Effect of freeze-thaw cycles on the strength of fine-grained soil stabilized with bottom ash, lime, jute fiber and steel fiber

This study presents an attempt about effect of freeze-thaw cycles on unconfined compressive strength (UCS) of fine grained soil (low-plasticity silt) treated with jute fiber, steel fiber, lime and bottom ash. The stress-strain behavior of the stabilized soil on brittleness index and resilient modulus has also been discussed due the treatment effects. An extensive laboratory study has been carried out conducting UCS tests under the freeze-thaw cycles of 0, 1, 2 and 3. The mixtures proportions of the stabilizers were 2%, 4%, 6%, 8% and 10% for lime, 10%, 20%, 30%, 40% and 50% for bottom ash and 0.25%, 0.50%, 0.75% and 1% for both of the jute and steel fibers. Considering the UCS performances and the cost-benefit advantages with together, the effective dosage rates of stabilizers separately were found as 4% for lime, 20% for bottom ash, 0.75% for jute fiber and 0.25% for steel fiber. The results obtained from the study are fairly promising to employ lime, bottom ash, jute fiber and steel fiber against freeze-thaw resistance.