Multiscale Study of Sodium Sulfate Soaking Durability of Low Plastic Clay Stabilized by Reactive Magnesia-Activated Ground Granulated Blast-Furnace Slag

Abstract

Portland cement (PC) has been used extensively in ground improvement. However, environmental effects caused by PC production and durability of PC-stabilized soils when exposed to sulfate attack are of global concern. Previous studies show that reactive magnesia-activated ground granulated blast-furnace slag (GGBS) is a viable sustainable alternative binder to PC. However, limited research has been conducted on the durability of GGBS-magnesia (MgO) stabilized soft soils subjected to sulfate attack. This study presents a multiscale investigation on the performance of the reactive MgO-activated GGBS stabilized kaolin clay when soaked in a concentrated sulfate sodium solution. PC is adopted as a control binder for the purpose of comparison. The macroscale variations in mass change (MC), water content (