M icro fabric and mineralogical studies on the stabilization of expansive soil using cement industry wastes
This study aims to describe the micro fabric and mineralogical alterations of an expansive clay soil in Coimbatore (Tamilnadu, India) caused by the addition of cement industry wastes namely bottom ash and Ecosand (commercial name) In order to explicate the alterations, geotechnical properties and mineralogical composition of the untreated soil is determined. Soil samples are then mixed with different percentages of bottom ash, ecosand and their combination to decide the optimum dosage of these additives. X ray diffraction pattern (XRD) and Scanning Electron Microscopic images (SEM) of the untreated and treated soil samples are obtained and studied. XRD pattern shows the formation of stable compounds. SEM micrographs reveal the formation of the organized and flocculated structure due to the addition of cement industry waste.Reduction in average interplanar spacing of the treated soil shows the stabilizing effect of the cement industry wastes resulting in the reduction of swell pressure and swell potential values. Addition of these stabilizers induces desired geotechnical properties to the soil. This experiment was undertaken for a curing period of 28 days.