The temperature dependency of the hardening of stabilized/solidified contaminated soil

B. Chitambira, A. Al-Tabbaa and X.D. Yu 

Abstract
A critical challenge in the understanding of the durability and long-term effectiveness of cement-treated materials is being able to predict their time-related performance. A number of mechanistic models have been developed to predict this, mostly for uncontaminated cement-based materials. One such approach is the maturity concept, which involves use of the activation energy which derives from the Arrhenius equation. Experimentally, this is applied to a series of tests performed at different temperatures. Experimental work, related to the results of a time-related performance on a contaminated site in the UK treated with cement-based in situ stabilization/solidification, was carried out. One of the grouts used, consisting of cement and pulverized fuel ash, is discussed in this paper. Model soils representing the site soils, both contaminated with multi-contaminants and single contaminants, and uncontaminated, were tested in the laboratory. Elevated temperatures of up to 60°C and curing periods of up to 90 days were applied. Activation energies for the uncontaminated and contaminated soils were determined and compared. The results give a clear indication of the temperature dependency of the hardening of stabilized/solidified contaminated soils, and the effect of certain contaminants. 

Key words: activation energy, contaminated soil, elevated temperature curing, maturity concept, stabilization/solidification 

Land Contamination & Reclamation, 14 (1), 2006, 109-120 

DOI 10.2462/09670513.707

Updated: 26-Jun-2006