Geotechnical Properties of Lime-Magnesium Slag Stabilized Clayey Sand: Experimental Study

Over the past decades, quite a few investigations have been carried out to utilize slags as a cementing agent in landfills, road construction, concrete, and mortars. However, a limited number of research studies investigated the use of magnesium slag as a soil stabilizer in geotechnical engineering projects. The manufacturing process of metallic magnesium produces a large volume of magnesium slag which is occasionally dumped in open areas. In this research, the potential use of magnesium slag as an additive agent to improve the properties of lime-stabilized soil was experimentally investigated. For this purpose, a number of different tests such as pH, Standard Proctor Compaction, Unconfined Compressive Strength, Indirect Tensile Strength, Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure, X-ray diffraction, and Scanning Electron Microscopy were performed on the clayey sand containing 0%, 10%, 20%, 30%, 40% and 50% magnesium slag with 4% and 8% lime (by dry weight of the used soil). Samples were cured for 7, 28, and 56 days. The results of the study indicated that the addition of the maximum amount of magnesium slag (50%) at all curing days improved the geotechnical characteristics of soil samples containing 8% Lime. Generally, it was found that magnesium slag can be effectively applied in soil stabilization projects to improve the geotechnical properties and alleviate environmental repercussions.