Mechanical Behavior and Sulfate Resistance of Alkali Activated Stabilized Clayey Soil

TLDR: In this paper, the authors investigated the stress strain behavior, peak stress and ultimate strain of clayey soil stabilized by slag and slag-fly ash blending by alkali activation and found that peak stress as high as 25.0 n/mm2 may be obtained at 50% slags content when 12 molar sodium hydroxide solutions were used.

Abstract: Clayey subgrade soil requires treatment in order to make the subgrade stable for pavement structures. Treatment of clayey soil i.e. stabilization of clayey soil by cement, lime, and fly ash are established techniques used in geotechnical and highway engineering. Stabilization by alkali activation of fly ash is reported recently but literatures are limited. Present study investigates the stress strain behavior, peak stress and ultimate strain of clayey soil stabilized by slag and slag-fly ash blending by alkali activation. The peak stress as high as 25.0 N/mm2 may be obtained at 50% slags content when 12 molar sodium hydroxide solutions were used. Peak stress, ultimate strain and slope of stress–strain curve of stabilized clay are controlled by Na/Al and Si/Al ratios. Stress–strain response and peak stress of slag and fly ash blended specimen are not governed by Na/Al and Si/Al ratios; rather the behavior is dependent predominantly on slag content.