Durability of lightweight alkali-activated ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBS) stabilized clayey soils subjected to sulfate attack

Lightweight alkali-activated ground granulated blast furnace slag (LAS) is an energy-efficient and environment-friendly cementitious material that can be used as a binder for the fill soil stabilization in subgrade construction. Although physical, hydraulic and mechanical properties of LAS stabilized clayey soils have been previously characterized, their long-term durability under deteriorating environments has not yet been well assessed. This paper reports an experimental study on the sulfate attack resistance of a LAS stabilized clayey soil, which is composed of GGBS, sodium silicate, calcium carbide residue (CCR), air foam, and clayey soil. Stabilized soil specimens are submerged in a sodium sulfate solution for varying periods (3, 7, 14, 28, 60, 90 and 120 days). The mass change percentage, unconfined compressive strength and thermogravimetric characteristics are evaluated at the end of each varying soaking periods. The same virgin soil stabilized by the lightweight Portland cement (LPC) is also tested as a benchmark. The results suggest that the LAS stabilized soil has superior sulfate attack resistance in terms of greater water absorption and higher strength, which is attributed to the presence of larger amount of cementitious hydration products in the LAS stabilized soil, as confirmed via thermogravimetric measurement.