Marginal lateritic soil/crushed slag blends as an engineering fill material

Authors

Phuttipong Sudla, Suranaree University of Technology
Suksun Horpibulsuk, Suranaree University of TechnologyFollow
Avirut Chinkulkitniwat, Suranaree University of Technology
Arul Arulrajah, Swinburne University of Technology
Martin D. Liu, University of WollongongFollow
Menglim Hoy, Suranaree University of Technology

RIS ID

127670

Publication Details

Sudla, P., Horpibulsuk, S., Chinkulkitniwat, A., Arulrajah, A., Liu, M. D. & Hoy, M. (2018). Marginal lateritic soil/crushed slag blends as an engineering fill material. Soils and Foundations, 58 (3), 786-795.

Abstract

Lateritic soil (LS) with suitable mechanical properties is commonly used as the subbase and as engineering fill material in roads. However, LS is becoming increasingly scarce as a source for road projects. The usage of marginal LS as a pavement subbase and engineering fill material leads to some challenging issues that this research seeks to address. This paper evaluates the possibility of using crushed slag (CS), a waste by-product, as a replacement material to stabilize marginal LS for engineering fill applications. An investigation was undertaken on the physical and mechanical properties of the LS/CS blends at various CS replacement contents. The laboratory evaluation program included particle size distribution, specific gravity, water absorption, Los Angeles (LA) abrasion, Atterberg limit, California Bearing Ratio (CBR) and swelling tests. CS replacement was found to reduce the fine content and increase the abrasion resistance of the marginal LS, resulting in a reduction in liquid limit, plasticity index, LA abrasion and particle breakage. With increases in the CS replacement content, a marked improvement in the physical properties of the blends was found, including increased soaked CBR and reduced swelling. Normalized CBR_CS /CBR₀ and S_CS /S₀ and CS replacement relationships were developed in this research. CBR_CS and S_CS are the CBR and swelling values at various CS replacement contents, respectively and CBR₀ and S₀ are the CBR₀ and swelling values at a 0% CS replacement content, respectively. The results are expected to be of interest to both geotechnical and pavement practitioners. The physical and mechanical properties of the blends with a minimum of 10% CS replacement content were found to meet the national local road authority requirements for engineering fill material.