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Improving the characteristics of dispersive subgrade soils using lime
Bisrat Gissila Gidday1, Satyendra Mittal1
1Civil Engineering Department, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, 247 667, Uttarakhand, India.
Heliyon
|February 25, 2020
Summary
This study stabilizes problematic dispersive soil using lime to improve road subgrades. Optimal results were achieved with 7-9% lime content, enhancing soil strength and durability.
Area of Science:
- Geotechnical Engineering
- Soil Science
- Materials Science
Background:
- Dispersive soils pose significant challenges in geotechnical engineering due to their erodibility.
- Instability is linked to variations in moisture content and exchangeable sodium levels.
- Effective management of dispersive soils is crucial for infrastructure development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To enhance the engineering properties of road subgrades by stabilizing dispersive soil with lime.
- To investigate the impact of lime stabilization on soil index properties, dispersivity, and strength.
- To determine the optimal lime content for effective soil stabilization.
Main Methods:
- Laboratory testing of dispersive soil samples stabilized with varying percentages of lime.
- Evaluation of index properties, including Atterberg limits and particle size distribution.
- Measurement of unconfined compressive strength (UCS) and California Bearing Ratio (CBR) after different curing periods.
- Assessment of soil dispersivity using standardized tests.
Main Results:
- Lime stabilization significantly improved index properties and reduced soil dispersivity.
- Unconfined compression strength and California Bearing Ratio values increased with higher lime content and extended curing times.
- Optimal performance was observed with lime content ranging from 7% to 9% of dry soil weight.
- Stabilized soil exhibited enhanced durability and suitability for subgrade applications.
Conclusions:
- Lime is an effective stabilizing agent for dispersive soils in road construction.
- The optimal lime content for achieving high strength and durability in subgrade applications is between 7% and 9%.
- Stabilization with lime enhances the overall quality and performance rating of subgrade pavements.
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