Strengthening Sand Column Using

PFA-Cement Mixture

Mustafa Y.
Master in Civil Engineering, Faculty of Civil Engineering,
University Teknologi MARA Malaysia
e-mail: Mustafa_yahya89@yahoo.com

Shakri S.
Ph.D in Civil Engineering, Faculty of Civil Engineering,
University Teknologi MARA Malaysia
e-mail: shagamy2@yahoo.com

Hafez M.A.
Associate Professor, Faculty of Civil Engineering,
University Teknologi MARA Malaysia
e-mail: egypt8@gmail.com

Adnan M.A
Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Civil Engineering,
University Teknologi MARA Malaysia
e-mail: akram@salam.uitm.edu.my

ABSTRACT
Soft soils are generally labelled as problematic and weak soil because they have poor resistance to
deformation, low permeability, limited bearing capacity and excessive settlement. Thus, improvement of
the feeble properties of soft soils can be achieved by adopting suitable ground reinforcement technics. This
study introduced the use of Pulverized Fuel Ash (PFA)-cement sand column as one of the solutions
strengthen the soft soil. PFA was carefully chosen in this study because of its chemical compositions,
strength characteristics and workability that can helping in process of improving the ground. The
investigation is based on laboratory experimental work which involved 2 modules of laboratory test. The
first test conducted was shear box test where 180 samples of PFA-cement-sand and 180 samples of PFA-
cement-quarry dust mixed in different proportions and tested for 28 days of curing time. The purpose of
this test are to determine the suitable material to be used either sand or quarry dust in process of
strengthening of mixture and also to determine the suitable mix design that can providing the optimum
value of shear strength. Unconfined compression test (UCT) was carried out as second test. Based on shear
box test result, sand has been selected as a material mixed along with PFA-cement. For UCT test, lime,
cement and mix of lime-cement are been used in process to determine either cement or lime itself or mix of
lime-cement will providing suitable mixture with the optimum strength. 72 samples with various
proportions been tested for 28 days of curing time.
KEYWORDS: Pulverized Fuel Ash; Ground Improvement; Shear Box Test; Unconfined
Compression Test

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 Vol. 18 [2013], Bund. T 4970

INTRODUCTION
Constructions on marginal sites such as soft clay soil require ground improvement or
modification techniques. One of the most currently used techniques is stabilized columns that are
industrialized of materials having higher strength characteristics than soft clay soil to increase its
strength. [3] stated that mechanical and chemical stabilization are two of the most effective
methods to upgrade the properties of soil by using some additives such as cement, fly ash, lime
and bituminous material. There are several investigations that have been done regarding different
aspects of strength of stabilized soil like [5] Kawasaki et al. (1984), and [2]. However, persistent
studies are needed such as by using different types of binder and by the increase of curing time
may affect the strength properties of the soft soil.
Soft soil possesses high tendency to fail when subjected to construction load due to its high
compressibility. It also has weak strength attributes which disable it to fulfill the basic
requirement to cater for structure load. Therefore, most of the geotechnical engineers are always
facing challenges in providing satisfactory site condition at low cost but safe bearing capacity and
less differential settlements. In order to overcome this problem, soft soil should be treated before
construction. [6] has conducted a research on the impact of tire chips mixed with lime, gysum,
and fly ash composites for quantification of unconfined compressive strength in process to
strengthening soft clay. [5] through research, stated that fly ash is a supplement that can be used
to increase the strength and at the same time to solve the problems of settlement. Also through
their research, they had showing that the use of fly ash can improve the bearing capacity and
hence salving the problems of settlement under the road embankment clay. Therefore with the
same purpose through this study, a new method in order to expand the ground improvement
technique for poor ground problems by using PFA-cement sand mixture try to be founded.

EXPERIMENTAL PROGRAM
Material Used
This section covered the physical properties tests that were conducted for the soft soil and
sand. These tests were moisture content test, particle density test and Atterberg limit test. The
summary of properties tests result for soft soil (kaolin) and sand are shown in Table 1.
Table 1: Physical properties for soft soil (kaolin) and sand
Physical property test Soft clay sand

Moisture content , (%) 26-36 5.28-6.77

Plastic limit , (%) 21.05 _

Liquid limit , (%) 32.62 _

Particle Density, ρ (Mg/ ) _ 2.45

Soil classification Clay of low plasticity, CL Well Graded Sand, SW

From Table 1, it can be clearly seen that the moisture content for soft clay is in the range of
26% to 36% of its modified. After much laboratory works, the soft clay soil possesses a plastic
 Vol. 18 [2013], Bund. T 4971

limit of 21.05% and a liquid limit of 32.62%. Basically the moisture content of soft soil should be
greater than this range for most soft clay. However in this case, the clay sample was taken from
laboratory in which the soil lost its originality due to long storage at laboratory. Therefore, soft
clay soil could be identified as CLAY of low plasticity for its classification. While it can be
presumed that the moisture content of sand ranged from 5.28% to 6.77% when it is in a natural
state. The particle density of sand however has been obtained as 2.45 Mg/m3. Thus, the soil
classification of silica soil used in this experiment is Well Graded SAND.

Experimental Methodology
To achieve the objectives of this study, a stage of laboratory work has been performed so that
the result can be presented systematically. There were some tests that have been conducted for
different proportion of stabilized sand PFA cement in order to determine the suitable for
stabilization and adequate amount of stabilizing agent to be used. Different percentages of sand,
PFA cement contents was mixed together to determine the optimum strength by conducting shear
box test at curing period of 28 days. Each of the samples has been processed at the laboratory by
following the code of practice [1]. All of the laboratory works are to be proceeded to determine
the physical and chemical properties of the samples of admixtures.
After determining the physical properties of the basic materials involved in this study, Shear
box test has been carried out as a direct method of measuring the shear strength of a soil in the
laboratory. Figure 1 shows the sample of shear box test after been tested. This laboratory test is
performed to determine the relationship between the shear strength behavior of a proportion of
PFA-cement sand/quarry in first layer with natural clay for the second layer under different
densities and confining stresses. The other main test that has been conducted was the UCT test
which was mainly carried out to determine the compressive strength of the PFA-lime sand, PFA-
lime-cement sand and PFA-cement sand specimens. Figure 2 shows the cylinder sample diameter
50 mm and high 100 mm.

Figure 1: Sample of shear box test after

having been tested
 Vol. 18 [2013], Bund. T 4972

Figure 2: Cylinder samples of UCT test

EXPERIMENTAL RESULTS
Shear Box Test with 28 Days Curing Time

Shear box is a direct shear test to measure the normal and shear stress on the failure surface
directly. The samples were cured for 28 days in rectangular prism and fitted into a square metal
box that is split into two halves horizontally. All samples were tested under 30, 60 and 120 kPa
normal stresses. A total of 180 samples of stabilized PFA-cement sand and 180 samples of PFA-
cement quarry dust were prepared and moulded.
After analyzing all the 360 samples from shear box test, the result showed that the
combination of 60% PFA gives the highest value of interface shear strength after 28 days curing
time for both PFA-cement sand and PFA-cement quarry dust. The graphs below in Figure 3 to
Figure 6 show the relationship between the shear strength and the percentage of PFA at 4%, 8%,
12% and 16% of cement for both PFA-cement sand and PFA-cement quarry dust mixes.
Vol. 18 [2013], Bund. T 4973

4% Cement
150
145
Shear Strength (kPa)

140
Sand
135
130
125 Quarry
120 Dust
115
110

Figure 3: Shear strength of various configuration of PFA and sand/ quarry dust with 4%
cement

8% Cement
160
155
Shear Strength (kPa)

150
Sand
145
140
135 Quarry
130 Dust
125

Figure 4: Shear strength of various configuration of PFA and sand/ quarry dust
with 8% cement
 Vol. 18 [2013], Bund. T 4974

12% Cement
150
145
Shear Strength (kPa)

140 Sand
135
130
125 Quarry
120 Dust
115
110

Figure 5: Shear strength of various configuration of PFA and sand/ quarry dust
with 12% cement

16% Cement
150
145 Sand
Shear Strength (kPa)

140
135
130 Quarry
125 Dust
120
115

Figure 6: Shear strength of various configuration of PFA and sand/ quarry dust
with 16% cement

Figure 3 till Figure 6 show the shear strength characteristics of the modified samples by
cement and sand or cement and quarry dust improved by PFA with using various configuration.
Figure 3 shows the characteristics of shear strength based on 4% of cement and mixed by various
percentage of PFA-Sand and PFA-quarry dust. Result showed readings for shear strength will
increase parallel with rising percentage of PFA where the highest value were recorded when PFA
used was 60% which is 146.7 kPa for PFA-cement sand and 138 kPa for PFA-cement quarry
dust. In Figure 4, percentage of cement used is 8% and the highest value for the shear strength
was recorded at 155 kPa for PFA-cement sand and 145 kPa for PFA-cement quarry dust which is
 Vol. 18 [2013], Bund. T 4975

the percent utilization of 60% PFA. In Figure 5, percentage of cement used was 12% and it
recorded the highest of shear strength at 146 kPa for PFA-cement sand and 146 kPa for PFA-
cement quarry dust. Last but not list, Figure 6 also shows the same results. The highest value of
shear strength recorded at 148 kPa for PFA-cement sand and 146 kPa for PFA-cement quarry
dust.
From the Figure 3 till Figure 6 , it can be seen that PFA-cement sand sample that contain 8%
cement, 60% PFA and 32% sand gave better shear strength compared to other samples. However,
the shear strength started to decrease from 12% cement. This is occurred due to stabilized
samples were experienced overdose combination of PFA-cement-sand proportion. Markedly,
samples with PFA-cement-sand proportion showed higher strength than samples with PFA-
cement quarry dust after 28 days curing time. It is also noted that samples with 8% cement
proportion gave better increment of shear strength compared to other proportion of cement. Based
on the result of shear strength test, the stabilized column with PFA-cement sand additives as 60%
PFA, 8% cement and 32% sand content could obtain the highest strength and therefore showed
potential uses for ground improvement purposes.
From all tabulated figures, it can be seen that, the declined line show when there is too much
amount of PFA added the shear strength is decreased as the sample was not able to stand the
amount of PFA applied.  The primary reason PFA is used in soil stabilization applications is to
improve the shearing strength of the soil. The increase of shear strength of sand column mainly
depends on PFA addition ratio. The shearing strength start to increase at the state of 40%
combination of PFA until it reached 60% PFA, and after that the shear strength starts to decrease.
It is also important to note that a substantial addition of PFA from 70% - 80% seemed to reduce
the rate of shear strength in the long term. This leads to conclude that, the use of excessive
amount of PFA content gives disadvantageous result to the shearing resistance.
In addition, after 28 days curing, pozzolonic reactivity and cementation caused considerable
improvement in their shear strength. Cement is a stabilizing agent because in the presence of
water, the calcium silicate and aluminum from hydrated compound that subsequently produce a
strong, hard matrix that glue the soil particle together. Moreover, PFA also contain silicate and
aluminum thus also pozzolan. Pozzolan react chemically with cement to strengthen the stabilized
column properties. PFA particles are almost totally spherically in shape, allowing them to flow
and blend freely in mixtures.
Considering these observations, conclusion can be made that, the suitable material to be used
is sand rather than use quarry dust due to the optimum percentage of shear strength. On the other
hand, the most suitable amount of PFA to be added in sand column stabilization mixtures is in
between 60% PFA to the weight of material. The PFA alone is not a very strong material. In order
to make good performance, the combination of cement and sand will produce a better result for
shearing resistance. In that case, sand was selected to be used as one of the materials for UCT
test. Sand been used as one of the materials in UCT test.
 Vol. 18 [2013], Bund. T 4976

Unconfined Compression Test (UCT) with 28 Days Curing

Time

UCT TEST
2500

2000
15% LIME
Strength,kPa

1500
15% CEMENT
15% LIME/CEMENT
1000
20% LIME
500 20% CEMENT
20% LIME/CEMENT
0
20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65
% of PFA

Figure 7: Increase in Unconfined Compressive Strength after 28 days curing

Unconfined compression test was conducted to establish a general trend for the gain in
strength with different additives. For example, the lime content was fixed at 15% whereas the
PFA content was varied from 30% to 60% at curing times of 28 days. The increase in strength of
the blended columns is shown in Figure 7, where each data point represents the mean of 3
specimens.
Figure 7 also shows that after a period of four weeks (28 days), 20% of cement stabilized
sample attained the highest strength. At very high PFA-sand content of 50%, the specimens
suffered from less effective cementation due to increased coarse nature, hence revealing low
initial strength due to tensile cracking upon uniaxial loading. This is attributed to the premature
failure of these specimens due to splitting of ends and spalling of the surface probably caused by
a reduction in overall effective stress cohesion; hence shear strength as a result of high sand-PFA
content. The samples with sand-PFA lesser than 50% developed more shear failure and did not
show premature tensile splitting and surface instability modes. In addition, after 28 days of
curing, pozzolanic reactivity and cementation caused considerable improvement in their uniaxial
compressive strength.
 Vol. 18 [2013], Bund. T 4977

CONCLUSION
The following conclusion can be made up from the result of the experimental work. In this
study, shear box test was carried on as the main laboratory work as a way to determine the shear
strength. Shear strength properties of sand PFA cement mixtures showed noticeable changed after
28 days curing time. From the shear box result, stabilized column with 60% PFA, 32% sand and
8% cement gives the highest shear strength than others combination of PFA-cement sand.
Sand has been replaced with quarry dust in order to evaluate the performance of PFA-cement
quarry dust. After 28 days curing time, the result shows that, the combination of PFA-cement
quarry dust gives the lower value of shear strength compared to PFA-cement sand. This can be
stimulating that, PFA-cement sand is the better condition to being used in engineering field. Due
to pozzolonic reaction of cement, the stabilized mixture gives higher values after 28 days curing
time because pozzolan continue to combine with PFA increasing strength over time. The
objectives of this study are achieved which are to compare between interface skin friction of sand,
quarry dust, PFA cement material.
After 28 days of curing, unconfined compression test of stabilization materials that contained
PFA-sand 40% with 20% cement gives the highest strength compared to PFA-sand 50% with
20% cement. Excessive PFA-sand content in stabilization columns could cause premature failure
such as splitting of ends of the specimen and spalling of the surface. The discrepancy between
soils with added cement and soils with added lime-cement is large. Whereas the degree of
deformation for lime added soils is slow and showed little difference for both 15% and 20% of
stabilization agents.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The authors thank Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) for the Fundamental Research
Grant Scheme (FRGS) under project of Axial Load and Road Condition Relationship Model;
600-RMI/FRGS 5/3 (36/2012)

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