Soil Stabilization

Soil Stabilizers
Quicklime: CaO Lime Kiln Dust: CaO Hydrated Lime: Ca(OH)2 Cement: CaO, SiO2, Al2O3 Cement Kiln Dust: CaO, SiO2, Al2O3 Class C Fly Ash: CaO, SiO2, Al2O3 Class F Fly Ash: SiO2, Al2O3
Source: PCA R&D Serial No. 2435

Lime Stabilization
Flocculate and agglomerate clay particles by replacing monovalent cations such as Na+ with Ca++ Cement clay particles together by creating CaCO3 from CaO plus atmospheric CO2 Cement clay particles together by creating a pozzolanic reaction between CaO, SiO2, and Al2O3
Source: PCA R&D Serial No. 2435

Clay Mineralogy

Source: hydram.epfl.ch/VICAIRE/mod_3/chapt_1/text.htm

Clay Mineralogy

Kaolinite

Illite

Smectite

Source: hydram.epfl.ch/VICAIRE/mod_3/chapt_1/text.htm

Edge View

Typical Thickness (m)

Typical Diameter (m)

Specific Surface (m2/g)

0.001 - 0.01
Montmorillonite

0.1 - 0.5

200 - 800

0.01 - 0.1
Illite

0.2 - 2.0

50 - 100

0.05 - 0.2
Kaolinite

0.2 - 2.0

10 - 30

Clay Mineralogy

Dispersed & Deflocculated

Dispersed & Flocculated

Agglomerated & Flocculated

Agglomerated & Deflocculated

Source: hydram.epfl.ch/VICAIRE/mod_3/chapt_1/text.htm

Lime Stabilization
Agglomerate clay particles by replacing monovalent cations such as Na+ with Ca++ Cement clay particles together by creating CaCO3 from CaO plus atmospheric CO2 Cement clay particles together by creating a pozzolanic reaction between CaO, SiO2, and Al2O3
Source: PCA R&D Serial No. 2435

A Bit of Chemistry
When limestone (calcium carbonate) is heated above 825C, carbon dioxide is driven off, leaving lime (calcium oxide):

CaCO3 CaO + CO2

heat > 825 C

This process is called calcination.

A Bit of Chemistry
The lime is usually mixed with water to form slaked lime (calcium hydroxide)

CaO + H 2O Ca(OH )2 + heat

which is more stable because the limes thirst for water has been slaked.

A Bit of Chemistry
Carbon dioxide in the air can combine with the slaked lime to essentially form new limestone (calcium carbonate)

Ca(OH )2 CaCO3 + H2O

CO2

This was a form of ancient cement.

Lime Stabilization
Agglomerate clay particles by replacing monovalent cations such as Na+ with Ca++ Cement clay particles together by creating CaCO3 from CaO plus atmospheric CO2 Cement clay particles together by creating a pozzolanic reaction between CaO, SiO2, and Al2O3
Source: PCA R&D Serial No. 2435

Cement Hydration
water calcium hydroxide crystals

CS + H CSH + CH + heat

calcium silicate

calcium silicate hydrate gel

Pozzalanic Reaction
CS + H CSH + CH + heat CH + S CSH
pozzolan

Treatment Selection

Unified Soil Classification System

Casagrandes Plasticity Chart

Selection Guide

Source: Army TM 5-822-14

Selection Guide

Source: Army TM 5-822-14

Selection Guide

Source: Army TM 5-822-14

AASHTO Soil Classification

Soil Modification Guide

Source: http://www.okladot.state.ok.us/materials/pdfs-ohdl/ohdl51.pdf

Soil Stabilization Guide

Source: http://www.okladot.state.ok.us/materials/pdfs-ohdl/ohdl50.pdf