Stabilization of Soft Soil with Cement and Palm Kernel Shell Ash Admixture

Abstract

This paper focuses the results of the improvement in shear strength parameters and CBR of soft clay when stabilized with cement and cement-Palm Kernel Shell Ash (PKSA). Different combinations of soil- cement and soil-cement-PKSA mixtures are prepared with the addition of cement and PKSA in the range of 2-10% by weight of soil. Series of tests including compaction, UCT, and CBR tests were performed. The influence of curing time is also studied on CBR and undrained strength property of various sample combinations. Results indicate that the addition of PKSA to the soil-cement mixtures increases the CBR. The percentage of optimum PKSA content in the mix for soil with 10% cement is 2%. The effect of time on clay, cement, and PKSA mixture is significant, i.e. an average of 0.5% per day.