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Updated: Jun 13, 2026
06:27
Sandy Soil Improvement through Microbially Induced Calcite Precipitation (MICP) by Immersion
Published on: September 12, 2019
Effect of Water-Solid Ratio on the Performance, Microstructure Evolution, and Low-Carbon Characteristics of
Jiaojiao Ni1, Qing Jiang2, Qiwei Zhan2
1China Construction Industrial & Energy Engineering Group Co., Ltd., Nanjing 210046, China.
Materials (Basel, Switzerland)
|June 12, 2026
Summary
A novel solid waste-based geopolymer cement (SGPC) offers a sustainable alternative for soil stabilization. This low-carbon material significantly reduces CO2 emissions and costs while maintaining excellent engineering performance.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Civil Engineering
- Environmental Science
Background:
- Industrial solid wastes like soda residue (SR), granulated blast furnace slag (GGBS), and phosphogypsum (PG) require sustainable utilization.
- Excavated soils present disposal challenges, necessitating eco-friendly stabilization methods.
- Conventional cement-based stabilizers have a significant carbon footprint and high cost.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and evaluate a novel low-carbon composite cementitious material (SGPC) using industrial solid wastes.
- To investigate the impact of the water-to-solid ratio on the performance of SGPC-stabilized soil.
- To assess the engineering properties, microstructure, environmental benefits, and economic feasibility of SGPC as a sustainable stabilizer.
Main Methods:
- Formulation of SGPC binder with 80% industrial solid waste (SR, GGBS, PG) and 20% ordinary Portland cement (PC).
- Systematic investigation of water-to-solid ratios (0.41-0.49) on workability, mechanical strength, and setting times.
- Microstructural analysis using techniques to understand hydration products and pore structure.
- Environmental and economic assessments, including CO2 emission and cost reduction analysis.
Main Results:
- Optimum water-to-solid ratio of 0.43 (SGPC43) achieved a 28-day unconfined compressive strength of 1450 kPa, exceeding engineering requirements.
- SGPC43 exhibited good workability (163 mm flowability after 60 min) and appropriate setting times (43 h initial, 58 h final).
- Microstructure analysis revealed dense C-(A)-S-H and ettringite formation, contributing to enhanced mechanical performance.
- CO2 emissions reduced by approximately 74.7% (235 kg CO2-e/t), and material cost decreased by approximately 51.8% (53 USD/t) compared to conventional PC.
Conclusions:
- SGPC43 demonstrates superior engineering performance, meeting and exceeding critical soil stabilization requirements.
- The developed SGPC material offers significant environmental advantages through substantial CO2 emission reduction.
- Economic feasibility is confirmed by a significant reduction in material costs, making SGPC a cost-effective alternative.
- SGPC shows strong potential as a sustainable, low-carbon, and economically viable stabilizing material for soils.
Keywords:
environmental benefitsflowable stabilized soilmechanical propertiesmicroscopic mechanismwater-solid ratioworkabilityMore Related Videos
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