Effect of cement grain size on the geotechnical properties of stabilized clay

In this study, some geotechnical properties of microfine and ordinary Portland cements stabilized high plasticity clayey soil (HPCS) were investigated. The results showed that liquid limit, permeability, swelling potential and compressibility of HPCS were reduced and HPCS’s plastic limit and unconfined compressive strength (UCS) was increased by both microfine Portland cement (MPC) and ordinary Portland cement (OPC) stabilizations. Besides, liquid limit, permeability, swelling potential and compressibility of HPCS were further reduced by MPC. Although dry UCS of MPC stabilized HPCS was almost the same as the dry UCS of OPC stabilized HPCS, the plastic limit and wet cured UCS of MPC stabilized HPCS was higher than that of wet cured UCS of OPC stabilized HPCS. In general, as the size of cement particles became finer, the stabilization of HPCS became more effective.