Shear strength parameters of improved organic soil by calcium base stabilizer

Abstract

The stabilization of soils with additives is a chemically modified method that can be used to improve soils with weak engineering properties. The stabilizing mechanisms of non-traditional additives are not fully understood, and their proprietary chemical composition makes it very difficult to evaluate the stabilizing mechanisms and predict their performance. The present research aimed to determine the strength of peat soil stabilized with calcium base stabilizer in different percentage. To determine the physical reaction of SH-85 for the soil stabilization and to determine to microstructural characteristics behavior of organic soils treated with SH-85. Several test will be carried out such as Atterberg Limit, Specific Gravity, Standard Proctor Test and Unconfined Compressive Strength Test (UCS) were performed after time frame 3, 7 and 28 days as curing time with different percentage of SH-85 (3 o 15%), respectively. These tests used to assess the engineering and shear properties of the stabilized organic soil. Apart from the physicochemical characteristics of the stabilized organic, scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) test were also carried out to study the ongoing microstructural changes. Based on the results from UCS test it was found that the specified additives can increase the peat soils strength, as the increment of SH-85 is around 10 times more than untreated soil respectively, which is gained first 7 days of curing. Scanning electron microscopy results shows that the porosity of untreated soil filled by the new cementitious products.