1.2.

3 STABILIZATON USING ADMIXTURES

SOIL STABILIZATION
It is the process of improving the engineering properties of soil by mixing
some binding agents thus binding the soil particles
In a broader sense it also includes compaction, pre consolidation and many
more such process. Soil stabilization is classified as
1. Mechanical stabilization
2. Chemical stabilization

1.2.3.1 MECHANICAL STABILIZATION

Mechanical stabilization is the process of improving the properties of soil by
changing its gradation. Two (or) more types of natural soils mixed to obtain
composite which is suspension to any of its components.

1.2.3.2 CHEMICAL STABILIZATION

Chemical stabilization is the form of lime, cement, fly ash and the
combination of the above is widely used in soil stabilization to
1.) Reduce the permeability of the soil.
2.) Improve shear strength.
3.) Increase bearing strength.

4.) Decrease settlement.

Soil and chemicals are mixed either mechanically in place or by bath
process. The optimum benefit of using these agents in stabilization must be
determined by laboratory testing.

1.2.3.3 LIME STABILIZATION

This is done by adding lime to soil. It is useful for stabilization of clayed soils.
When lime reacts with soil, there is exchange of cations in the adsorbed
water layer and a decrease in plasticity of soil occurs. The resulting material
is more friable than the original clay and is therefore more suitable as sub
grade. This method is not effective for sandy soils. However these soils can
be stabilized in combination with clay, fly ash or other pozzolonic materials,
which serve hydraulically reactive in gradients.

1.2.3.4 CEMENT STABILIZATION

Cement stabilization is done by mixing pulverized soil and Portland cement
with water and compacting the mix to attain a strong material .The material
obtain by mixing soil and cement is known as soil cement .The mix becomes
hard and durable structural material as the cement hydrates and develops
strength. The soil cement is quite weather resistant and strong. It is
commonly used for stabilizing sandy and other low plasticity soils. Cement
interacts with the silt and clay fractions and reduced their affinity for water
.It reduces the swelling characteristics of the soil.

1.2.3.5 FLY ASH STABILIZATION

Fly ash is a byproduct of the pulverized coal combustion process. Fly ash has
silica, alumina and various oxides and alkalis as its constituents. It is fine

grained and pozzolanic in nature. Fly ash reacts actively with hydrated lime
and hence is used in combination with lime as a stabilizer. A mixture of about
10 to 35 % of fly ash and 2 to 10 % of lime forms as effective stabilizer for
stabilization of highway bases and sub bases .Soil-lime-fly ash mixes are
compacted under controlled condition with adequate quantity of water.
1.2.4 MISCELLANEUS METHODS.
Apart from the methods listed above, there are some other simple methods
like removal and replacement of soil. In this paper these are discussed first
before taking up above techniques.

1.2.4.1 REMOVAL AND REPLACEMENT OF SOIL

One of the oldest and simplest soil improvement methods is to simply
excavate the unsuitable soil and replace them with compacted fill. This
method is often used when the problem the soil is that it is too loose. In that
case, the same soils used to build the fill, except now it has a higher unit
weight (because of compaction) and thus has been better engineering
properties. This method can be expensive because of the hauling costs and
the need for imported soils to replace those that were excavated. It also can
be difficult to find a suitable disposal site for the excavated soils. Removal
and replacement is generally practical only above the ground water table.
Earthwork operations become more difficult when the soil is very wet, even
when the free water pumped out, and thus are generally avoided unless
absolutely necessary.

1.2.4.2 PRECOMPRESSION OF SOIL

Another old and simple method of improving soils is to cover them with a
temporary surcharge fill. This method is called precompression, preloading,
or surcharging. It is especially useful in soft clayey and silty soils because the
static weight of the fill causes them to consolidate, thus improving both
settlement and strength properties. Once the desired properties have been
obtained, the surcharge is removed and construction proceeds on improved
site.

1.2.4.3 ELECTROOSMASIS AND ELCTRO CHEMICAL HARDENING

METHOD
The electroosmasis process can be used to increase the shear strength and
reduce the compressibility of soft clayey and silty soils beneath foundation.
By introducing an electrolyte such as calcium chloride at the anode, the Base
Exchange reaction between the iron anode and surrounding soil is increased,
resulting in the formation of ferric hydroxides which bind the soil particles
together. However because the cost of electric power and wastage of
electrodes this method is used only when another method piling is not used.