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     Research Journal of Applied Sciences, Engineering and Technology

Research Article   |   OPEN ACCESS

Soil Stabilization Using Lime: Advantages, Disadvantages and Proposing a Potential Alternative

1, 2Ibtehaj Taha Jawad, 1Mohd Raihan Taha, 1, 2Zaid Hameed Majeed and 1Tanveer A. Khan
1Department of Civil and Structural Engineering, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Malaysia
2Department of Civil Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Babylon, Iraq
Research Journal of Applied Sciences, Engineering and Technology  2014  4:510-520
http://dx.doi.org/10.19026/rjaset.8.1000  |  © The Author(s) 2014
Received: March ‎24, ‎2014  |  Accepted: May ‎10, ‎2014  |  Published: July 25, 2014
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Abstract

This study is an overview of previous studies on lime (quick and hydrated) -treated soil. Lime is the oldest traditional stabilizer used for soil stabilization. The mechanism of soil-lime treatment involves cation exchange, which leads to the flocculation and agglomeration of soil particles. The high pH environment then causes a pozzolanic reaction between the free Ca+2 cations and the dissolved silica and alumina. Lime-treated soil effectively increases the strength, durability and workability of the soil. Such treatment also improves soil compressibility. A fluctuation behavior was observed on the influence of lime on soil permeability. However, the factors affecting the permeability of the soil-lime mixture should be extensively studied. Nonetheless, lime treatment has a number of inherent disadvantages, such as carbonation, sulfate attack and environment impact. Magnesium oxide/hydroxide are thus proposed as a suitable alternative stabilizer to overcome at least some of the disadvantages of using lime in soil stabilization.

Keywords:

Lime, magnesium oxide , soil stabilization, treatment mechanism,

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Competing interests

The authors have no competing interests.

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