THE SIGNIFICANCE OF SOIL PROPERTIES IN LIME-SOIL STABILIZATION

The results of this investigation indicate that soil properties are important in determining the beneficial effects produced by lime-soil stabilization. The plasticity of soils having a wide range of properties was considerably modified by the addition of lime, although soil properties, primarily clay content, somewhat influenced the degree of modification obtained. The bonding created by the reaction of lime and soil appeared to be substantially influenced by organic matter and factors characterizing the soil's exchangeable cation status. The presence of substantial amounts of organic carbon (greater than 1%) adversely affected the reaction. Broadly speaking, pH greater than approximately 7, Ca/Mg ratios in excess of about 1.5, larger-than-average amounts of exchangeable sodium, and poor natural drainage were indicative of good lime-reactivity. The importance of natural soil properties in the lime-soil stabilization process emphasizes that engineers must be cognizant of soil characteristics other than grain size distribution and plasticity. In many instances this additional soil information can be obtained from the areas of soil science, pedology, clay mineralogy, and allied sciences. It is emphasized that this report is based on data obtained fro representative Illinois soils and one lime type. The results of this investigation are therefore limited in scope and cannot be applied indiscriminately. The soil properties pertinent to this investigation may not be as significant in other areas where different great soil groups, parent materials, climate, etc., prevail. If this were the case, similar investigations in these different areas would indicate it. If in the future, determination of factors influencing the lime-soil reaction and the stabilization mechanisms were emphasized, it should be possible to establish general principles and guides for evaluating a soil with regard to its probable reactivity with lime. Such principles and guides could greatly contribute to the utilization of lime as an effective and economical soil stabilizing agent.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • Report of the Investigation of Lime Stabilization of Soils for Highway Purposes, Project IHR-76, Illinois Cooperative Highway Research Program.
• Corporate Authors:

  University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign

  Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
  205 North Mathews Avenue
  Urbana, IL  United States  61801-2352
• Authors:
  • Thompson, M R
• Publication Date: 1964-6

Media Info

• Features: Appendices; Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 42 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Bonding; Calcium oxide; Cations; Chemical reactions; Organic content; Plasticity; Properties of materials; Soil stabilization; Soil water; Soils
• Uncontrolled Terms: Soil properties
• Old TRIS Terms: Exchangeable cations; Lime soil water reaction; Organic content (Soil); Soil plasticity
• Subject Areas: Geotechnology; Highways; Materials;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00083896
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Apr 8 1975 12:00AM