Strength Development of Silty Clay by Calcium Carbide and Bagasse Ash One-part geopolymer for pavement structure

Abstract

This research investigates the improvement of silty clay by using calcium carbide residue and bagasse ash with an alkaline activator (flakes of sodium hydroxide (NaOH)). The variables studied were silty clay to binder ratio of 80:20, calcium carbide residue binder (CCR) to bagasse ash (BA) ratio of 10:90, 20:80, 30:70, 40:60, 50:50, and 60:40, the sodium hydroxide concentration was 5 molars, the curing times were 7, 14 and 28 days and the moisture contents were 80%, 100% and 120% of OWC. The unconfined compressive strength test (USC) was tested on the soil-modified sample. The result was found that the strength increased with the amount of calcium carbide residue at the OWC. The optimum ratio of CCR: BA is 50:50 which produces the highest strength at 1,530 kPa. In addition, the compressive strength will increase with curing time the highest at 28 days.