Effect of lime pre-treatment mellowing duration on some geotechnical properties of shale treated with cement

Abstract

The effect of lime pre-treatment duration on some geotechnical properties of shale treated with cement for use as flexible pavement material was studied. Atterberg’s limits, compaction, California bearing ratio (CBR) and unconfined compressive strength (UCS) tests were conducted on the natural shale and shale pre-treated with 0, 3, 6, and 9 % lime and allowed to mellow for 0, 24, and 48 hours, before it was treated with 0, 3, 6 and 9 % cement. Results of tests shows that lime pre treatment mellowing duration greatly enhance the suitability of shale treated with cement. 7 day UCS value of shale increased from 400kN/m² to peak value of 2311kN/m² when shale pre-treated with 9% lime was allowed to mellow for 48 hours before treatment with 9 % cement. CBR value of natural shale increased from 2.4 % to 112 % when shale pre-treated with 9 % lime and allowed to mellow for 48 hours was treated with 9 % cement. Shale pre-treated with 9 % lime and allowed to mellow for 48 hours before treatment with 6 % cement is recommended for use as road base material in lightly trafficked road and sub-base material of a heavily trafficked road.

Keywords: Cement, Lime, Mellow, Pre-treatment, shale