Effect of Cement and Quarry Dust on Shear Strength and Hydraulic Characteristics of Lithomargic Clay

The lithomargic clay constitutes an important group of residual soils existing under lateritic soils. This soil is found on the western and eastern coasts of India over large areas. This soil is a problematic one and is very sensitive to water and loses a greater part of its strength when becomes saturated. These high silt deposits have invited many problems such as slope failures, foundation failures, embankment failures, uneven settlements etc. In this investigation an attempt is made to study the effect of cement and quarry dust on shear strength and hydraulic characteristics of the lithomargic clay after the stabilization. Microfabric and mineralogical studies were carried out to find out the reason for the strength development of the stabilized soil using SEM and XRD analysis. The results indicated that there is an improvement in the properties of the lithomargic clay with the addition of cement and quarry dust. The XRD results indicated the formation of CSH and CAH, which are responsible for strength development in the stabilized soil.