concrete. ASTM C618. West Conshohocken, PA: ASTM.
Ben Haha, M., B. Lothenbach, G. Le Saout, and F. Winnefeld. 2011. “Influence of slag chemistry on the hydration of alkali-activated blast-furnace slag—Part I: Effect of MgO.” Cem. Concr. Res. 41 (9): 955–963. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconres.2011.05.002.
BIS (Bureau of Indian Standards). 1965. Methods of test for soils, determination of consolidation properties, Part 15. IS 2720 Part 15. New Delhi, India: BIS.
BIS (Bureau of Indian Standards). 1972. Methods of test for soils, standard test for determination of shrinkage factors. IS 2720 Part 6. New Delhi, India: BIS.
BIS (Bureau of Indian Standards). 1973. Methods of test for soils, determination of unconfined compressive strength. IS 2720 Part 10. New Delhi, India: BIS.
BIS (Bureau of Indian Standards). 1980a. Methods of test for soils, determination of specific gravity. IS 2720 Part 3. New Delhi, India: BIS.
BIS (Bureau of Indian Standards). 1980b. Methods of test for soils, determination of water content-dry density relation using Light compaction. IS 2720 Part 7. New Delhi, India: BIS.
BIS (Bureau of Indian Standards). 1985a. Methods of test for soils, determination of liquid limit and plastic limit. IS 2720 Part 5. New Delhi, India: BIS.
BIS (Bureau of Indian Standards). 1985b. Methods of test for soils, grain size distribution of soil. IS 2720 Part 4. New Delhi, India: BIS.
BIS (Bureau of Indian Standards). 1987. Methods of test for soils, laboratory determination of CBR. IS 2720 Part 16. New Delhi, India: BIS.
Bobet, A., J. Hwang, C. T. Johnston, and M. Santagata. 2011. “One-dimensional consolidation behavior of cement-treated organic soil.” Can. Geotech. J. 48 (7): 1100–1115. https://doi.org/10.1139/t11-020.
Choudhary, M. I., A. A. Shalaby, and A. M. Al-Omran. 1995. “Water holding capacity and evaporation of calcareous soils as affected by four synthetic polymers.” Commun. Soil Sci. Plant Anal. 26 (13–14): 2205–2215. https://doi.org/10.1080/00103629509369440.
Diop, M. B., L. Molez, A. Bouguerra, A. N. Diouf, and M. W. Grutzeck. 2014. “Manufacturing brick from attapulgite clay at low temperature by geopolymerization.” Arab. J. Sci. Eng. 39 (6): 4351–4361. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13369-014-1007-9.
Duxson, P., A. Fernandez-Jimenez, J. L. Provis, G. C. Lukey, A. Palomo, and J. S. J. van Deventer. 2007a. “Geopolymer technology: The current state of the art.” J. Mater. Eng. 42 (May): 2917–2933. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10853-006-0637-z.
Duxson, P., J. L. Provis, G. C. Lukey, and J. S. J. van Deventer. 2007b. “The role of inorganic polymer technology in the development of ‘green concrete.” Cem. Concr. Res. 37 (12): 1590–1597. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconres.2007.08.018.
Ge, S., Y. Pan, L. Zheng, and X. Xie. 2020. “Effects of organic matter components and incubation on the cement-based stabilization/solidification characteristics of lead-contaminated soil.” Chemosphere 260 (Dec): 127646. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2020.127646.
Güllü, H. 2015. “Unconfined compressive strength and freeze–thaw resistance of fine-grained soil stabilised with bottom ash, lime and superplasticiser.” Road Mater. Pavement Des. 16 (3): 608–634. https://doi.org/10.1080/14680629.2015.1021369.
Hardjito, D., and B. V. Rangan. 2005. Development and properties of low-calcium fly ash-base geopolymer concrete. Research Report GC 1. Perth, Australia: Faculty of Engineering, Curtin Univ. of Technology.
Li, S., J. Zhang, Z. Li, Y. Gao, and C. Liu. 2021. “Feasibility study of red mud-blast furnace slag based geopolymeric grouting material: Effect of superplasticizers.” Constr. Build. Mater. 267 (Jan): 120910. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2020.120910.
Liu, Z., C. S. Cai, F. Liu, and F. Fan. 2016. “Feasibility study of loess stabilization with fly ash–based geopolymer.” J. Mater. Eng. 28 (5): 04016003. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)MT.1943-5533.0001490.
Mikulcic, H., J. J. Klemes, M. Vujanovic, K. Urbaniec, and N. Duic. 2016. “Reducing greenhouse gas emissions by fostering the deployment of alternative raw materials and energy sources in the cleaner cement manufacturing process.” J. Cleaner Prod. 136 (Part B): 119–132. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2016.04.145.
Nematollahi, B., and J. Sanjayan. 2014a. “Effect of different superplasticizers and activator combinations on workability and strength of fly ash based geopolymer.” Mater. Des. 57 (May): 667–672. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matdes.2014.01.064.
Nematollahi, B., and J. Sanjayan. 2014b. “Efficacy of available superplasticizers on geopolymers.” Res. J. Appl. Sci. Eng. Technol. 7 (Feb): 1464–1468. https://doi.org/10.19026/rjaset.7.420.
Odeh, N. A., and A. H. J. Al-Rkaby. 2022. “Strength, durability, and microstructures characterization of sustainable geopolymer improved clayey soil.” Case Stud. Constr. Mater. 16 (Jun): e00988. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cscm.2022.e00988.
Ogirigbo, O. R., D. Imafidon, and J. O. Ehiorobo. 2021. “Chemical stabilization of deltaic lateritic soil using cement and superplasticizer.” NIPES J. Sci. Technol. Res. 3 (2): 144–152.
Ogundiran, M. B., and S. Kumar. 2015. “Synthesis and characterization of geopolymer from Nigerian clay.” Appl. Clay Sci. 108 (May): 173–181. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clay.2015.02.022.
Park, S. M., J. G. Jang, N. K. Lee, and H. K. Lee. 2016. “Physicochemical properties of binder gel in alkali-activated fly ash/slag exposed to high temperatures.” Cem. Concr. Res. 89 (Nov): 72–79. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconres.2016.08.004.
Phetchuay, C., S. Horpibulsuk, C. Suksiripattanapong, A. Chinkulkijniwat, A. Arulrajah, and M. M. Disfani. 2014. “Calcium carbide residue: Alkaline activator for clay–fly ash geopolymer.” Constr. Build. Mater. 69 (Oct): 285–294. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2014.07.018.
Phummiphan, I., S. Horpibulsuk, T. Phoo-ngernkham, A. Arulrajah, and S.-L. Shen. 2016. “Marginal lateritic soil stabilized with calcium carbide residue and fly ash geopolymers as a sustainable pavement base material.” J. Mater. Eng. 29 (2): 04016195. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)MT.1943-5533.0001708.
Pu, S., W. Duan, Z. Zhu, W. Wang, C. Zhang, N. Li, P. Jiang, and Z. Wu. 2022. “Environmental behavior and engineering performance of self-developed silico-aluminophosphate geopolymer binder stabilized lead-contaminated soil.” J. Cleaner Prod. 379 (Part 2): 134808. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2022.134808.
Rafiean, A. H., E. N. Kani, and A. Haddad. 2020. “Mechanical and durability properties of poorly graded sandy soil stabilized with activated slag.” J. Mater. Eng. 32 (1): 04019324. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)MT.1943-5533.0002990.
Ramachandran, V. S. 1995. Concrete admixtures handbook: Properties, science, and technology. 2nd ed. Park Ridge, NJ: Noyes Publications.
Sahoo, S., and S. P. Singh. 2022. “Strength and durability properties of expansive soil treated with geopolymer and conventional stabilizers.” Constr. Build. Mater. 328 (Apr): 127078. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2022.127078.
Samantasinghar, S., and S. P. Singh. 2021. “Strength and durability of granular soil stabilized with FA-GGBS geopolymer.” J. Mater. Civ. Eng. 33 (6): 06021003. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)MT.1943-5533.0003736.
Scholen, D. E. 1995. “Stabilizer mechanisms in nonstandard stabilizers.” In Vol. 2 of Proc., 6th Int. Conf. on Low-Volume Roads. Washington, DC: TRB, National Research Council. http://onlinepubs.trb.org/Onlinepubs/conf/1995/cp6/v2/cp6v2-029.pdf.
Seo, J., S. J. Bae, D. I. Jang, S. Park, B. Yang, and H. K. Lee. 2020. “Thermal behavior of alkali-activated fly ash/slag with the addition of an aerogel as an aggregate replacement.” Cem. Concr. Compos. 106 (Feb): 103462. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2019.103462.
Sukmak, P., S. Horpibulsuk, and S.-L. Shen. 2013a. “Strength development in clay–fly ash geopolymer.” Constr. Build. Mater. 40 (Mar): 566–574. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2012.11.015.
Sukmak, P., S. Horpibulsuk, S.-L. Shen, P. Chindaprasirt, and C. Suksiripattanapong. 2013b. “Factors influencing strength development in clay–fly ash geopolymer.” Constr. Build. Mater. 47 (Oct): 1125–1136. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2013.05.104.
Tempest, B., O. Sanusi, J. Gergely, V. Ogunro, and D. Weggel. 2009. “Compressive strength and embodied energy optimization of fly ash based geopolymer concrete.” In Proc., University City Blvd, Charlotte, World of Coal Ash (WOCA) Conf. NC 28223. Lexington, KY: World of coal ash, Center for Applied Energy Research.
Wu, H.-C., and P. Sun. 2007. “New building materials from fly ash-based lightweight inorganic polymer.” Constr. Build. Mater. 21 (1): 211–217. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2005.06.052.
Xiong, G., and X. Guo. 2022. “Effects and mechanism of superplasticizers and precursor proportions on the fresh properties of fly ash—Slag powder based geopolymers.” Constr. Build. Mater. 350 (Oct): 128734. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2022.128734.
Xu, L., W. Guo, T. Wang, and N. Yang. 2005. “Study on fired bricks with replacing clay by fly ash in high volume ratio.” Constr. Build. Mater. 19 (3): 243–247. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2004.05.017.
Zhang, M., H. Guo, T. El-Korchi, G. Zhang, and M. Tao. 2013. “Experimental feasibility study of geopolymer as the next-generation soil stabilizer.” Constr. Build. Mater. 47 (Oct): 1468–1478. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2013.06.017.
Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering
Volume 36 • Issue 7 • July 2024
Copyright
© 2024 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Jul 3, 2023
Accepted: Dec 18, 2023
Published online: Apr 26, 2024
Published in print: Jul 1, 2024
Discussion open until: Sep 26, 2024
ASCE Technical Topics:
- Clays
- Curing
- Engineering materials (by type)
- Geomechanics
- Geotechnical engineering
- Geotechnical investigation
- Material mechanics
- Material properties
- Materials engineering
- Materials processing
- Penetration tests
- Polymer
- Shear strength
- Soil mechanics
- Soil properties
- Soil strength
- Soils (by type)
- Strength of materials
- Synthetic materials
Authors
Metrics & Citations
Metrics
Citations
Download citation
If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download.