Scanning Electron Microscope Analysis of Fly Ash, Quarry Dust Stabilized Soil

Soil is a complex material with different minerals present in variant proportions, since it is formed due to weathering of rocks. The proportion of mineral governs the behaviour of soils. The soils with Montimorillonite mineral are more expansive in nature. The structures build with or on these soils are prone to problems like cracking, foundation failures due to their Swelling and Shrinking behaviour. Stabilization of expansive soil using admixtures is effective way of improving the intended soil properties and strength in specific. This paper focuses on the performance of Fly Ash and Quarry Dust as admixtures to the selected expansive soil. Laboratory investigations for determining Atterberg Limits, Compaction Characteristics, Deformation behaviour and Unconfined Compressive Strength and mineralogical analysis are performed by Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) technique. The general behaviour of soil alone and after admixing with different percentages of Fly Ash and Quarry Dust are analyzed from laboratory test results and cross checked from Scanning Electron Microscope studies on the selected expansive soil.