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Soil stabilisation: the use of sustainable materials as soil binders

This research focused on investigating the material behaviour of stabilised soft alluvial soils. The aim was to improve poor ground conditions for civil engineering.

Project leader

Dr Paul Sargent

Dates

2010-2013

Project staff

Prof Stephanie Glendinning

Dr Mohamed Rouainia

Description

The project assessed industrial by-products (IBPs) including fly ash and blast furnace slag. It assessed the IBPs for their applicability as soil binders rather than CEM-I.

It combined alternative akalis such as steel slag, sodium hydroxide and sodium silicate with IBP binders. This assessed their ability to activate pozzolanic (strength-gaining) reactions with the soil.

The project conducted the following state-of-the-art laboratory techniques:

  • static/dynamic triaxial
  • compressive strength
  • compressibility testing
  • These techniques characterised stabilised soil mixtures

Researchers utilised data obtained from testing to numerically model stress path behaviour. They also modelled engineering performance of stabilised alluvial soil columns.

In particular they modelled soil columns when incorporated within embankments. These embankments experienced cyclic loading exhibited by road or rail traffic.