Suitability charts to select stabilizer for excavated soils and rocks (ESR)

ABSTRACT The aim of the study is to develop charts to select the most suitable stabilizer (i.e. cement, lime and fly ash) for excavated soils and rocks (ESR) to improve their engineering behaviour. The suitability charts were developed based on considerations of soil gradation and plasticity. Data from the literature where cement, lime and fly ash (FA) were used to improve soil strength were collated. Based on the normalized unconfined compressive strength (UCS) of the soils, zones of various degree of soil strength improvement for cement, lime and FA were identified. The suitability charts were validated using data from the literature not used in the development of the suitability charts. New data on kaolin and three ESRs from Guangzhou improved with cement, lime and FA. The suitability charts correctly indicated that lime is most suitable for kaolin while cement is most suitable for red soil and silty sand.