Mechanical and durability properties of a soil stabilised with an alkali-activated cement

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2019

Authors

Sara Rios (Author) FEUP; Catarina Ramos (Author) FEUP; A. Viana da Fonseca (Author) FEUP; Nuno Cruz (Author) Other; Carlos Rodrigues (Author) Other

Journal

Title: European Journal of Environmental and Civil Engineering

Vol. 23

Pages: 245-267

ISSN: 1964-8189

Publisher: Taylor & Francis

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 6 Citations

Scopus - 36 Citations

Academic Search Ultimate (EBSCO)

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00Q-EMV

DOI: 10.1080/19648189.2016.1275987

Abstract (EN): Alkali-activated cements (AAC) have been extensively studied for different applications as an alternative to Portland cement (which has a high carbon footprint) and due to the possibility of including waste materials such fly ash or slags. However, few works have addressed the topic of stabilised soils with AAC for unpaved roads, with curing at ambient temperature, where the resistance to wetting and drying (WD) as well as the mechanical properties evolution over time is particularly relevant. In this paper, silty sand was stabilised with an AAC synthesised from low calcium fly ash and an alkaline solution made from sodium silicate and sodium hydroxide. The evolution of stiffness and strength up to 360 days, the tensile strength, and the performance during WD cycles were some of the characteristics analysed. Strength and stiffness results show a significant evolution far beyond the 28th curing day, but still with a reasonable short-term strength. Strength parameters deduced from triaxial tests were found to be very high with stress-strain behaviour typical of cemented soils. Durability properties related to resistance to immersion and WD cycles were found to comply with existing specifications for soil-cement, giving validity for its use as soil-cement replacement.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 23