CEMENT STABILIZATION

CONCEPT OF CEMENT SOIL MIX

The primary reaction is the hydration leads to the

formation of cementitious material (calcium silicate
and aluminium hydrates as in concrete).
These reactions occur almost independently of the
nature of the soil.
The hydration reaction releases hydrated lime
(about 30% by mass of the added cement) which
can cause secondary reactions with any pozzolans
(usually clay) within the soil.
The secondary reaction produces cementitious
products similar to those from the primary reaction.

equations

Pozzolanic reactions are usually slow but continue

over a long period provided that adequate moisture
is present. Reactions are also temperature sensitive,
the rate of reaction increasing with increasing
temperature.

Cement has two important effects

on soil behavior
It greatly reduces the moisture
susceptibility of some soils, giving
enhanced volume and strength stability
under variable moisture conditions.
It can cause the development of
interparticle bonds in granular
materials, endowing the stabilized
material with tensile strength and high
elastic modulus.

FACTORS INFLUENCING PROPERTIES OF SOIL CEMENT

MIX

Soil
Cement
Pulverization and mixing
Compaction
Curing
Additives

SOIL

Particle size distribution, clay content,

LL, PI affect the properties of mix.

Cement content:
Increase in cement content causes increase
in strength and durability.
For satisfactory stabilization, amount of
cement depends on type of soil.
Cement requirement increases with specific
surface area of the soil.

Pulverization and mixing

Presence of unpulverised dry lumps of soil
reduces strength and durability of mix

 Compaction

Dry density of mix can be increased by increasing the amount of

compaction.
Curing

Higher temperature of curing accelerates the rate of gain in

strength, strength also increases with age.
Additives

Sodium hydroxide, sodium carbonate and calcium chloride are some

of useful chemical additives to soil cement mix

Note :Organic material and sulphates may cause retardation of the reaction

DESIGN MIX

Most commonly used methods

British method
(based on compressive strength of specimens cured
for 7 days)

PCA method
(Based on durability of mix to withstand wet-dry
cycles and freeze-thaw cycles.)

Strength of various soils stabilised with general purpose cement

(cured for7 days at 25C and constant moisture content