Strength and microstructural characterization of industrial waste amended dispersive soil

Dispersive soil (DS) is a unique kind of clay that easily breaks down into smaller particles and floats in water. This makes it a great material for causing erosion and pipe damage to road slopes, channels, and dams. Because dispersive soils have a higher concentration of sodium content and are deflocculated when exposed to running water, they are more prone to erosion. The dispersive soil cannot be visually distinguished from other normal clay soils. Furthermore, visual classifications like Atterberg's limits, and particle size distribution don't deliver enough indication to distinguish between DS and other normal clayey soil. Dispersive soil was once considered to be non-erodible clayey soils. However, it was recently discovered that some clayey soils that contain montmorillonite and have medium-to-low plasticity (CL-CH and CL) also tend to erode. Chemistry and mineralogy of clays, and dissolved salts presence in the pore fluid, all affect soil dispersion leading to erosion. Various amounts of cement clinker (CC) (5 to 30%), blast-furnace slag in ground granulated form (GGBS) (5 to 15%), and various proportions of fly ash (FA) (5 to 20%) have been used in this investigation to stabilize the DS. To assess the strength of stabilized soils, specimens containing varying amounts of DS, CC, FA and GGBS were collected. By mixing additives in different amounts, the results for unconfined compressive strength (UCS) can be substantially enhanced. The optimum mix proportion of 30% CC, 20% FA, and 15% GGBS in dispersive soils has been achieved from UCS test results. According to the study, a combined mix of CC, GGBS, and FA is more effective in improving strength than an alone mix. The formation of hydrated particles and changes in microstructure are shown by X-ray diffraction tests (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Ettringite, CASH, and CSH are important for enhancing strength due to the interaction between the additives and soil.