INVESTIGATION OF THE IMPACT OF SILICA FUME REINFORCEMENT

ON THE EXPANSIVE CLAYEY SOIL

A Thesis

by

AKASH ASHOK TANSHETTE

Submitted to the College of Graduate Studies

Texas A&M University-Kingsville
in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of

MASTER OF SCIENCE

May 2019

Major Subject: Civil Engineering

 INVESTIGATION OF THE IMPACT OF SILICA FUME REINFORCEMENT

ON THE EXPANSIVE CLAYEY SOIL

A Thesis

by

AKASH ASHOK TANSHETTE

Approved as to style and content by:

Jong-Won Choi, Ph.D.

(Chairman of Committee)

er-
A rn‘ < kit-CS kola
W
A
ei az,,P un, Ph.D.
Member of Committee)
Amir Hessami, Ph.D.
(Member of Committee)

Breanna M. Bailey George Allen Rasmussen, Ph.D.

(Chair of Depart (Vice President for Research and Graduate
Studies)

May 2019
 ABSTRACT

Investigation of the Impact of Silica Fume Reinforcement

On The Expansive Clayey Soil

(May 2019)

Akash Ashok Tanshette, B. Tech., MIT, Aurangabad-MH, India

Chairman of Advisory Committee: Dr. Jong-Won Choi

Expansive soils have caused damage to foundation of structures over the world and its
amount was more than twice those by floods, hurricanes and earthquakes. Volume of the expansive
soils may change significantly depending upon their water contents. Understanding these types of
may enable engineers to reduce the potential harms to the structures.
This work outlines an integrated experiment program to explore swelling of clay and the
impact of silica fume on the reduction of volume change of expansive soils. Series of laboratory
experiments have been performed on soil samples with 0%, 1% and 10% of silica fume by weight
of soil. The test results showed that montmorillonite was highly expansive when exposed to water.
It had volume change of 16% at 50% optimum water content with 0% silica fume. The vertical
deformation would decrease by 98% to 100% after three days with silica fume content of 1% to
10%, the vertical compression in soil sample was found only when the soil was stabilized with
silica fume. The maximum drop in swelling was found in soil with 10% of silica fume. These
investigation showed that stabilization with silica fume can significantly reduce swelling potential
of expansive clay.

iii
 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

I would first like to express my special thanks of gratitude to my thesis advisor

Dr. Jong-Won Choi in Frank H. Dotterweich College of Engineering at Texas A&M University
Kingsville, for providing me with an opportunity to do research work and giving me all support
and guidance, which made me complete the research duly. I am extremely thankful to him for
providing delightful support and direction, although he had a busy schedule managing the
university affairs.
I would also like to thank my thesis committee members, who were involved in the
validation for this research: Dr. Dazhi Sun and Dr. Amir Hessame in Frank H. Dotterweich College
of Engineering at Texas A&M University Kingsville. Without their encouragement and input,
the validation of this thesis could not have been successfully conducted.
I am thankful to and fortunate enough to get constant encouragement, support and guidance
from all teaching staffs of Civil and Architectural Engineering Department, which helped me in
my research. Also, I would like to extend my sincere thankfulness to laboratory technician Gerald
W. McTigret in Frank H. Dotterweich College of Engineering at Texas A&M University-
Kingsville, for helping me in laboratory and providing me all the laboratory instruments. I am also
thankful to former student Avani Borsadiya for her guidance and support in our work.

iv
 TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page

...iv

CHAPTER 2.
CHAPTER
.

3.3.3. One-Dimensional
CHAPTER

4.3. One-Dimensi
CHAPTER

5.2 One-

v
CHAPTER

vi
 LIST OF TABLES

Page

Table 3.1 Composition of All Sample

Table 4.2 Compaction Characteristics of Montmorillonite

Table 4.3 One-Dimensional Swell or Collapse Test Result of Sample Group 1

Table 4.4 One-Dimensional Swell or Collapse Test Result of Sample Group 2

Table 4.5 One-Dimensional Swell or Collapse Test Result of Sample Group 3

Table 4.6 One-Dimensional Swell or Collapse Test Result of Sample Group 4

Table 5.1 Comparison for Percentage Change in Swelling

vii
 LIST OF FIGURES

Page

Figure 1.1 Geological Formations in Texas

Figure 1.2 Development of Cracks in Foundations and Wall

Figure 3.1 Diagram of The Three-Layer Montmorillonite Clay Mineral

Figure 3.2 Parts of Consolidometer

Figure 3.3 Schematic Diagram of Consolidometer Parts

Figure 3.4 Consolidation Loading Frame

Figure 4.1 Graph between OMC and MDD

Figure 4.2 One-Dimensional Swell or Collapse Test Results of Sample Group 1

Figure 4.3 One-Dimensional Swell or Collapse Test Results of Sample Group 2

Figure 4.4 One-Dimensional Swell or Collapse Test Results of Sample Group 3

Figure 4.5 One-Dimensional Swell or Collapse Test Results of Sample Group 4

Figure 5.1 Graphical Comparison of One-Dimensional Swell or Collapse Test Results

of all Sample Group
Figure 5.2 Graphical Comparison of One-Dimensional Swell or Collapse Test Results
of Sample Group 2, 3 and 4

viii
 CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

1.1. Expansive Clay

Expansive clay is a type of clayey soil which exhibits significant volumetric changes i.e.
swelling and contracting dependi . Jones and Jones [25] said that
Expansive soils have caused damage to foundation of structures over the world and they are more
than twice those by floods, hurricanes and earthquakes. Volume of the expansive soils may
change ey
soil
it was important to examine how moisture changes in soil and how soil properties affect the
moisture content. The geological formations and types of clayey soil found in Texas were shown
in Figure 1.1, where highly expansive clays were present in areas 85, 86, 87, and 150.

1
Figure 1.1 Geological Formations in Texas (Carter [14])

2
 The expansive soils in their natural state may not be suitable for construction because of
their shrinking and swelling nature due to change in water content, which were causing many
damages to structures like cracked floors, foundations, basement walls and cracked or heaved
driveways, some of the damages were shown in Figure 1.2 . In these cases it needs to be treated to
enhance its properties like bearing capacity, swelling and settlement. One of the most used treatment
methods for expansive soils is chemical stabilization, which is executed by mixing soil with cement,
fly ash, bitumen, lime, sawdust and silica fume etc. to enhance the engineering properties with the
performance such as accelerate settlement, the durability and higher strength as well as to lower the
permeability, volumetric change and compressibility.

Figure 1.2 Development of Cracks in Foundations and Wall (Ohio Basement Systems [26])

3
1.2. Objectives of Work
This research work was to investigate the swelling characteristics of
expansive clayey soil and the impact of silica fume reinforcement on the reduction of its volume
change.
For accomplishing above objective, the following jobs were executed in this research work:
Detect the maximum dry density and the optimum moisture content of expansive clayey
soil to examine the effect of moisture on expansive soil.
Examine the swelling potential of the expansive soil, with and without reinforcement by
silica fume.
Endorse the application of silica fume in expansive clayey soil for stabilization in reference
to engineering properties.

4
 CHAPTER 2

LITERATURE REVIEW

The expansive clayey soils should be treated to enhance their properties like the plastic
limit (PL), liquid limit (LL), plasticity index (PI), optimum water content (OMC), bearing
capacity, swelling potential and maximum dry density (MDD) etc. which can be achieved by soil
stabilization to reduce their swelling potential. To this end, researchers investigated the effect of
cement with lime, fly ash and silica fume in soil stabilization, from which it was found that the
silica fume had notable impact in improving the swelling potential of the expansive soil which
were summarized in literature review as follows.
Al-Azzawi et al. [1] found that addition of silica fume to silty-clayey soils increased LL,
PL and OMC, while there was a decrease in the specific gravity and MDD of soil. They also found
a decrease in swelling pressure by 87% and an increase in compressive strength by 4% when the
content of silica fume increase from 5% to 15% and 5% to 10%, respectively. Al-Azzawi et al. [1]
recommended using silica fume for modification of engineering properties for expansive soil.
Negi et al. [2] investigated how index properties of black cotton soil were affected by silica
fume. They executed several experiments on samples with an increment of 5% of silica fume by
soils dry weight, they found that LL, shrinkage limit and PI were increased from 54% to 57%,
7.55% to 12.70% and 26.93% to 30.71%, respectively, whereas with increase in content of silica
fume as of 5% to 20%, PL was declined from 27% to 26% by. Also, the free swell declined from
50% to 7%. Thus, Negi et al. [2] stated that the silica fume was a suitable for enhancing the index
properties of black cotton soil.
Qassun et al. [3] studied enhancement of expansive soil properties using lime-silica fume
mixture (LSFM), by mixing LSFM to expansive soil. The tests results showed that the LSFM
reduces the LL, PI, MDD, swelling potential and increases unconfined compression strength
(UCS), PL, OMC and california bearing ratio (CBR). When 4% of lime with 8% of silica fume
was added in expansive soil, it was found that there was a decrease in swelling potential with
increase in number of wetting-drying cycles. Qassun et al. [3] concluded that LSFM can be used
as stabilizing agent effectively to reduce the problems of expansive soils.
Negi et al. [4] investigated how the engineering properties of black cotton soil were
influenced by addition of silica fume. It was indicated in the result that CBR and UCS significantly
increase when silica fume was added in black cotton soil. With an increase in silica fume content

5
by soils dry weight from 0% to 20% there was a decrease in swelling potential of the clay from
50% to 7%. Therefore, the degree of expansiveness was shifted from High to Low. Also, the
results of proctor compaction test in this study showed that, when the silica fume content in soil
sample increases there was decrease in the MDD with increase in OMC. Thus Negi et al. [4]
concluded that the silica fume improves the engineering properties of expansive clay.
AL-Soudany [5] examined the influence of silica fume on the expansive clay. In his
research silica fume was added in soil with 3%, 5% and 7% by soils weight and the properties of
the treated samples were compared with those of untreated soils. The results of the research show
that LL, PI and MDD decreased while silica fume content increased, whereas the PL and OMC
increased. AL-Soudany [5] also observed that with the increment of silica fume content there was
a decrease in swelling volume and pressure.
Singh and Sharma [6] studied stabilization of red soil with alccofine and silica fumes. In
their research tests were executed on red soil combined with silica fume content increasing from
0% to 10% by soil dry weight. The test outcomes presented a major increase in UCS and CBR but
also showed reduction in differential free swell from 7% to 2% with the 20% of silica fume besides
alccofine from 0 to 10 % correspondingly plus the degree of expansiveness of soil shifted from
Singh and Sharma [6] stated that silica fume could improve engineering
characteristics of expansive red soil.
Thakare and Chauhan [7] worked on the stabilization of black cotton soil for pavement
with fly ash, silica fume and lime. Their mixtures showed major progress in the CBR and UCS of
soil to the degree of 6.5 and 3.8 times, respectively, with comparison of un-stabilized soil. The soil
with combination of silica fume, fly ash and lime displayed reduction in swelling pressure of 57 %.
The black cotton soil after stabilization also showed reduction in pavement thickness for particular
design traffic of 50 msa (million standard axle), 100 msa and 150 msa.
Mostafa et al. [8] studied the application of silica fume and nano-silica in the stabilization
of subgrade pavement layer. In their study lime, silica fume, and nano-silica were used as additives
to prepare sample. The different percentages of lime as 2%, 4%, 6% and 8%, silica fume as 5%,
10% and 15%, while 1%, 2% and 3% of nano-silica were used. All prepared samples were tested
after the curing period of 7 and 28 days using free swelling and unconfined compressive strength.
The test results showed that the adding of lime, nano-silica and silica fume in the dirt decreased
the free swell, PI and MDD, whereas there was an increase in OMC and UCS. The maximum

6
percentage decrease in swelling potential was found at combination of 8% of lime and 15% of
silica fume.
Bharadwaj and Trivedi [9] studied how the engineering characteristic of expansive clayey
soil were effected by silica fume. In their study, series of experiments were executed on soil
samples with increment of 5% silica fume by weight of dry soil; i.e. from 0%, to 15%. LL and PI
increased by 17% from 50% to 67% and 7% from 24% to 31%, respectively. There was decrease
in specific gravity and differential free swell from 2.69% to 2.59% and 48.46% to 9%, respectively,
and also an increase in shrinkage limit from 10.44% to 13.01%, which were indicating a reduction
in swelling characteristics of expansive soil. Therefore, Bharadwaj and Trivedi [9] recommended
silica fume for use in stabilization of soils.
Kalkana and Akbulutb [10] investigated how silica fume has positive distinctive effects on
compressive strength, swelling potential and permeability of natural clayey soil liners. In which
they found mixing silica fume in clayey soil decreased the LL and PI, increased the PL in all the
clay samples. Silica fume slightly declined the MDD and increased the OMC of the soil samples.
As swelling pressure and permeability declined with increase in silica fume content, the
compressive strength of soil increased. They found high compressive strength, low swelling
pressure and low permeability in clay sample with silica fume contents of 25%.
Gupta and Sharma [22] investigated how the qualities of expansive clayey soil were
affected by silica fume. Different tests were carried out like compaction test for OMC and MDD
with increase in silica fume by 5% each time. It was found that with 10% of silica fume content,
there was an increase in optimum percentage for CBR. Gupta and Sharma [22] stated that silica
fume can advance the engineering characteristics and properties of clayey soil.

7
 CHAPTER 3

METHODOLOGY

3.1. Material Used

3.1.1. Montmorillonite
In this work we used unsaturated montmorillonite (pure clayey soil) instead of natural soil,
because it was hard to find the soil with homogeneous properties and composition. To get the ideal
test results unsaturated montmorillonite with homogeneous properties and composition was used.
Montmorillonite is clay minerals and it has received attention for a long time due to its
chemical and physical properties. It is used in environmental engineering as absorbent, industrial
applications such as catalytic activity and waste disposal. Montmorillonite clay mineral is the key
component of smectite and a lattice structure with 2:1, containing of one layer of octahedral sheet,
which isolate two layer of tetrahedral sheets as shown in Figure3.1. Most of the times
montmorillonite clay minerals are negatively charged because of the exchange of Si by Al in
tetrahedral sheets as well as exchanges of Al by Mg in middle octahedral sheet, which are
reimbursed through interlayer ions. Simultaneously, when water meet montmorillonite, it gets
which clay swelling takes place as main
reaction interest. For the experiment we used unsaturated montmorillonite.

Figure 3.1 Diagram of the Three-Layer Montmorillonite Clay Mineral (Drits et al. [23])

8
3.1.2. Cement
In this research we used 10% ordinary portland cement (OPC) as stabilizing agent to
stabilize the soil (pure clay). OPC is one of the most common cement used in the construction
industry worldwide because of the abundance and its low cost to production. In stabilization of
soil, cement was used as filling agent, which fills the voids present in the soils rapidly and
decreases the void ratio. The chemical reaction takes place when water was mixed with cement
and sample becomes hard due to which the unit weight of sample may also increase.

3.1.3. Silica Fume

Silica fume is an ultrafine powder of non-crystalline amorphous polymorph of silicon
dioxide, it is a by-product of the ferrosilicon alloy and silicon manufacture. It consist of fine

high performance concrete as pozzolanic material.

3.2. Sample Preparation

In this work, four different group samples were prepared (each with different composition)
to investigate limit, swelling, volumetric change, shrinkage limit and swelling pressure
of soil (clay), each group samples were tested three times for every experiment and test to get ideal
results. Compositions of components in each group was shown in Table 3.1.

Table 3.1 Composition of All Sample

Samples group No. Proportions as per percentage of weight

Group 1 Pure clay

Group 2 Pure clay + 10% cement

Group 3 Pure clay + 10% cement + 1% silica fume

Group 4 Pure clay + 10% cement + 10% silica fume

Group 1 was prepared for carrying out swelling test on montmorillonite (pure clay only),
in which 100 grams of montmorillonite was blended with 50 ml of water (i.e. 50% of total weight
of sample) and test was performed three times.

9
 Group 2 was prepared for carrying out swelling test experiment on montmorillonite mixed
with cement, 100 grams of soil samples were prepared three times. In which 90 grams and 10
grams of montmorillonite and cement respectively, were blended together with the OMC of 50%.
Group 3 was prepared for carrying out swelling test on montmorillonite with cement and
silica fume, 100 grams of samples were prepared for three times. In which 89 grams, 10 grams and
1 gram of montmorillonite, cement and silica fume respectively, were blended together with the
OMC of 50%.
Group 4 was prepared for carrying out swelling test on montmorillonite with cement and
silica fume, 100 grams of samples were prepared for three times. In which 80 grams, 10 grams and
10 grams of montmorillonite, cement and silica fume respectively, were blended together with the
OMC of 50%.

3.3. Experiments

3.3.1
were measured as per ASTM D4318.

3.3.1.1. Liquid Limit

The liquid limit is defined as the percentage of water content at which point the soil moves
from liquid consistency to plastic consistency state. Five tests were performed to found out liquid
limit of soil sample.

3.3.1.2. Plastic Limit

The plastic limit is defined as the percentage of water content at which point the soil no
longer acts as plastic state material and losses its plasticity and becomes a brittle material. Five
tests were performed to found out plastic limit of soil sample.

3.3.1.3. Plasticity Index

The plasticity index (P.I.) is an array of water content in which a soil stays in a plastic state
and shows plastic state properties. The arithmetic difference between liquid limit and plastic limit
of a soil is the plasticity index.

3.3.2. Proctor Compaction Test

Proctor compaction test was executed to found the relationship between OMC and MDD.
This tests mostly contain, compacting of different soil samples with a compaction energy of fixed
10
amount at well-known water content in a round and hollow cylinder of standard measurements.
The sample soil was compressed in a standard cylinder with 5 equivalent layers, each layer receives
56 number of blows from a specified height from a standard weighted hammer. This same
procedure was then performed on soil with different water contents and dry density were measured
for them. After getting all the results a compaction curve is drawn between dry density and water
content, from which the OMC was found, which should be the corresponding water content for
MDD in the curve.

3.3.3. One-Dimensional Swell or Collapse Test

One-Dimensional swell or collapse test was performed as per ASTM D 4546-14 standard
to determining the swell or compression in vertical direction of soils. This test was conducted using
three alternative method in which soil samples were loaded axially and restrained laterally in a
consolidometer with contact to free water. The tree alternative methods were explained as
following:
Method A: This method is -after-loading tests on multiple sp
Which can be used to measure wetting prompted swelling or collapsing over a predetermined
vertical stress. In this method the soil specimens are tested by applying fluctuating loads to get the
heave or collapse at various vertical stresses and to find the swelling pressure of soil specimen.
Method B: This method is -after-loading on a single
specim The sample is stacked to the overburden pressure similar to the in-situ pressure and
after that it is wetted. The vertical displacement was noted down and the swelling or collapse strain
is calculated.
Method C: This method is known as -after- After a specimen has
been exposed to wetting induced swelling or collapse the specimen was then stacked to definite
pressure that would recreate the in-situ expansion of a structure or fill material. To conduct
Method C, either Method A or B to be executed beforehand to accomplish the wetting initiated
strain. This test can be used to advance evaluations of heave, collapse or settlement for given
loading condition and final moisture content to determine relative swell, collapse or settlement
potential of soil.
In one-dimensional swell or collapse test, consolidometer with consolidation cell,
consolidation metal ring of 2.5 inch in diameter and 0.77 inch of height, two porous stones as
shown in Figure 3.2, two filter papers, stop watch, loading pad, dial gauge, knife, weighing scale
11
and measuring tape were used to conduct the experiment. The tests were performed as per
Method B.

Figure 3.2 Parts of Consolidometer

Test procedure of one-dimensional swell collapse test for soil was as following: The test
was performed by placing the soil specimen in a consolidation metal ring. Then metal ring was
filled with the soil sample using hands and the excess soil from topmost and bottommost edge of
the rings was trimmed using knife, to ensure that the outer part of the ring would not hold any soil
on it, then two porous stones were saturated by dipping in water and assembling the consolidometer
by placing its parts as shown in Figure 3.3.

12
 Figure 3.3 Schematic Diagram of Consolidometer Parts (Theconstructor.org [19])

After which the entire assembly was then mounted in the loading setting frame. The
Consolidometer was centered and the load was applied, which was going to act axially and a dial
gauge was placed on the loading frame in a way so that it allowed enough room for swelling and
compaction of sample as shown in Figure 3.4.

Figure 3.4 Consolidation Loading Frame Model no. 25-0402 from ELE International
13
 Once the assembling of consolidometre achieved a load of 1kg was applied after which
consolidometre cell was filled with water and the stop watch was started immediately to record
the changes in dial gauge at several intervals of time. The vertical displacement readings were
noted at 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 8, 15, 30 minutes, 1, 2, 4, 8, 24, 48, 72 hours. Henceforth readings were
collected up to 72 hours. The same procedure was performed for each group.

14
 CHAPTER 4

EXPERIMENT RESULTS

4 Limits Results
limits test on montmorillonite, it was found that it has LL 150%,
PL 67% and PI 83%, which were represented into Table 4.1.

Table 4.1 Results of Montmorillonite (Borsadiya [24])

Atterberg's limits Liquid limit Plastic limit Plasticity Index
Results (%) 150 67 83

4.2. Proctor Compaction Test for OMC and MDD

The outcomes for MDD and OMC were presented in Table 4.2 which show dry density at
diverse water content. From these test results, the MDD was 1.09 g/cm3 at 50% of water content
Therefore, OMC for montmorillonite was 50%. The graphical relationship between OMC and
MDD was shown in Figure 4.1.

MDD
Dry Density (gm/cm3)

OMC

Water content (%)

Figure 4.1 Graph between OMC and MDD (Borsadiya [24])

15
 Table 4.2 Compaction Characteristics of Montmorillonite (Borsadiya [24])
Water added in soil Mass Area Volume Wet Density Water Content Dry Density
(%) (g) (cm2) (cm3) (g/cm3) (%) (g/cm3)
35% 280 19.63 200 1.43 40 1.02
40% 300 19.63 200 1.53 43 1.07
45% 322 19.63 200 1.64 50 1.09
50% 330 19.63 200 1.68 60 1.05

4.3. One-Dimensional Swell or Collapse Test Results

One-Dimensional swell or collapse test was performed to determining the swelling
potential of cohesive soils. The results of experiment for all sample groups were explained below:
In group one, three samples with 100 gram of montmorillonite (pure clay) were prepared
by mixing it with 50 ml of water (i.e. 50% of total weight of sample). The results of all testes were
shown in Table 4.3 and in Figure 4.2. From the test result and graph we found that clay starts to
swell instantly after the test started.

Table 4.3 One-Dimensional Swell or Collapse Test Result of Sample Group 1

Time (min) Vertical Deformation (µm)

Test 1-1 Test 1-2 Test 1-3
0.5 10.00 0.00 0.00
1 15.00 0.00 0.00
2 20.00 10.00 15.00
4 40.00 15.00 25.00
8 70.00 17.00 50.00
15 105.00 20.00 42.50
30 170.00 40.00 75.00
60 275.00 70.00 180.00
120 420.00 130.00 350.00
180 550.00 180.00 520.00
240 655.00 260.00 570.00
480 1000.00 450.00 900.00
1440 1840.00 1230.00 1450.00
2880 2650.00 2185.00 2380.00
4320 3240.00 2960.00 3080.00

16
 Figure 4.2 One-Dimensional Swell or Collapse Test Results of Sample Group 1

In group two for swelling test on montmorillonite with cement, three samples were
prepared consisting of 90 grams and 10 grams of montmorillonite and cement respectively,
together with OMC of 50%. The results for Sample Group 2 were shown in Table 4.4 and in Figure
4.3. Comparing the results of Sample group 2 with Sample Group 1, the swelling of stabilized soil
sample (i.e. Sample Group 2) was less than of pure clay Sample group1. This change in the
swelling was due to the pozzolanic and cation exchange reactions when cement was added in soil.
As every expansive soil have a significant amount of calcium present in its chemical composition
but when OPC and water were added in expansive soil, the chemical reaction and hydration of
cement takes place and new minerals such as calcium hydroxide and calcium silicate hydrate
(CSH) gel were produced, which reduce the electric conductivity and calcium ions of soil, the soil
became more stronger and brittle. In addition to this there were also reduction in vertical
deformation of soil and reduction in the effect of diffuse double layer of expansive clay because
of the hydration of cement which was introduced in this stabilized soil-cement sample.

17
 Table 4.4 One-Dimensional Swell or Collapse Test Result of Sample Group 2

Time(min) Vertical Deformation (µm)

Test 2-1 Test 2-2 Test 2-3
0.5 0.00 0.00 0.00
1 0.00 0.00 2.50
2 4.50 2.50 7.50
4 6.50 5.00 12.00
8 12.00 9.00 22.50
15 19.00 17.50 32.00
30 29.50 27.50 43.00
60 41.00 37.50 51.00
120 51.00 49.00 62.00
180 62.00 58.00 70.00
240 68.50 65.00 78.00
480 91.00 86.00 95.00
1440 115.00 117.50 105.00
2880 127.00 123.00 110.00
4320 129.00 125.00 110.00

Figure 4.3 One-Dimensional Swell or Collapse Test Results of Sample Group 2

18
 In group three for swelling test on montmorillonite with cement and silica fume, three
samples were prepared consisting of 89 grams, 10 grams and 1 grams of montmorillonite, cement
silica fume respectively, together with OMC of 50%. The results of all testes for sample group 3
were shown in Table 4.5 and in Figure 4.4. By comparing the test results of group1 and 2 with
group 3, the swelling of stabilized soil sample with 10% cement and 1% silica fume (i.e. Sample
group 3) was less than Sample group1 and 2. This change in the swelling pressure was due to the
pozzolanic reactions when cement and silica fume were added in soil. As explain before due to
chemical reaction between soil and OPC, new minerals such as calcium hydroxide and CSH gel
were produced. Furthermore, the addition of silica fume with OPC in soil introduce a new
chemical reaction between calcium and calcium hydroxide with silicon dioxide present in silica
fume, which reduce further calcium ions , the electric conductivity and the effect of diffuse double
layer of soil as compare to sample group 2. Therefore, soil sample group 3 became more stable in
term of swelling as compare to sample group 2. There was also a presence of compression or
collapse in sample between time interval of 4 to 120 minutes, this was due to the void present in
soil sample were replaced by the finer particle of silica fume and the hydration of cement.

Table 4.5 One-Dimensional Swell or Collapse Test Result of Sample Group 3

Time (min) Vertical Deformation (µm)

Test 3-1 Test 3-2 Test 3-3
0.5 0.00 0.00 0.00
1 0.00 0.00 0.00
2 0.00 0.00 0.00
4 -2.50 0.00 -2.50
8 -4.00 -2.50 -4.00
15 -5.00 -2.50 -6.00
30 -7.50 -4.00 -8.00
60 -9.00 -5.00 -11.00
120 -12.00 -2.00 -13.00
180 -12.00 -2.00 -13.00
240 -12.00 0.00 -13.00
480 -7.50 7.50 -5.00
1440 18.00 35.00 30.00
2880 36.00 55.00 45.00
4320 42.50 60.00 50.00

19
 Figure 4.4 One-Dimensional Swell or Collapse Test Results of Sample Group 3

In group four for swelling test on montmorillonite with cement and silica fume, three
samples were prepared consisting of 80 grams, 10 grams and 10 grams of montmorillonite, cement,
silica fume respectively, together with OMC of 50%. The results of all testes for sample group 4
were shown in Table 4.6 and in Figure 4.5. As we discussed and seen the test results of sample
group 3 with 1% silica fume, the same results were found in sample group 4 but the differences
are instead of 89% of montmorillonite and 1% silica fume, we used 80% of montmorillonite and
10% of silica fume respectively in this group. Due to which the stabilized soil sample shows more
compression and less swelling in the test results as compare to the test results of sample group 3.
From this comparison we can say that with increase of silica fume percentage, the swelling of cay
decreases.

20
 Table 4.6 One-Dimensional Swell or Collapse Test Result of Sample Group 4

Time (min) Vertical Deformation (µm)

Test 4-1 Test 4-2 Test 4-3
0.5 0.00 0.00 0.00
1 0.00 0.00 0.00
2 0.00 0.00 0.00
4 -1.00 -1.00 -1.50
8 -2.50 -4.00 -3.00
15 -8.00 -7.00 -6.50
30 -10.00 -8.50 -9.00
60 -12.00 -8.50 -11.00
120 -12.00 -8.50 -11.00
180 -12.00 -9.00 -11.00
240 -10.00 -8.50 -9.50
480 -8.00 -5.00 -7.50
1400 -7.00 -4.50 -6.00
2880 -6.00 -4.30 -5.50
4320 -6.00 -4.30 -5.30

Figure 4.5 One-Dimensional Swell or Collapse Test Results of Sample Group 4

21
 CHAPTER 5

DISCUSSION

5.1. Characteristics of Montmorillonite

The montmorillonite used in this work has liquid limit 150%, plastic limit 67% and
liquid limit was more than 100 because
it swelling when exposed to moisture. Puppala et al. [18] concluded that if plasticity index of soil
is higher than 35, then it has very high swelling potential. Therefore, montmorillonite had very
high swelling potential.
The result of the modified proctor compaction testes on montmorillonite show that MDD
was 1.09 g/cm3 at the water content of 50%.

5.2 One-Dimensional Swell or Collapse Test Results

Figure 5.1 and 5.2 shows the comparison between the one-dimensional swell or collapse
test results of montmorillonite with and without stabilizing admixtures. The composition for
sample group 1, 2, 3 and 4 were shown in Table 3.1.

Figure 5.1 Graphical Comparison of One-Dimensional Swell or Collapse Test Results of all
Sample Group
22
Figure 5.2 Graphical Comparison of One-Dimensional Swell or Collapse Test Results of Sample
Group 2, 3 and 4

After stabilizing montmorillonite with 10% cement, the swelling of soil sample decreases
from 1507 to 113 min and from 3093 min, due to
which the decrease in swelling or vertical deformation were 93% and 96% after 1440 min and
4342 min, respectively. On the other hand, stabilizing montmorillonite with 10% cement and
1% silica fume the vertical deformation of soil was decreased from 1507 to 51
1440 min and from 3093 min and hence the decrease in vertical
deformation was 98% which was same after day1 and 3. Instead of 1% silica fume when we use
10% silica fume in soil sample with 10% cement the vertical deformation of soil was decreased
from 1507 to (- 5.20) min and from 3093 -5.83) min,
therefore the decrease in swelling or vertical deformation were 95% and 100% after 1440 min
4342 min respectively. The negative sign indicates that there was compression (collapse in vertical
deformation) in soil sample when we used silica fume. Table 5.1 shows the comparison between

23
different soil sample group, from which we can say that the swelling potential and vertical
deformation of soil decrease after the stabilizing the soil with cement and silica fume and it goes
on decreeing with increase in silica fume content.

Table 5.1 Comparison for Change in Swelling or Vertical Deformation

Decrease in swelling or vertical deformation in comparison with

(%)
Sample group 2 Sample group 3 Sample group 4
Soil sample
(10 % cement) (10% cement +1% SF) (10% cement +10% SF)
After After After After After After
1 day 3 day 1 day 3 day 1 day 3 day
Group 1 93 96 98 98 95 100
Group 2 - - 75 58 75 104
Group 3 - - - - 121 110

24
 CHAPTER 6

CONCLUSION

In this work, the effect of stabilization with silica fume and cement on swelling potential
of montmorillonite was examined and conclusion are as follows:

Montmorillonite was highly plastic and highly expansive when exposed to water. It had
volume change of 16% at 50% OMC, which was found from the one-dimensional swell test
results of sample group 1.
It was found that the soil sample group 1 (i.e. pure clay) and sample group 2 (pure clay and
cement) nkage while conducting
one-dimensional swell or collapse test.
The stabilized soil cement sample group two shows the decrease in swelling or vertical
deformation by 96% after three days in comparison with sample group one, which was due to
cement.
The swelling potential of montmorillonite decreased with increase in the percentage of silica
fume content from 1% to 10%. The vertical compression or collapse in soil sample was found
only when the soil was stabilized with silica fume. In the stabilized soil-cement- silica fume
sample the decrease in swelling or vertical deformation were 98% and 100% for 1% of silica
fume and 10% of silica fume, respectively, after three days.
The maximum drop in swelling was found in soil sample group 4 with 10% of silica fume.
These results show that stabilization with silica fume can significantly reduce swelling
potential of expansive clay, which indicates that silica fume was a promising stabilizing agent
when used together with cement.

25
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28
 VITA

Akash Ashok Tanshette currently perusing Master of Science in Civil Engineering from
Frank H. Dotterweich College of Engineering at Texas A&M University, Kingsville-TX, USA.
He also has obtained his Bachelor of Technology degree in Civil Engineering from G.S.
Mandal's Maharashtra Institute of Technology, Aurangabad, Maharashtra, India, in August,
2015.

29