Engineering Properties and Moisture Susceptibility of Silty Clay Stabilized with Lime, Class C Fly Ash, and Cement Kiln Dust

Abstract

A laboratory study was undertaken to evaluate the effectiveness of different percentages of hydrated lime, class C fly ash (CFA), and cement kiln dust (CKD) as soil stabilizers. Cylindrical specimens were compacted and cured for 28 days in a humidity room having a constant temperature and controlled humidity. At the end of the curing period, specimens were tested for resilient modulus (Mr), modulus of elasticity (ME), and moisture susceptibility using tube suction test. The study revealed that the values of Mr, ME, and unconfined compressive strength (UCS) for the stabilized specimens increased with the increase in the amount of the stabilizing agent. It was also found that the increase in Mr, ME, and UCS values varies with the type of stabilizing agents. The CKD-stabilized specimens exhibited a higher increase in Mr, ME, and UCS values than the corresponding values of lime- and CFA-stabilized specimens. Additionally, CKD-stabilized specimens exhibited the least moisture susceptibility in terms of lowest dielectric values as compared to lime- and CFA-stabilized specimens.