An Application of Geopolymer stabilized expansive soil to reduce the rainfall-based erosion in slopes

Abstract

Abstract Soil stabilization is critical in civil infrastructure, acting as a cornerstone for sustainable and resilient building practices. It enables the construction of strong foundations capable of withstanding enormous loads and adverse conditions, assuring the safety and lifespan of structures such as buildings and roads. The utilization of industrial by products for enhancing the qualities of locally expanding soils has become increasingly popular, mostly due to its low carbon emissions and cost-effectiveness. The present investigation focused on the effect of the addition of Ground Granulated Blast furnace Slag (GGBS) and Geopolymer solution to expansive soil in order to reduce the erosion of slopes. Unconfined compressive strength tests were performed and found that 10% GGBS is the optimum amount for stabilization. SEM studies were conducted to know the microstructure before and after stabilization. The study determined that the rate of rainfall erosion on the stabilized slope was lower compared to the untreated soil, and the load-carrying capacity of the stabilized slope was much greater.