Soil Stabilizers Engineering Research Paper Coursework (Research Paper Sample)

WASTE MATERIALS AS SOIL STABILISERS
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Waste Materials as Soil Stabilisers
Soil is the fundamental construction material owing to the various roles it plays such as providing the foundation for structures. As such, it is essential for the soil to have certain engineering properties which make it more suited to its functions in construction. Some of the most critical characteristics include durability, strength and bearing capacity. Since most of these properties are not readily available, engineers often resort to other ways of improving them through a process called soil stabilization. According to Sabat and Pati (2014, 6251), soil stabilization is the process of improving the geotechnical properties of soil by addition of mixtures or compaction. In most cases, civil engineers advocate for the usage of natural waste such as gypsum and fly ash. Once the soil has been stabilized, it becomes more valuable to any construction process by increasing its usability.
Soil stabilization is carried out with the primary aim of making the soil more tolerable to pressure as well as inducing durability (James & Pandian, 2016, 2). Waste materials are used as the main additives to cause some short-term and long-term reactions in the soil which ultimately boost its compressibility and strength. For instance, the addition of lime to clay soil triggers carbonation and ion exchange which results in the replacement of cations. As these reactions take place, the chemical composition of soil is altered, making it stronger to withstand heavier loads. Additionally, clay soil can also be stabilized by additives such as plastic, fiber, and lime which equally cause some reactions culminating in the formation of Calcium Silicate Hydrate (CSH) which forms a dense coating on the soil particles. This covering improves bonding in the soil structure, making it more durable.