Geotech Geol Eng
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10706-018-0515-x
ORIGINAL PAPER
Improvement of Clayey Soil with Lime and Industrial
Sludge
R. Noorzad . S. Motevalian
Received: 12 August 2015 / Accepted: 9 March 2018
Ó Springer International Publishing AG, part of Springer Nature 2018
Abstract Industrial waste generation has reached up
to millions of tons yearly. One way to solve the
problems of the large accumulating amount of waste
could be to incorporate it into the soil; thus, finding a
way for the use of industrial waste could be a quest for
soil improvement studies. Industrial sludge in certain
pozzolanic form reacts with soil and possesses
cementitious properties. This paper illustrates the
utilization of lime, steel and copper sludge in
improvement of high plasticity clayey soil. The
influence of stabilizer type, different curing times
and various ratios of lime to sludge are evaluated by
Atterberg limits, standard proctor compaction, uncon-
fined compressive strength and unconsolidated
undrained strength in triaxial test. The test results
show that adding lime and sludge results in an increase
in maximum strength. Moreover, the strength of soil
increases with the increase of curing time. Utilizing
stabilizers also influences plasticity index and com-
paction parameters. Finally, the results demonstrate
that steel sludge has better performance than that of
copper sludge in term of strength development.
R. Noorzad (&)
S. Motevalian
Faculty of Civil Engineering, Babol Noshirvani
University of Technology, Babol, Iran
e-mail: rn0864@gmail.com
S. Motevalian
e-mail: sara_cl67@yahoo.com
Keywords Clayey soil
Improvement
Lime

Copper sludge
Steel sludge
1 Introduction
The growth of industry and industrial productions has
led to the production and accumulation of industrial
wastes (Brooks et al. 2011). In recent years, many
attempts have been reported by researchers in different
fields to solve biological and environmental problems
originating from accumulation of industrial wastes
(Kamon and Nontananandh 1990; Wild and Kinuthia
1995; Al-Sharif and Attom 2000; Kamon and Gu
2001; Yin et al. 2007; Degirmanci et al. 2007; Lin and
Zhu 2009: Okoro and Vogtman 2011; Khandaker and
Anwar Hossain 2011; Brooks et al. 2011). Metallic
sludge that is usually produced in large amount is
considered as industrial waste. Sludge is usually piled
adjacent to factories and in open air in bulk form
(Kamon and Nontananandh 1990). This can cause
serious biological and environmental problems
(Brooks et al. 2011). Additionally, potentially valu-
able components of the sludge composition are lost in
the process. From a geotechnical engineering view-
point, sludge can be used for stabilization or improv-
ing soil engineering properties (Kamon and Gu 2001).
One of the broadest approaches for stabilization of soil
is cement or chemical stabilization, in which the soil is
mixed with cementitious materials such as cement,
123

lime, fly ash, sludge, etc. (Kamon and Nontananandh
1990; Wild and Kinuthia 1995; Al-Sharif and Attom
2000; Kamon and Gu 2001; Al-Rawas et al. 2005;
Guney et al. 2007; Yong and Ouhadi 2007; Yilmaz and
Civelekoglu 2009; Okoro and Vogtman 2011; Al-
Mukhtar and Lasledj 2014; Ajdari and Bahmyari
2015). In the presence of water and through chemical
reactions, soil engineering properties is improved
(Kamon and Gu 2001). Many studies for probing and
analyzing the chemical stabilization of soil have been
accomplished in recent years (Kamon and Non-
tananandh 1990; Wild and Kinuthia 1995; Al-Sharif
and Attom 2000; Kamon and Gu 2001; Okoro and
Vogtman 2011). Kamon and Nontananandh (1990)
used cement and stainless-steel sludge to improve the
unconfined compressive strength of soil. According to
the research, adding stainlesssteel sludge to the
mixture of soil and cement and also the increase of
curing time increased the unconfined compressive
strength of the soil. Al-Sharif and Attom (2000)
employed burned sludge to stabilize clayey soil, and
concluded that by adding the burned sludge to the
optimum value, the unconfined compressive strength
and the maximum dry unit weight increased and the
soil plasticity index decreased. Lin and Zhu (2009)
demonstrated that cement and calcium bentonite can
increase considerably the unconfined compressive
strength of soil. Also, they concluded that with
increasing the curing time, unconfined compressive
strength of the soil increased. Du et al. (2011)
compared the effect of calcium carbide residuals and
lime on the unconfined compressive strength of clayey
soil, and found that calcium carbide was more
effective than samples containing lime. The results
also demonstrated that the soils containing calcium
carbide showed better performance in increase of
unconfined compressive strength compared to stabi-
lized soils with lime. Khandaker and Anwar Hossain
(2011) used rice husk ash and cement kiln dust to
improve clayey soil and concluded that stabilized soil
have shown satisfactory strength and durability char-
acteristics. Brooks et al. (2011) employed fly ash and
limestone dust to stabilize some problematic soils. The
results of the study showed that unconfined compres-
sive strength and California Bearing Ratio of the
stabilized soil increased and plasticity index of the soil
decreased. Aldaood et al. (2014) used lime and
gypsum to improve the behavior of soil. They studied
mechanical strength and swelling potential of soil and
123
Geotech Geol Eng
concluded that the unconfined compressive strength of
soil increased with increasing curing temperature.
Moreover, the swelling potential increased with
increasing curing time and decreased with increasing
curing temperature.
The aforementioned studies have shown that there
are technological, economical and environmental
advantages in using the industrial by-products in soil
stabilization but a few studies have accomplished to
present effects of industrial sludge in soil improve-
ment. Using of industrial sludge and waste guide to
low-cost soil improvement. Hence, the present study
was undertaken to investigate the effects of industrial
sludge such as steel and copper sludge on the
geotechnical properties of high plasticity clayey soil.
These effects checked out by Atterberg limits, com-
paction, unconfined compressive strength and uncon-
solidated undrained triaxial tests.
2 Experimental Program
2.1 Materials
The soil used herein was clayey soil obtained from
Amol, a city in the north of Iran. The soil that used for
preparing samples was collected in depth of 0.5
(m) from ground surface. The surface layer of ground
equal to 0.5 (m) removed and then the required soil
was provided. Physical properties and grain size
distribution curve of the soil are presented respectively
in Table 1 and Fig. 1. Both wet sieving and hydrom-
eter method were conducted for grain size distribution
curve (ASTM D 422-63). All geotechnical tests were
performed in according to American Standard Test
Method.
The copper sludge (CS), steel sludge (SS) (is a by-
producted from copper and steel industry) and lime
used in this investigation were supplied by local
companies. The specific gravity of CS, SS and lime
were 3.22, 3.17 and 2.3, respectively.
2.2 Testing Procedures and Combination
Schemes
In this study in order to investigate the effects of
mixture of lime and sludge as stabilizer, first the
optimum content of lime for the clayey soil was
obtained based on unconfined compressive strength
Geotech Geol Eng
Table 1 Classification and physical properties of soil
Type of soil Liquid limit
CH 54
100
Percent finer by weight (%)
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0 The materials (soil, lime and sludge) passed through
0.001 0.01
Particle diameter (mm)
Fig. 1 Grain size distribution for clay
method. For this intent, samples containing 4, 6, 8, 10
and 12% (by dry weight) of lime were prepared. All
tested specimens were prepared with the static com-
paction method at optimum moisture content and 95%
of maximum dry unit weight. The maximum uncon-
fined compressive strength of samples for 28 days
curing was compared and the optimum content of lime
was determined as 10%. The optimum lime content
was then replaced with various contents of steel and
copper sludge (lime/sludge: 40/60, 60/40, 80/20,
90/10 and 10% lime) and the physical and engineering
properties of the mixture were determined by means of
the Atterberg limits (ASTM D 431810), standard
proctor compaction (ASTM D 698-07el), unconfined
compressive strength (ASTM D 2166) and unconsol-
idated undrained triaxial (ASTM D 2850-03a) test.
Both the unconfined compressive strength and uncon-
solidated undrained strength test were determined on
a hydrolic mashin under the strain-control condition at
the loading speed of 0.6 mm/min and 3 confining
pressures of 600, 800 and 1000 (kPa) for unconsoli-
dated undrained triaxial tests. When water entered in
the cell, samples remain under the confining pressure
for at least 45 min. The loading speed of 1.2 mm/min
was considered for unconfined compressive strength
tests. Loading was continued until the load valued
decreased with increase of strain for unconfined
compressive strength test and until 15% strain was
reached for unconsolidated undrained strength test.
Plastic limit Plasticity index Gs Optimum moisture content (%) Maximum dry unit
weight (g/cm3)
25 29 2.7 21.33 1.63
The test results were used to established optimum ratio
of lime to sludge for various goal for example
increasing strength, increasing maximum dry unit
weight and decreasing plasticity index.
2.3 Sample Preparation
0.1 1
the N0. 40 sieve for all test specimens. Initially, oven-
dried soil and lime were mixed together for at least
10 min. Then, the oven-dried sludge (CS and SS) was
mixed with the mixture of soil and lime for at least
5 min and the mixture was subsequently put into
plastic bags, where the mixing was continued by
shaking and over turning the bag for at least 5 min.
Finally, the optimum moisture content was added to
the mixture and was mixed for at least 20 min.
Specimens were prepared with the static compaction
method at the optimum moisture content and 95% of
the maximum dry unit weight. The soil mixture was
placed in the mold as five layers. At the end of
compaction of each layer, for a better bonding of
layers, the surface of layer was scratched and next
layer was compacted. The process of compaction of
the soil mixture in the mold was 15 min for all test
samples. Because of brittle behavior of the soil
mixture, samples were prepared in triplex mold. The
optimum moisture content and maximum dry unit
weight of the soil mixed with different percentage of
lime and sludge were determined by standard com-
paction test (Tables 3 and 4). Specimens were
demolded 3 min after compaction and stored in a
curing room (maintained at 25 ± 2 °C and 95 ± 2%
RH) and wrapped in two plastic bags until testing at 15
and 28 days for unconsolidated undrained triaxial tests
and 3, 7, 15 and 28 days for unconfined compressive
strength. Compaction and Atterberg limits test were
carried out immediately after mixing the soil and
stabilizers. Distilled water is used for preparing all the
specimens.
123
 Geotech Geol Eng

Cylindrical specimens (with 38-mm-diameter and
76-mm-height) were used for unconsolidated
undrained triaxial test and unconfined compressive
strength test. Three specimens were made for each
type of test. Two specimens were used for tests,
providing difference in tests result, third specimen was
used.
3 Results and Discussion
3.1 Effects of Stabilizer on Atterberg Limits
The effects of lime and the mixture of lime and steel
sludge on the Atterberg limits of the soil are presented
in Table 2. The effect of copper sludge on Atterberg
limits was similar to steel sludge and here, only the
results of steel sludge on Atterberg limits are pre-
sented. It is clear from Table 2 that adding stabilizers
to the soil decreased the liquid limit and plasticity
index and increased the plastic limit; however, with
increase of the ratio of lime to sludge from 40
60 to 100 to
0 (10% lime) decreased the plasticity index, liquid
limit and plastic limit. Moreover, decreasing the lime
content and increasing the sludge content resulted in
increasing the Atterberg limits. Maximum and mini-
mum reduction in the plasticity index (PI) of the soil
occurred at the mixture of soil with 10% lime and at
the ratio of lime to sludge (40
60) respectively. These
observations can be attributed to two underlying
mechanisms, namely cation exchange and soil addi-
tive pozzolanic reaction. Adding lime to the soil
causes cation exchange that leads to flocculation, and
results in a decrease in double layer thickness, so
liquid limit and plastic limit reduce. Double layer
thickness decreases more with increase of lime content
and consequently the liquid limit and plastic limit
decrease as well (Degirmanci et al. 2007; Brooks et al.
2011).
The second mechanism that reduces the plasticity
index of the soil is pozzolanic reaction between soil
and stabilizer, which forms cementitious compounds
that bind soil particles together and fill the void
between soil particles and thus reduce the plasticity
index of the soil (Brooks et al. 2011). Adding 10%
lime to the soil decreased plasticity index from 29 to 3.
More reduction in plasticity in the mixture of soil and
lime compared to the state that sludge was used as
stabilizer too, can be attributed to more short time
reaction and more reduction in double layer thickness.
3.2 Effects of Stabilizers on Compaction
Parameters
The variation of dry density with increase of moisture
content for different ratios of lime to copper sludge is
shown in Fig. 2. The changes in maximum dry density
and optimum moisture content at the various ratios of
lime to copper and steel sludge are presented respec-
tively in Tables 3 and 4. As distinguished in Fig. 2, in
mixture of soil and 10% lime the maximum dry
density of the soil decreased from 1.63 to 1.5 and
optimum moisture content increased from 21.33 to
25.92. With increase of ratio of lime to sludge from 40
60
to 100 to 0 (10% lime), maximum dry density
decreased. The decrease of the maximum dry density
can be justified by two reasons. First, because of
lighter specific gravity (Gs) of the lime compared to
the solid particles of soil, replacing a part of the soil
with lime in the compaction mold, results in a decrease

1.65
Table 2 Effect of ratio of lime to s-sludge on Atterberg limits 90/10-CS
  80/20-CS
LL PL PI 1.6
Ratio s lime 60/40-CS
Dry density (qr/cm )

sludge 40/60-CS
1.55 100/0
100 40 37 3 clay
0 = 10%lime 1.5
90 44 40 4
10 = 90ss
1.45
80 45 40 5
20 = 80ss
60 47 41 6 1.4
40 = 60ss
40 49 43 6 1.35
60 = 40ss 15 17 19 21 23 25 27 29 31 33
0 54 25 29
0 = clay Moisture content (%)

Fig. 2 Variation of dry density with moisture content

123
Geotech Geol Eng

Table 3 Compaction  
Ratio lime Maximum dry density (g/cm3) Optimum moisture content (%)
parameters for admixture of c sludge
soil, lime and copper sludge
100 1.5 25.92
0 = 10%lime
90 1.49 25
10 = 90cs
80 1.54 24.5
20 = 80cs
60 1.58 24
40 = 60cs
40 1.61 24
60 = 40cs
0 1.63 21.33
0 = clay

Table 4 Compaction  
Ratio lime Maximum dry density (g/cm3) Optimum moisture content (%)
parameters for admixture of s sludge
soil, lime and steel sludge
100 1.5 25.92
0 = 10%lime
90 1.48 25
10 = 90ss
80 1.52 24.5
20 = 80ss
60 1.54 24
40 = 60ss
40 1.6 24
60 = 40ss
0 1.63 21.33
0 = clay

in the maximum dry unit weight (Khandaker and
Anwar Hossain 2011). In addition, as reported by
Brooks et al. (2011), due to cationic exchange reaction
and the integration of soil structure, the void between
soil particles increases; consequently, the maximum
dry unit weight decreases. The increase of optimum
moisture content is due to lime hydration and
additional water is needed (Khandaker and Anwar
Hossain 2011; Du et al. 2011). Also, as shown in
Fig. 2, maximum dry density increases from 1.5 to
1.61 with decrease of ratio of lime to sludge from 100
to 0 (10% lime) to 40 60 compared to the mixture of soil
and 10% lime (except at a ratio of lime to sludge equal
to 90 to 10). Meanwhile, optimum moisture content
decreases slightly from 25.92 to 24. As the amount of
lime that is replaced with sludge increases, the
increase of maximum dry unit weight and the decrease
of optimum moisture content are amplified. The
sludge has higher Gs compared to lime, therefore
replacing a part of lime with sludge in a compaction
mold, results in an increase in the maximum dry
density. The slight reduction in optimum moisture
content with decreasing ratio of lime to sludge is due
to the fact that the sludge is a pozzolanic material; thus
in the presence of water at short time, chemical
reaction is insignificant, but the lime immediately
begins to react in the presence of water. Compaction
test on the mixture of soil and stabilizers was done
right after adding water to it, so pozzolanic materials
do not have sufficient time for chemical reaction
(Kolawole 1988).
According to the results, replacing a portion of lime
with sludge resulted in increasing the maximum dry
density compared to the mixture of soil and 10% lime
and with increase of sludge content, maximum dry
density increased. But at the ratio of lime to sludge
equal to 90 to 10, a slight decrease of the maximum dry
density is observed. This behavior is due to the fact
that the compaction parameters of soil depend on the
grain size distribution and also on the specific gravity
(Gs) of soil and stabilizers; consequently, with
replacing the optimum lime content with sludge that
has a higher Gs compared to soil and lime, the
maximum dry density increases. However, stabilizers
initially cover the soil particles by coating the surface,
resulting in larger grains. As a result, these grains fill
more spaces and the void spaces between grains
increases, thereby decreasing the maximum dry unit
weight to a point where these void spaces are
compensated and the maximum dry unit weight
increases thereafter. Only stabilizers with high Gs
are able to create these effects (Khandaker and Anwar
Hossain 2011).

123

3.3 Effects of Stabilizer on Unconfined
Compressive Strength
The influence of various ratios of lime to steel and
copper sludge and curing time on the unconfined
compressive strength of the soil, is presented in Figs. 3
and 4. In these figures, it can be seen that the
unconfined compressive strength (UCS) of the soil
increased considerably with adding lime and the
mixture of lime and sludge to the soil. Also, with the
increase of curing time, the unconfined compressive
strength of the samples is increased. Corresponding to
Fig. 3, the increase of unconfined compressive
strength at the ratios of lime to steel sludge equal to
90 to 10 and 40 to 60 were maximum and minimum,
respectively. Since at the ratio of lime to sludge equal
to 40 to 60, the unconfined compressive strength of
soil was less compared to the mixture of soil and 10%
lime. It can be inferred that at this ratio, replacing a
portion of optimum lime content with sludge does not
have beneficial effects on increase of the soil strength.
The effects of copper sludge content and curing time
on the maximum unconfined strength is shown in
Fig. 4.
The behavior of samples containing copper sludge
was similar to samples containing steel sludge. The
difference is that the maximum strength occurred at
the ratio of lime to sludge equal to 80 to 20 for copper
sludge. With respect to the results of Figs. 3 and 4, it
can be concluded that the steel sludge was more
effective on increase of the strength of soil compared
to copper sludge.
In Table 5, the results of unconfined compressive
strength test for various ratios of lime to sludge and
various curing time are presented.
Maximum unconfined compressive
2500
2000
strength(kPa)
1500
1000
500
0 replacing the lime with the sludge produce more
3 8 13 18
Curing me (day)
Fig. 3 Influence of lime, s-sludge and curing time on uncon-
fined strength
123
Geotech Geol Eng
2500
compressive strength(kPa)
Maximum unconfined
2000
1500
1000
90/10-CS
80/20-CS
500 60/40-CS
40/60-CS
0
3 8 13 18 23 28 33
Curing me (day)
Fig. 4 Influence of lime, c-sludge and curing time on
unconfined strength
As shown in the Figs. 3 and 4, the unconfined
compressive strength of soil increased with increasing
ratio of lime to sludge and curing time. The improve-
ment in strength was greater at certain ratios. This
behavior is attributed to the chemical reactions
between soil and stabilizers that occur in the presence
of water and produce cementitious materials that bind
the grains of soil, fill the void between soil particles
and cause the improvement of strength (Kamon and
Nontananandh 1990; Yin et al. 2007; Brooks et al.
2011). Three fundamental reactions in soil stabiliza-
tion are cation exchange, flocculating and pozzolanic
reaction. Cation exchange and flocculating are short
time reaction and pozzolanic reaction is long time.
With increase of curing time more pozzolanic reaction
takes place and lead to increase of the strength.
Perusing microstructure of stabilized soil showed that
the void between soil particles which was obvious
without curing time was filled with cementitous gel the
void was not remarkable (Kamon and Gu 2001). e.g.
The UCS of the sample at the ratio of lime/sludge =
80/20 increased from 1052.85 (kPa) to 2193.77 (kPa)
for copper sludge and from 986.85 to 2097.77 (kPa)
for steel sludge with increase of curing time. Accord-
ing to Table 5, when the combination of lime and
sludge used as a stabilizer, increase of the UCS is more
compared to the samples that stabilized only with
lime. E.g the UCS increased from 1630.63 to 2262.6
(kPa) with replacing a portion of lime with the sludge
90/10-SS
(lime/sludge = 90/10 and 28 day curing).
80/20-SS Copper and steel sludge are pozzolanic materials
60/40-SS
40/60-SS
100/0
that have higher reaction rate compared to the lime, so
23 28 33
pozzolanic reaction and lead to increase of the
strength. However, at the optimum ratio of lime to
sludge, chemical reactions occurs so effectively
Geotech Geol Eng

Table 5 Unconfined Serial number Soil mix Unconfined compressive strength

compressive strength for
various ratios of lime to 3 7 15 28
sludge
1 Clay* 274.5 – – –
2 10%lime 935.65 1056.85 1510.91 1630.62
3 90ss 1060.81 1295.95 1986.62 2262.6
4 80ss 986.85 1202.94 1796.43 2097.77
5 60ss 950.32 1072.92 1655.61 1996.54
6 40ss 910.16 1005.45 1316.35 1498.65
7 90cs 995.63 1200.26 1697.78 2078.93
8 80cs 1052.85 1282.31 1912.1 2193.77
*The value was obtained 9 60cs 940.64 1095.2 1562.63 1989.63
without curing of specimens 10 40cs 890.43 950.32 1206.74 1372.57
before testing

between the stabilizer and soil that all amount of lime 5000
90/10-28-800 80/20-28-800
and sludge take place in the reaction and the magni- 60/40-28-800 40/60-28-800
4000
tude of residual lime and sludge is the lowest, thereby 100/0-28-800 0/0-800

produce larger quantities of cementitious gel, leading Deviatoric stress (kPa) 3000
to greater increase in the strength (lime/c-sludge = 80/
20 and lime/s-sludge = 90/10) (Kamon and Non- 2000
tananandh 1990; Brooks et al. 2011).
1000

3.4 Effects of Stabilizer on Unconsolidated

0
Undrained Shear Strength 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16
Strain (%)

A series of unconsolidated undrained triaxial tests

were conducted on samples containing lime and the
mixture of lime and sludge cured for 15 and 28 days.
Figures 5 and 6 show the stress–strain curve of
samples that cured for 28 days with various replace-
ment ratios of lime to sludge. It is clear from the
figures that the maximum deviatoric stress increased
when the combination of lime and sludge used as a
stabilizer (except lime/sludge = 40/60). For example
5000
90/10-28-800
60/40-28-800
4000
Deviatoric stress (kPa)
Fig. 6 Stress-Strain curve for various ratios of c-sludge at
confining pressure 800 (kPa) after 28 days curing
maximum deviatoric stress increased from 1020.4 to
3000.64 (kPa) and 3165.85 (kPa) for s-sludge and
c-sludge respectively (r3 = 800 (kPa) and for 28 days
curing time). In other word sludge accelerated the
reaction rate and many chemical products produced in
the soil. At the ratio of lime/sludge equal to 80/20 and
90/10 for copper and steel sludge, increase of the
strength was more. The effects of various factors such
80/20-28-800
100/0-28-800 as ratio of lime to sludge, curing time and type of

40/60-28-800 0/0-800 stabilizer on the maximum deviatoric stress are shown

3000 in Figs. 7, 8 and 9.
As is evident from Figs. 7, 8 and 9, the maximum
2000
strength was achieved at the ratio of lime to steel
1000
sludge equal to 90 to 10 and 80 to 20 for steel and
copper sludge respectively. Table 6 presents the
0 maximum deviatoric stress for 15 and 28 days curing
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16
Strain (%)
time at the various ratios of lime to sludge.
The value of cohesion and the angle of internal
Fig. 5 Stress–strain curve for various ratios of s-sludge at friction for various ratios of lime to sludge after 15 and
confining pressure 800 (kPa) after 28 days curing

123
 Geotech Geol Eng

respectively. The increase of strength can be attributed

Maximum deviatoric stress (kPa)
4000
3500 to increasing cohesion and angle of internal friction
3000 that leads to improvement of mechanical behavior
2500 (Howard 1962; Yi and Bin 2006; Ghosh and Subbaro
2000 2007). The increase of cohesion attributed to the
ss-600 production of cementitious materials that fill the void
1500
ss-800
1000 between soil particles and strengthen the bond of
ss-1000
500 particles. According to the result of Atterberg limits
0 tests and observing of the mixed soil with lime and
0 20 40 60 80 100 120
sludge, plasticity of the soil reduced and the cemen-
Ratio of lime to s-sludge(40=40ss)
tation of materials will lead to granular structure of
Fig. 7 Effect of ratio of lime to s-sludge on maximum clayey particles and improved the strength of soil in a
deviatoric stress after 28 days curing way which angle of internal friction increased (Ka-
mon and Gu 2001).
4000
Maximum deviatoric stress (kPa)

3500
3000 4 Conclusion
2500
2000 The effects of lime, copper and steel sludge on the
1500
cs-600 Atterberg limits, compaction parameters, unconfined
1000 cs-800 compressive strength and shear strength parameters of
500 cs-1000
clayey soil were studied. It is concluded from the test
0
0 20 40 60 80 100 120 results that the adding lime and the mixture of lime and
Ratio of lime to c-sludge(40=40ss) sludge cause considerable changes in the engineering
properties of the soil. Results showed that the engi-
Fig. 8 Effect of ratio of lime to c-sludge on maximum
deviatoric stress after 28 days curing neering properties of stabilized soil depend on various
factors such as lime and sludge content, curing time
3500 and type of sludge. It was shown from the test results
Maximum deviatoric stress (kPa)

3000
2500
2000
1500
1000
500
0 mixture of soil and 10% lime, but at the ratio of lime to
0 20 40
Ratio of lime to sludge (40=40ss , 40=40cs)
Fig. 9 Effect of type of sludge and curing time and on
maximum deviatoric stress at confining pressure 800 (kPa)
28 days curing time are presented in Table 7. It is
clear that adding lime or combination of lime and
sludge as stabilizer, increases cohesion and angle of
internal friction of the soil.
Considering the figures and tables that were
presented, the maximum strength for 28 days curing
time occurs at the ratio of lime to sludge equal to 90 to
10 and 80 to 20 for steel and copper sludge,
that adding stabilizer reduced the plasticity index,
increased the optimum moisture content and
decreased the maximum dry density of the soil. It
was observed that the strength of stabilized soil
ss-28-800
increases with increasing the curing time. At the ratio
cs-28-800
of lime to sludge equal to 90/10, 80/20 and 60/40, the
ss-15-800
cs-15-800 increase in the strength was greater compared to the
60 80 100 120
sludge equal to 40/60, the increase in the strength was
less than the ratio of lime to sludge equal to 100/0. The
maximum gain in unconfined compressive strength
was accomplished at the ratio of lime to sludge equal
to 90/10 for steel sludge and 80/20 for copper sludge.
Similar results were obtained for the shear strength
parameters of the soil. The maximum cohesion and
angle of internal friction was accomplished at the ratio
of lime to sludge equal to 90/10 for steel sludge and
80/20 for copper sludge after 28 days.

123
Geotech Geol Eng

Table 6 Maximum deviatoric stress at various ratios and confining pressure (r3) at different curing time
Soil mix 15 day 28 day
r3 = 600 (kPa) r3 = 800 (kPa) r3 = 1000 (kPa) r3 = 600 (kPa) r3 = 800 (kPa) r3 = 1000 (kPa)

Clay* 524.48 540.52 554.22 – – –

10%lime 717.4 802 902.68 895.1 1020.4 1127.9
90ss 1213.64 1413.43 1555.72 2900.9 3306.64 3680.38
80ss 1150.25 1341.36 1480.45 2630.9 3000.64 3355.92
60ss 1059.65 1216.16 1388.1 2311.22 2626.24 2961.16
40ss 680.21 785 886.1 837.92 932.75 1052.68
90cs 1115.78 1283.62 1436.87 2530.22 2910.68 3237.92
80cs 1150.32 1340.5 1483.51 2751.78 3165.58 3504.94
60cs 1010.95 1140.36 1300.92 2242.22 2581.4 2879.94
40cs 675.84 760.4 850.84 1275.84 1560.4 1850.84
*The value was obtained without curing of specimens before testing

Table 7 Cohesion and angle of internal friction tested at potential of expansive soil from Oman. Build Environ
curing time of 28 and 15 days 40:681–687
Al-Sharif M, Attom M (2000) The use of burned sludge as a new
Soil mix 15 day 28 day soil stabilization. In: ASCE environmental and pipline
engineering, pp 378–388
C (kPa) U (°) C (kPa) U (°)
Brooks R et al (2011) Geotechnical properties of problem soils
stabilized with fly ash and limestone dust in Philadelphia.
Clay* 231 2 –
J Mater Civ Eng 23(2):711–720
10% lime 330 19.7 372.6 21.7 Degirmanci N, Okucu A, Turabi A (2007) Application of
90ss 424.6 27.3 504.3 29.6 phosphygypsum in soil stabilization. Build Environ
80ss 404.9 26.7 458.8 28.36 24(9):3393–3398
Du YJ, Zhang YY, Liu SY (2011) Investigation of strength and
60ss 374.5 25.7 410.8 26.7 california bearing ratio properties of natural soil treated by
40ss 314 18.66 354.5 20.4 calcium carbide residue. In: Geo-frontiers, pp 1237–1244
90cs 393 26.1 443 28 Ghosh A, Subbaro C (2007) Strength characteristics of class F
80cs 401.3 27 480.2 29 fly ash modified with lime and gypsum. J Geotech
Geoenviron Eng 133:757–766
60cs 363.5 24.8 400 26.1 Guney Y, Dursun S, Cetin M, Tuncan M (2007) Impact of cyclic
40cs 300.6 17.4 344.8 19.26 wetting-drying on swelling behavior of lime-stabilized
soil. Build Environ 42:681–688
*The value was obtained without curing of specimens before Howard C (1962) The use of lime—soil stabilization as a con-
testing struction expendient. For the Degree of Doctor Philosophy
in Civil Engineering. University of Illinois
Kamon M, Gu H (2001) Improvement of mechanical properties
of ferrum lime stabilized soil with the addition of alu-
References minum sludge. Soil Found 7(1):47–53
Kamon M, Nontananandh S (1990) Contribution of stainless-
steel slag to the development of strength for seabed hedoro.
Ajdari M, Bahmyari H (2015) Oedometric response of an arti-
Soil Found 30(4):63–72
ficially prepared sand-bentonit mixture improved by
Khandaker M, Anwar Hossain M (2011) Stabilized soils
potassium silicate. Trans Civil Eng 22(2):367–372
incorporating combinations of rice hush ash and cement
Aldaood A, Bouasker M, Al-Mukhtar M (2014) Geotechnical
kiln dust. J Mater Civ Eng 23(3):1320–1327
properties of lime-treated gypseous soils. Appl Clay Sci
Kolawole J (1988) Influence of compactive effort and com-
88:39–48
paction delays on lime-treated soil. J Transp Eng
Al-Mukhtar M, Lasledj A (2014) Lime consumption of different
124(2):149–155
clayey soils. Appl Clay Sci 95:133–145
Lin C, Zhu W (2009) Geotechnical properties of solidified by
Al-Rawas AA, Hago AW, Al-Sarmi H (2005) Effect of lime,
mixing cement and calcium-bentonite. In: International
cement and Sarooj (artificial pozzolan) on the swelling
foundation congress and equipment expo, pp 281–288

123

Okoro C, Vogtman J (2011) Consolidation characteristics of
soils with lime, coal combustion product and plastic waste.
In: ASCE geo-frontiers, pp 1202–1209
Wild S, Kinuthia M (1995) The effects of ground granulated
blast furnace sludge (GGBS) on the strength and swelling
properties of lime—stabilized kaolinite in the presence of
sulphates. University of Glamorgan, Department of Civil
Engineering and Building
Yi C, Bin S (2006) Effect of polypropylene fiber and lime
admixture on engineering properties of clayey soil. Eng
Geol 87(10):230–240
123
Geotech Geol Eng
Yilmaz I, Civelekoglu B (2009) Gypsum: an additive for sta-
bilization of swelling clay soils. Appl Clay Sci 44:166–172
Yin CY, Shaaban GH, Mahmud HB (2007) Chemical stabi-
lization of scrap metal yard contaminated soil using ordi-
nary Portland cement: strength and leachability aspect.
Build Environ 42(2):794–802
Yong R, Ouhadi V (2007) Experimental study on instability of
bases on natural and lime/cement stabilized clayey soil.
Appl Clay Sci 35(4):238–249