Effect of pulp mill fly ash and calcium bentonite on the mechanical and microstructural behavior of organic soil from Alberta, Canada ...

• Main Author: Pokharel, Bigul
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Published: University of British Columbia 2020
• Subjects: Wabasca
• Online Access: https://dx.doi.org/10.14288/1.0392435; https://doi.library.ubc.ca/10.14288/1.0392435

The high compressibility and low shear strength characteristics of organic soil are significant challenges for the infrastructure development in Canada and across the world as well. This research investigated the use of pulp mill fly ash (PFA), alkaline activator and calcium bentonite (Ca-bentonite) to improve the engineering behaviour of the organic soil consisting of 26% organic matter, obtained from the wetlands in Wabasca region, Northern Alberta, Canada. Cementitious materials such as lime, and Portland cement have been successfully used to improve the engineering properties of problematic mineral soils having low organic content. However, limited studies have been devoted to stabilization of organic soils commonly encountered in forested regions of Canada. Series of fall cone tests and one dimensional oedometer tests were carried out to evaluate the effect of PFA, alkaline activator and Ca-bentonite on the engineering behaviour of the stabilized organic soil. In addition to fall cone and oedometer ...