A LABORATORY STUDY ON THE INFLUENCE OF LIME KLIN DUST ON THE GEOTECHNICAL PROPERTIES OF KAREWA SOIL

Abstract

The use of commercially available pozzolanic materials such as cement and lime for soil stabilization is declining due to their environmentally unfriendly nature. This has prompted researchers to look for alternatives. This study aims to evalu- ate the potential of lime kiln dust (LKD) in enhancing the geotechnical properties of a silty soil. A detailed experimental program was conducted, in which varying percentages of LKD (5%, 10%, 15%, and 20% by dry weight of soil) were added to examine its effects on geomechanical properties. Unconfined compressive strength (UCS) tests were carried out after curing the samples for 7, 14, and 28 days to assess strength improvements. The results indicated an increase in strength characteristics, reduced strain at failure, and a shift towards more brittle behav- ior in the LKD-treated samples. Strength improvement was observed up to 15% addition of LKD, beyond which a decrease in strength was noted. Furthermore, strength increased with curing time, irrespective of the LKD concentration in the soil. The strength gain is attributed to the formation of cementitious products due to hydration and pozzolanic reactions between the calcium oxide (CaO) in LKD and the oxides in silty soil. Utilizing LKD in the construction sector offers two benefits: reducing environmental degradation from its disposal and providing a cost-effective method for soil improvement.