Soil stabilization using Glass fiber powder and Silica fume in the presence of Sodium Silicate as binder

Abstract

Soil stabilization constitutes an innovative means of improving strengths of either subsoil layers before laying any structure on it, or loose materials which are used for brick making. In this study, attempt was made to improve the engineering properties of a landslide affected soil, using silica fume, sodium silicate and glass fiber powder as stabilizers. The stabilizers were added singly or combined at a proportion of 1%,2%, 3%, 4%, and 5%. Properties such as California bearing ratio (CBR), shear strength, and unconfined compressive strength of the soils were determined with the addition of stabilizers in various combinations. From the results, physical and engineering properties of the affected soil were improved by using various combinations as mentioned above. The study showed that either of Silica Fume or sodium silicate or glass fiber powder or their combination could improve the geotechnical properties of landslide affected soil.