Experimental Modeling for Time-Dependent Strength Behavior of Lignosulfonate-Treated High Plasticity Clay

Abstract

Traditional chemical stabilizers have been widely used for decades in order to enhance the strength and compressibility of soil. However, such stabilizers have been observed to create severe problems related to soil characteristics, groundwater quality, and also make the soil excessively brittle in nature. In the present study, lignosulfonate (a by-product from the timber industry) has been used to stabilize high plasticity clay and its influence on stress-strain behavior and unconfined compressive strength was investigated at different dosages of lignosulfonate and curing periods. From the test results, a logarithmic model was developed to predict the time-dependent strength behavior of lignosulfonate-treated high plasticity clay. In addition, the rate of strength development models were also proposed as a function of the lignosulfonate–to–dry soil mass ratio and time in order to illustrate the accumulation of strength gain during the different curing stages. The regression coefficients were determined from the proposed models and their correlation with the different parameters has been explained.