Geomechanics and Engineering

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An experimental investigation on dispersion and geotechnical properties of dispersive clay soil stabilized with Metakaolin and Zeolite

  • Ahmadreza Soltanian (Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Civil and Earth Resources Engineering, Islamic Azad University) ;
  • Amirali Zad (Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Civil and Earth Resources Engineering, Islamic Azad University) ;
  • Maryam Yazdib (Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Civil and Earth Resources Engineering, Islamic Azad University) ;
  • Amin Tohidic (Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Civil and Earth Resources Engineering, Islamic Azad University)
  • Received : 2023.08.17
  • Accepted : 2024.02.28
  • Published : 2024.03.25
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Abstract

Dispersion occurs when clay soil disperses under specific conditions and is rapidly washed away. While there are numerous methods for rectifying it, they are neither cost nor time-effective. The current study used metakaolin and zeolite to improve heavily dispersive clay soil either separately or in combination at 0%, 2%, 4%, 6%, and 8% of the soil weight. After 7 days of curing, the samples were tested to determine the extent of change in the dispersion potential, as well as the improvement of the geotechnical properties of the soil. The results indicated that the addition of 2% zeolite with 6% to 8% metakaolin decreased the dispersion potential considerably. Double hydrometry test findings revealed that the dispersion potential decreased by almost 70% and entered the non-dispersive group; the crumb test also revealed this. Atterberg limits testing indicated a decrease in the plasticity index which reduced the flexibility of the samples. The greatest decrease in PI (67.5%) was achieved with the addition of 8% zeolite plus 8% metakaolin to the soil. The results of density tests revealed that a decrease in the optimal moisture content increased the maximum dry density of soil. This increase in density was a response to the high reactivity of metakaolin with calcium hydroxide and the formation of calcium hydroxide hydrate gel. This eventually caused an increase in the unconfined compressive strength, the greatest increase in strength of about 1.8-fold was observed with a combination of 2% zeolite and 6% metakaolin compared to the unmodified sample.

Keywords

References

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