Assessment of the effect of Ground Granulated Blast-furnace Slag (GGBS) and activated GGBS on stabilization of a clay soil contaminated with glycerol

The stabilization of a clay soil contaminated with glycerol was studied through a series of experimental tests. Contaminated soil was artificially prepared with percentages of 4,8 and 12% from the solution of glycerol with concentration of 50%. GGBS and activated GGBS with MgO or mixture of MgO and cement were used as agent materials. They were added and mixed with both natural and contaminated soil at percentages of 5,10 and 15%. Atterberg limits, compaction and unconfined strength tests (UCS) were performed on both soils with and without agents. The results showed that these parameters varied when adding glycerol or different agents and the extent of these changes were dependent on the percentage of glycerol and the type of agent. In addition, it was resulted that under constant conditions, strength values were dependent on the curing time. E50 (Elastic coefficient) for each strength test was calculated and the variations in its value corresponded to changes in strength. Comparing the results indicated that the effect of activated GGBS in increasing the strength and E50 of both soils were greater than that of GGBS alone. Based on the SEM results, it was revealed that the increase in the strength of stabilized soil is due to the production of chemical bonds between the particles of soil.