Case Study: Use of Geopolymers to Evaluate the Swell-Shrink Behavior of Native Clay in North Texas
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2019 American Society of Civil Engineers. This paper presents the results of a study conducted on expansive soil using alumino-silicate binders known as geopolymers. As part of the study, an experimental program was developed to characterize the native soil obtained from North Texas. A metakaolin-based geopolymer was synthesized using potassium hydroxide as the alkali-activator. The soil was treated with a pre-determined dosage of geopolymer and tested for swell-shrink behavior, using one-dimensional swell, and linear shrinkage bar tests. Results show significant reduction in swelling, shrinkage, and plasticity characteristics. These outcomes indicate that geopolymer stabilized materials are beneficial in mitigating volume-change behavior of expansive soils, and should be further evaluated as an effective soil stabilizer for the efficient design of sustainable and distress-free infrastructure for problematic soil conditions.