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Characterization of Hydrated Lime-Stabilized Brown Kaolin Clay

Article · November 2013

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 International Journal of Engineering Research & Technology (IJERT)
ISSN: 2278-0181
Vol. 2 Issue 11, November - 2013

Characterization of Hydrated Lime-Stabilized Brown Kaolin Clay

Khitam A. H. Saeed1, Khairul A. Kassim2, HadiNur3, and Nor Zurairahetty M. Yunus4
1
Faculty of Civil Eng. University Technology Malaysia.
2
professor at Faculty of Civil Eng. University Technology Malaysia
3
Professor of Chemistry University Technology Malaysia.
4
Lecturer at Faculty of Civil Eng. University Technology Malaysia,

Abstract comparatively high in Malaysia, making a lime

economically applicable selection for the treatment
The effect of the calcium-based stabilizers like lime of tropical soils [5]. Lime used to improve the
on the clay soil characterizations has been studied bearing capacity of the layers in highway, railway,
in this research. This study was carried out in an and airport buildings. It is also used as the basis for
attempt to identify the time-dependent soil- lightweight structures, such as fill material for
chemical reactions for lime chemically stabilized retaining walls, and as a side support in excavations
Brown Kaolin clay samples. The data for the study and trenches. Therefore, due to the proven
of characteristics of treated samples were obtained versatility of lime stabilization, the method has
from X-ray diffractometer (XRD), field emission been gained wider acceptance in different countries
scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), and of the world, and most recently in Southeast Asia
Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). [6].
Furthermore, to illustrate the effect of lime on the
strength, a series of laboratory tests were carried
out by unconfined compressive strength. Based on 2. Mechanism of Lime Reactions
the micro-structural analyses, it was observed that When a soil is mixed with lime, two mechanisms
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kaolinite is rapidly exhausted by pozzolanic reactions occur. These reactions can be classified
reactions to produce the Gismondine (CASH), into short-term reactions (modification or
which is responsible on gain the strength for the flocculation) and long-term
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lime treated samples with progressing time. On the (solidification/stabilization) as stated by [7]. During
other hand, it was noticed Illite mineral did not the short-term phase, the calcium ions (Ca++) from
show any reacted with advancing time. In addition, hydrated lime migrate to the surface of the clay
based on the morphology of the treated samples, particles and displace water and other ions. Thus,
the presence of the cementious products were as a result to this reaction, increasing in the pH of
observed. These outcomes proved the effectiveness the pore water was occurred. Furthermore, the soil
of lime to stabilize kaolin clay. becomes friable and granular due to the
flocculation of soil aggregates, making it easier to
1. Introduction work and compact include. Cation exchange and
The clay mineralogy has significant effect on carbonation were included also within this term of
the soil characterization. Kaolinite is geochemically reactions. These reactions influence the physical
and industrially extremely versatile. These minerals properties (i.e. Atterberg limits and particle size
form in tropical climatic conditions of the region distribution) of the soil. Moreover, an increase in
where rainfall is comparatively high, and there is strength caused by both the dehydration and
good drainage to confirm cation leaching and iron fundamental changes in the clay particle chemistry
acids granitic rocks [1]. On the other hand, Kaolin is accompanied in this reaction.
soil is soft clay deposits. Furthermore, it has While, the reactions that take place after the
predominantly poor engineering characterizations, modification phase, which are attributed to the long
which are lead to occur high compressibility, high term reactions, are time dependent and continue for
plasticity, poor workability, and low shear strength. a long period. These reactions lead to produce the
Therefore, using these soft deposits for pozzolanic reactions [8]. The formation of various
construction structures, lead to many geotechnical cementing products will bind the aggregates, thus
problems. For that, to encounter these problems, increase the strength of the clay soils.
chemical stabilization should be applied. It should be noted that the most of previous
The calcium-based stabilizer confirmed its research considered only the physical
efficiency in improving the soil properties as characteristics of the soil parameters [9,10]. Thus,
reported by several researchers [2-4]. In Malaysia, the details studies to determine the mechanisms of
limestone is widely used. Furthermore, the lime clay reactions based on the microstructure
presence of lime in the form of hydrated lime is area were limited. Therefore, this paper aims to

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 International Journal of Engineering Research & Technology (IJERT)
ISSN: 2278-0181
Vol. 2 Issue 11, November - 2013

investigate the characteristics of hydrated lime To study the effect of hydrated lime on soil
treated Brown Kaolin samples using XRD characteristics, the treated soil was characterized
diffraction, Field Emission Scanning Electron prior and after the treatment. The methods and
Microscope (FESEM), Fourier Transform Infrared equipment used in each of these analyses are
Spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis, and to evaluate the specified as follow.
strength development of lime treated samples, UCS Powder XRD was collected to define the crystalline
test was carried out on the cured samples. minerals existed in the natural soil and also to
monitor the mineralogical changes caused by lime
3. Materials treatment. Samples for XRD test were prepared by
Slightly acidic brown pure kaolin was used as a grinding the soil using a pestle and a mortar to
material in this study. The bulk soil is purchased obtain a homogeneous fine powder. A Bruker D8
from Tapah, where it is located in the west of advance diffractometer was used to accomplish
Peninsular Malaysia. The Atterberg limits, particle scans in an angle scan (2θ) ranging between 10 to
size distribution, density and pH of kaolin were 80° with a 0.02° step size and dwelling time of one
determined in the laboratory. The physical and second at each step. Then, the mineralogy analysis
chemical composition of the soil properties are was carried out based on the characteristic Bragg
listed in Table 2. The lime used was hydrated lime data available in the standard powder diffraction
Ca (OH)2. file (JCPDS, 1995).
A JSM-6701F JEOL Field Emission Scanning
Table 2. The Physical Properties and chemical Electron Microscope (FESEM) was used also to
composition for Kaolin clay study the morphological changes and the
topographic features associated with clay particles
4. Samples Preparation
before and after treatment. Furthermore, FTIR was
Two different amounts of lime, i.e., 5 and 10% by
conducted to examine the molecular alterations in
weight of the dry soil, were chosen for this research
the structure of treated samples. Hence, 2 mg of
to prepare the treated samples. The optimum
dried soil was ground in an agate mortar and
moisture content and the max dry density were
blended with 200 mg potassium bromide (KBr) to
determined for the natural and the treated samples
produce a homogeneous powder, which was then
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for both the percentages of lime. Clause 3 .3. 4. 1
pressed into a solid pellet. The transparent KBr disc
of BS 1377: Part 4: 1990 was adopted to
(pellet) was then placed in a sample holder where it
accomplish the compaction test. Dry Mixtures of
was scanned using a Perkin Elmer Spectrum 2000
lime and clay are mixed with distilled water. UCS
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instrument to yield a pattern of the beam

samples were prepared by placing a mixture in a
transmitted through the sample from 400 to 4000
mold (38 mm diameter x 76 mm length) under
cm-1.
constant stress of compaction, as specified in
Unconfined compressive strength (UCS) test was
BS1924: Part2: 1990 (clause 4.1.5). Then, sample
performed on cured specimens at an axial strain
was removed using a hydraulic jack and wrapped
rate of one percent per minute in accordance with
with thin plastic film. They were covered plastic
BS 1924: Part 2: 1990. The results were used as an
container with a tight lid to prevent the moisture
index of improvement.
lost during the curing time. The samples were
stored in a temperature-controlled room (27 ± 2 °
C) and tested at different curing periods of 7 days, 6. Test Results and Discussion
14 days, 28 days, 100 days and 200 days. 6.1. Compaction Test
Standard compaction test was carried on lime
5. Testing Programme stabilized Brown Kaolin clay prior to strength
(UCS) test to determine the compaction
characteristics. Figure 1 reveals the dry density-
water content relationships for kaolin clay with 5%
& 10% lime contents. As shown in the figure, the
addition of lime increased the optimum moisture
content (OMC) and decreased the maximum dry
density (MDD) with increasing lime content. This
was consistent with the study conducted by [11].
The reduction in the dry density occurs as a result
of agglomerated particles due to flocculation.
Furthermore, because the lime requires more water
for the pozzolanic reactions that leads to increase
OMC with the content of the lime growing.

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 International Journal of Engineering Research & Technology (IJERT)
ISSN: 2278-0181
Vol. 2 Issue 11, November - 2013

comparatively weak cementing agents such as

calcium carbonate, and this reaction is undesirable
because it exhausts some lime that would normally
be used to form more resistant cementitious
products [13].

Figure 1: The compaction characteristics of lime

stabilized Brown Kaolin clay

7. Microstructure Analysis
7.1. X-ray diffraction (XRD) Figure 2: XRD of untreated Kaolin clay soil
Figure 2. shows the XRD pattern of untreated
Brown Kaolin clay. The main mineralogical
constituents of untreated kaolin clay are kaolinite
Al2(Si2O)(OH)4, quartz SiO2,calcite CaCO3, and
illite (K,H3O)(AL2Si3AlO10(OH)2. However,
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kaolinite is the predominant clay mineral.
Furthermore, XRD-ray patterns of untreated and
10% lime treated Brown Kaolin clay samples after
7, 100, and 200 days were shown in Figure (3). As
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shown in this figure, it can noticed new compounds

at 7 days curing, which are observed at 2θ of (19.8,
35.3, 40.4,50, 54,56),(17.7,20, 29.8, 34.5, 55),and
(29.2, 34.2, 47.4,64.7) for Montmorillonite,
Muscovite, and Portlandite respectively. For the
long period at 100 and 200 days, a new reflection is
attributed to the formation of Gismondine (CASH),
which is resulted from the reaction between the
Portlandite and the mixture of soil. This finding
was in agreement with [12] study. As the time Figure 3: X-ray diffraction patterns for
prolonged, the alkaline environment which is untreated and lime treated Brown Kaolin clay
responsible for the pozzolanic reaction to ensure soil after 7,
silica and alumina dissolved from solution will 100, and
increase. Thus, the pozzolanic reaction continues to 200 days
produce more CASH, which lead to increase the curing time
strength of the lime treated Kaolin soil.
Furthermore, it should be noted that the high
percentage of quartz does not assist in increasing 7.2.
the strength of lime treated Kaolin clay. Instead, it Scanning
retarded the bonding between the surface lime and Electron
clay particles. For this reason, the partially
crystallize CASH, still not entirely converted to the
crystallize compounds CSH and CAH.
Furthermore, it can be noticed the presence of
calcite, which is result from the carbonation of
calcium. Thus, as stated previously it can form Microscope Analysis

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 International Journal of Engineering Research & Technology (IJERT)
ISSN: 2278-0181
Vol. 2 Issue 11, November - 2013

The micrograph of natural kaolin clay is presented The band at 912 cm-1 corresponding to the OH
in Figure 4. It can be noticed, the neatly arranged deformation of hydroxyl groups. Most of the other
book-like kaolinite particle were the predominate
feature of the natural soil [14]. The kaolin generally Figure 5: FESEM images of 10% Lime treated
has a to-face aggregate and edge -to-edge Kaolin Clay after7, 100, and 200 days
flocculated structure [15]. Figure 5. shows the
micrograph of lime stabilized Brown Kaolin clay
samples at different intervals time. It was evident bands such as the Si–O vibrations observed at 794
there is insignificant modification in the texture of cm-1, 698 cm-1, 540 cm-1, and 470 cm-1, also
the lime-kaolin matrix at 7 days curing time. In
addition it can detect little flocculated parts with confirmed the presence of kaolinite mineral.
small signs of Ca(OH)2 as a result to starting lime
dissolution. At 100 and 200 days curing, it was
apparent that the degree of crystal formation and
the fabric texture of lime-stabilized matrix are
developed with time. It can recognize parts of
reticulation phases and the evident of white lumps.
These changes are attributed to the progressing in
the process of lime reaction and producing calcium
alumina silicate hydrated (gismondine), which is
responsible for the long-term strength performance
of stabilized specimens.
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Figure 4: FESEM image of untreated Kaolin

clay soil

8. Molecular Characteristics Furthermore, the small band at 1422cm-1 relates to

the presence of calcite. While, the bonding mode
8.1. FTIR
Infrared spectroscopy was carried out in this vibration of water molecules H-O-H is observed at
1638cm-1.
research, to examine the influences of hydrated
FTIR spectroscopy was also conducted on lime
lime on the molecular structure of treated Kaolin
soils. treated Brown Kaolin clay samples as presented in
The FTIR spectrum of natural Brown Kaolin soil is Figure (7). It can detect increasing the intensity of
shown in Figure (6). As can see, kaolinite was absorbance band at 1425cm-1 due to increasing the
sources of calcium, which are supplied from the
identified by two strong bands at 3696 and 3620
lime addition. It was also observed a slight
cm-1. These bands were related to the octahedral
increasing in the intensity of Si-O stretching due to
OH stretching vibrations. Furthermore, it can be
detected sharp bands at 1115 cm-1, 1031 cm-1, and development the degree of polymerization with
1007 cm-1 that are attributed to the Si-O stretching. time

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 International Journal of Engineering Research & Technology (IJERT)
ISSN: 2278-0181
Vol. 2 Issue 11, November - 2013

Figure 8: Unconfined compressive strength

(UCS) of lime-treated Brown Kaolin soil at
curing time

Figure 6: FTIR Spectra for natural Brown

Kaolin clay soil

10. Conclusion
Based on the results of the microstructural
characteristics of lime-kaolin, which were obtained
from this study, it can conclude regarding the
strength gain for the lime treatment. The high
alkalinity obtained from the lime treatment, leads to
dissolve the lime to react with soil silica and
alumina, which are released from the quartz and
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kaolinite minerals to produce the calcium silicate

and calcium aluminium silicate hydrated(CASH) as
indicated by the X-ray diffraction of lime treated
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Brown Kaolin samples. These compounds form

matrix that participates to flocculation the soil
particles by coating and bonding them together, and
with time, it strengthens the soil. This pozzolanic
compound is responsible for the long-term strength
performance of the stabilized clay soil. This was
Figure 7: FTIR spectrums of natural and lime proved by the images obtained from FESEM
treated Brown Kaolin Clay at different time micrographs, showed a clear formation of
intervals cementitous materials. Furthermore, the increasing
in the intensity of Si-O stretching due to
development the degree of polymerization with
9. Strength Analyses (UCS) time was also indication to the effectiveness the
In order to assess the degree of improvement in the lime in stabilized the kaolin sample.
Brown Kaolin soil, UCS test was performed on Overall, the factors contribute to the effectiveness
lime-treated samples. Analysis of the data of lime to stabilize kaolin clay was associated with
presented in Figure 8. As can be seen from the lime content, curing time, soil type and clay
Figure, in comparison to the maximum value of minerals.
lime 10%, it can notice that 5% lime-treated soil
specimens shows an increased in UCS at the early
stages of curing time 7 , 14 and 28 days. However,
the UCS of the 10% lime treated cured samples 10. References
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Behaviour". (3rd edition). New York: John Wiley and
original untreated strength after 200 days curing.
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specimens is may associate with the increase in pH Jr., B. R., and Yang, W. C. "Strength and deformation
value, promoting alkaline condition. Consequently, characteristics of lime treated soft clay". Journal of
allowed pozzolanic reactions to take place for Geotechnical Engineering.(1989), 20: 49–65.
further strength [12]. [3] Bell, F. G. " Lime stabilization of clay minerals and
soils", Engineering Geology,(1996), 42 (4): 223–237.

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 International Journal of Engineering Research & Technology (IJERT)
ISSN: 2278-0181
Vol. 2 Issue 11, November - 2013

[4]Narasimha Rao, S. and Rajasekaran, G., "Reaction

products formed in lime stabilized marine clays. Journal
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[6] Gutschick, K. A., "Lime Stabilizes Poor Soils", the
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Type of Vertical Drains." Proceedings, Ninth
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[8] Glendinning, S. and Boardman, D. I., "Lime

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