Mechanical Strength of Saline Sandy Soils Stabilized with Alkali-Activated Cements

Saline soils usually cannot satisfy the requirements of engineering projects because their inappropriate geotechnical properties. For this reason, they have always been known as one problematic worldwide. Moreover, lack access to normal water has intensified use saline resources such seawater in many construction and mining projects. Although cement stabilization is frequently used improve properties soils, Portland cement’s usage a binder constrained by its negative consequences, particularly on environment. In line, effects NaCl microstructural mechanical alkali-activated volcanic ash/slag-stabilized sandy soil were investigated study. type, slag replacement, curing time, condition, content strength stabilized examined. addition, analyses, including XRD, FTIR, SEM–EDS mapping tests, performed understand physical chemical interaction chloride ions cements. The results show that can be sustainable alternative for environments. increase sodium (NaCl) up 1 wt.% caused development 244% specimens with 50 100 slag, adding more had no significant effect all conditions. Microstructural investigations showed replacement ash resulted formation C-S-H C-A-S-H gels reduced porosity samples increased strength. Furthermore, surface adsorption encapsulation mechanisms co-occurred containing ash.