Rheological and strength performances of cold-bonded geopolymer made from limestone dust and bottom ash for grouting and deep mixing

This paper aims to research the potential use of cold-bonded geopolymer stabilizer made from limestone dust and bottom ash for grouting and deep soil (clay) mixing. For this purpose, the rheology and strength performances of the cement (PC)-based grouts with the stabilizers of limestone dust (LD), bottom ash (BA), geopolymerized cold-bonded limestone dust (GLD), and geopolymerized cold-bonded bottom ash (GBA) were investigated. The rheometer tests were conducted for the rheological performances at a wide range of stabilizer replacement (0–100%) and water/binder (w/b) ratio (0.75–1.5). Using proper replacements from the grout rheology, the unconfined compressive strength (UCS) tests (7 days, 28 days) were performed for the grouting (w/b = 1) and deep mixing (w/b = 1–1.25). The effect of stabilizer on the failure patterns was also examined from specimens of UCS tests. From the experimental work, the rheology of grout mixtures indicated (i) the adequacy of low amount of stabilizer replacements (< 50%); (ii) the dilatant behavior similar to PC; (iii) a decreasing trend of the shear stress, apparent viscosity, yield stress, and plastic viscosity with the increased w/b; (iv) slight to moderate responses of PC mostly; and (v) a potentially favorable rheology of cold-bonded stabilizers (GLD, GBA) for grout flow and workability regarding the yield stress and plastic viscosity. From the strength tests of grout mixtures (0–40%), the GBA additions yielded higher UCS performances for the grouting. For the deep mixing, both the additions of GLD and GBA were found more successful for the strength. The failure planes of UCS specimens were observed independent from the stabilizer types and dosage rates that dominantly failed in axially or near-axial splitting. From the study, the contributions of GLD and GBA from the potential of cold bonding are relatively promising for grouting and deep mixing.