Effect of Zeolite on Unconfined Compressive Strength of Cement Stabilized Clay Soil as a Construction Material

Abstract

Effect of zeolite on Unconfined Compressive Strength (UCS) of cement stabilized clay soil as a construction material is presented. Clay collected from Giri Village, Gwagwalada area of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nigeria, and classified as A-7-6 and CH based on American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) and Unified Soil Classification System (USCS) methods of soil classification respectively, was used for the study. The soil was treated with up to 6% cement, at 2% variations and admixed up to 15% zeolite, at 3% variations, by dry weight of the soil. Performance of the additives (cement and zeolite) was investigated with respect to unconfined compressive strength. The results showed UCS of the treated soil increasing with increase in cement content. Addition of zeolite to the soil-cement mixtures increased UCS to their maximum values at 6% zeolite content, after which the values decreased. The study therefore established that clay of high plasticity can be treated with 6% zeolite (and less cement content), to achieve the 1710 or 1750 kN/m2 reported in the literature, as criteria for design cement content, considered adequate for soil-cement composite as base course material for highway pavements with light to medium traffic.