Use of water reducer to enhance the mechanical and durability properties of cement-treated soil

This study investigated the potential of using water reducer (WR) to enhance the mechanical and durability properties of cement-treated soil. WRs have long been used in Portland cement concrete (PCC) to increase the properties of PCC. When added at a small dosage, WR helps improve the dispersion of cement particles and release the water otherwise entrapped in cement clusters, thus reducing the water demand for the same consistency or increase the consistency of PCC without adding more water. Cement-treated soil uses similar raw materials and has similar chemical compositions to PCC. However, little research has been conducted to explore the potential of using WR in cement-treated soil to improve its compaction and thus its mechanical and durability properties. In this study, a laboratory experiment was conducted to examine the effects of WR on the compaction characteristics and engineering properties of cement-treated soil. As expected, similar benefits of water reduction and improved properties could be achieved by adding WR in cement-treated soil. The improved mechanical and durability properties of cement-treated soil were due to the fact that WR could improve the compaction behavior of cement-treated soil through reduced optimum moisture content and increased maximum dry density. Further studies are recommended for the interaction among WR, soil particles, and cement particles to achieve an optimal effect for engineering applications.