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Application of Cementitious Materials and Fiber Reinforcement to Enhance Lime Stabilization for Nebraska Shale Soils
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2025-02-01
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[PDF-8.94 MB]
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Edition:Final Report July 2022 to February 2025
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Abstract:Lime stabilization is a widely used technique to improve weak subgrades; however, its effectiveness under freeze-thaw cycles remains a critical challenge. This study investigates the incorporation of cementitious materials and fiber to enhance the mechanical properties and environmental resistance of lime-stabilized soils under such conditions. Two types of soil, gray shale (plasticity index of 37.8) and clay soil (plasticity index of 19.0) from Nebraska, were used. Stabilization mixtures included lime dosages of 0%, 3%, and 6% by weight, combined with either 10% fly ash or 3% and 6% cement by weight, and 0% and 1% fiber. The experimental program comprised a multitiered approach: characterization of physical properties through geotechnical tests (e.g., particle size distribution, Atterberg limits, and standard Proctor tests), preparation of composite specimens for unconfined compressive strength (UCS) and direct shear testing, and evaluation of environmental resistance through freeze-thaw cycles (7 cycles after 14 days of curing and 12 cycles after 28 days of curing). Additionally, large-scale testing was conducted using the Large-Scale Track Wheel test to simulate field conditions. Results showed that lime and fly ash significantly reduced the plasticity index of gray shale, with less pronounced effects on clay soil. The UCS values for gray shale ranged from 61.2 to 300.7 psi for lime stabilization, 137 to 272 psi for lime and fly ash stabilization, and 129 to 490.8 psi for lime-cement stabilization. For clay soil, UCS values ranged from 68 to 149 psi for lime stabilization, 119 to 146 psi for lime and fly ash stabilization, and 204 to 379.2 psi for lime-cement stabilization. The inclusion of fiber further enhanced the shear strength parameters of the soils, particularly increasing cohesion. Cement-lime stabilization demonstrated superior UCS retention and resistance to freeze-thaw cycles for both soil types, outperforming lime alone and lime-fly ash treatments. These findings highlight the importance of incorporating cementitious materials to enhance the durability and performance of lime-stabilized soils under harsh environmental conditions.
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