Strength Performance and Stabilization Mechanism of Fine Sandy Soils Stabilized with Cement and Metakaolin

Enhancing strength performance while reducing cement consumption for soil stabilization is the key to improving economic benefits of engineering construction projects like retaining structures underground engineering, subgrade bases, and foundation reinforcement. This study employed metakaolin as additive realize these two aims. A series compression microstructural observation tests on cement- metakaolin-stabilized fine sandy soils (CMSFSS) were conducted with different cement–metakaolin ratios, water–binder dosages binder (the mixture metakaolin), curing ages. The influences factors mechanical CMSFSS studied. empirical relationships between compressive influence discussed. Then, strengthening mechanism at ages was investigated. results showed that optimal ratio 5:1, which did not change total metakaolin. decreased linearly but increased age. Four prediction formulas about strength-influencing summarized. evolution characteristics discovered by scanning electron microscope mercury intrusion hydrated gels in being formed during early age resulted decreasing pore sizes an initial rapid rate then a slower over gradual disappearance calcium hydroxide (by-products hydration) proved promoting effect improvement cement-stabilized soils. can provide reference applying practices.