Effect of cement on treatment of a clay soil contaminated with glycerol

Abstract

An investigation into the behavior of a contaminated clay soil and its treatment was carried out through a program of experimental tests. The contaminated soil samples were prepared with different percentages (3, 6, and 9%) of a glycerol solution with 40% concentration. The samples were prepared as mixtures of clean or glycerol-contaminated soil with different cement contents (3, 6, and 9%). Atterberg limits and unconfined compressive strength (UCS) tests were conducted on the samples. The results showed that Atterberg limits are reduced by adding glycerol or cement or adding glycerol to soil-cement. Both the strength and stiffness of the contaminated soil are reduced by increasing the degree of contamination. The results of treated soil showed that adding cement to contaminated soil increases the strength and the amount of increase in strength is dependent on the percent of cement, curing time and degree of contamination. Based on scanning electron microscopy analysis, it was found that the presence of glycerol prevents the interaction between soil and cement.