Mechanical Properties of Quicklime-Activated Ground Blast Furnace Slag-Fly Ash Geopolymer-Stabilized Soil

doi:10.16552/j.cnki.issn1001-1625.2025.0116

Abstract

Abstract: This study investigated the effects of stabilizer mix ratio(quicklime, ground blast furnace slag and fly ash proportion), stabilizer content, and curing age on the unconfined compressive strength (UCS) and deformation modulus of quicklime-activated ground blast furnace slag-fly ash geopolymer-stabilized soil through UCS tests. The stabilization mechanism was revealed through SEM-EDS microstructural test. The results indicate that the UCS of geopolymer-stabilized soil initially increases and subsequently decreases with rising quicklime content. Increasing ground blast furnace slag content effectively enhances the UCS of stabilized soil. The early-stage UCS development rate of geopolymer-stabilized soil exceeds that of cement-stabilized soil, while its strength growth rate decreases during later curing periods, yet maintains higher values than cement-stabilized soil. Both deformation modulus and UCS demonstrate positive correlations with stabilizer content and curing age, exhibiting a favorable linear relationship. The hydration products (C-S-H, C-A-S-H, and C-A-H) generated by quicklime-activated geopolymer effectively bond soil particles and facilitate the formation of dense stabilized soil skeleton structures. These findings provide theoretical support for practical applications of quicklime-activated ground blast furnace slag-fly ash geopolymer stabilized soil in engineering projects.

Key words: geopolymer, quicklime, unconfined compressive strength, mix ratio, curing age, stabilizer content, deformation modulus

CLC Number:

TU447

HU Jianlin, LI Zhilin, ZHOU Yongxiang, LENG Faguang, DU Xiuli. Mechanical Properties of Quicklime-Activated Ground Blast Furnace Slag-Fly Ash Geopolymer-Stabilized Soil[J]. BULLETIN OF THE CHINESE CERAMIC SOCIETY, 2025, 44(8): 2912-2923.

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