Civil Engineering Dimension, Vol. 14, No.

2, September 2012, 69-76

ISSN 1410-9530 print / ISSN 1979-570X online

Settlement Control of Soft Ground using Cement-Ricehusk

Stabilization

Chan, C-M.1 and Mokhtar, M.2

Abstract: Cement is widely used for improvement of soft soils, but financial and environmental
concerns are causing genuine concerns to all parties, leading to the quest for alternative and
effective stabilizers. Ricehusk is an agricultural waste in Malaysia, commonly disposed of by
open burning or dumping in landfills. Considering that the ashes derived from ricehusk are
pozzolanic in nature, there is a possibility that a cement-ricehusk mixture could effectively
improve soft soils with reduced cement dosage. This study examines the mixture‟s effectiveness
by monitoring the settlement reduction in a clay soil. Standard oedometer tests were carried out
on a soft marine clay sample admixed with cement-ricehusk. Test specimens contained 0-10%
cement and 0-5% of ricehusk respectively, and were left to cure for either seven or 28 days. The
stabilized specimens were observed to undergo significant reduction in compressibility, verifying
the potential of cement-ricehusk as an alternative soft soil stabilizer.

Keywords: Ricehusk, settlement control, soft soil.

Introduction The purposes of introducing stabilizing agents to soft

soils can be summarized as strength enhancement,
In order to erect infrastructure and buildings over deformation control, increased dynamic stiffness,
soft ground, either specially designed foundation and remediation of contaminated soils. The advan-
systems or ground improvement works are required. tages of soil stabilization include being economical,
The former is long proven effective, but economic, flexibility in applications, and minimal production of
environmental as well sustainability issues are fast spoil for disposal [2].
making the approach undesirable. The latter,
however, show trends of practitioners seeking alter- There are many types of stabilizing agents that
native materials to the already-established installa- possess hardening properties, and various studies
tion methods. This is primarily to address and have been published on the stabilization effects of
mitigate the long term negative impact of physical these stabilizing agents. According to Sing et al. [3],
development on all aspects of modern living, i.e. the most important criterion in the selection of
sustainability. suitable stabilizing agents is their capability of
achieving the desirable soil stabilizing function. With
The Deep Mixing Method (DMM), a deep in-situ soil
the appropriate choice of stabilizing agents, soil
stabilization technique using cement and lime as a
stabilization by suitable chemical admixture can
stabilizing agent, was developed in Japan and the
Scandinavian countries independently in 1970s. increase shear strength and bearing capacity, reduce
Numerous research efforts have been carried out in permeability and compressibility, and improve
the area to examine properties of the treated soil, swelling characteristics of soft soils.
behavior of DMM improved ground under static and
dynamic loading conditions, design methods as well In soil stabilization, cement and lime are the two
as execution techniques [1]. main materials used as stabilizing agents. However
these materials have rapidly increased in prices due
to the sharp rise in the cost of energy production as
1Senior Lecturer/Research Fellow, Research Centre for Soft Soils
(RECESS), Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering, well as the raw ingredients. Ordinary Portland
Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM), 86400 Parit Raja, cement is chosen as the main stabilizing agent for
Batu Pahat, Johor, MALAYSIA. Email: [email protected] this study due to its availability in the country. In
2 Research Fellow, Research Centre for Soft Soils (RECESS), addition, as suggested by Broms [4], cement is
Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Universiti Tun preferable compared to lime for soft soil stabilization
Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM), 86400 Parit Raja, Batu Pahat,
Johor, MALAYSIA. Email: [email protected] in this region, as cement is cheaper and easier to
preserve in the hot and humid climate.
Note: Discussion is expected before November, 1st 2012, and will be
published in the “Civil Engineering Dimension” volume 15, number
1, March 2013. Referring to Romano and Rodrigues [5], Portland
cement is produced at temperatures around 1500°C,
Received 19 August 2011; revised 19 May 2012; accepted 27 June
2012. where raw materials such as calcium carbonates are

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thermally decomposed, generating considerable In an effort to reuse the large quantities of RH as

amounts of carbon dioxide (CO2). Indeed, the they are, this study was carried out to examine the
production of 1000 kg of cement requires 100 kg of possibility of combining the waste material with
fossil fuel and generates 1000 kg of CO2. Therefore, cement for settlement control of soft ground. The
replacing portions of Portland cement in soil cement-RH treated soil, prepared at a range of mix
stabilization with a potentially „cementitious‟ or ratios, was subjected to standard laboratory1-
„reinforcing‟ material like ricehusk (RH) can help dimensional compressibility test.
reducing the overall environmental impact of the soil
stabilization method.
Materials and Methods
Clay Soil
According to Basha et al. [6], as a result of the
increase in the amount of solid waste all over the The disturbed clay samples were collected from 1-2
globe, engineers and researchers are obliged to carry m depth of the test site of RECESS (Research Centre
out investigations to find useful applications for such for Soft Soils) by using a motorized auger. The clay
wastes. The disposal of the abundant agriculture was dark grey in colour with small contents of
wastes like RH in Malaysia clearly poses a pressing organic matter (see Table 1 and Figure 1). The
sustainability and environmental preservation issue. freshly retrieved clay samples were first wrapped
Since open burning is no longer permitted due to with layers of cling film, then tightly bound in plastic
environmental concerns [7], various ensuing bags to prevent moisture loss during transportation
problems caused by irresponsible disposal of RH and storage. The clay was remolded at its natural
have arisen. This can be avoided by finding suitable water content before being formed into test speci-
engineering applications for its afterlife, such as mens.
being used as lightweight backfill materials in
Table 1. Chemical Compositions for Clay, Cement and
geotechnical projects. Ricehusk

Notwithstanding the fact that ricehusk ash (RHA) Concentration (%)

Chemical composition
Clay Cement Ricehusk
show desirable bonding potential due to its high of
SiO2 Silica dioxide 61.40 19.00 73.30
siliceous content, such as demonstrated by Rahman K2O Potassium 2.21 0.83 6.45
[8] and Muntohar [9-11], there remains a number of Fe2O3 Ferric oxide 5.22 2.58 3.74
undecided fundamental issues, such as quality SO3 Sulfite 4.58 5.62 2.96
control of the ash produced, high energy consump- CaO Calcium oxide 0.15 65.10 1.65
tion for the conversion process as well uncertain long MgO Magnesium oxide 1.27 1.47 1.20
Al2O3 Alluminium oxide 23.80 4.68 0.84
term environmental impact due to chemical reac-
CO2 Carbon dioxide 0.10 0.10 0.10
tions in the ground. Cl Chloride - - 1.05

Figure 1. Particle Size Distribution of Clay and RH

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Ordinary Portland Cement Preparation of Specimens

The ordinary Portland cement (see Table 1 and The remolded clay sample was mixed with the
Figure 2) was first oven-dried at 105ºC for 24 hours required amount of cement and/or RH at their
before being stored in airtight containers to maintain natural water content. Next, the clay, cement and
the consistency (i.e. removal of entrapped moisture RH were thoroughly mixed in a conventional food
content). Cement was added to the clay in the amount mixer. To avoid spillage, the food mixer was run at a
of 0, 5, and 10%, by mass, of the mass of the clay. low speed for the first minute, after which the
mixing process was stopped to scrape off the
Ricehusk (RH) materials stuck on the mixing paddle and sides of
the bowl. Mixing was then resumed for another 2-3
Similar with cement, the RH was oven-dried at 105 minutes, until a homogeneous clay-additive paste
ºC for 24 hours to remove any entrapped moisture was formed. The mixing process took approximately
(see Table 1, Figures 1 and 2). The dried RH was 5 minutes, as recommended in EuroSoilStab [2].
next ground and sieved, where only portions finer
than 425 m were used. The RH dosage ranged The mixture was compacted in the oedometer ring,
between 0 to 5% (see Table 2), based on dry mass of measuring 75 mm in diameter and 20 mm high, in
the clay soil. These percentages were selected based two layers of 75 g each. Each layer was tamped and
on Ibrahim‟s work [12], which focused on the compacted with custom-made miniature compaction
unconfined compressive strength of the same clay tools in the same manner. The top of each compacted
soil admixed with 5% cement and 2-3% RH. The layer was scarified before placement of the following
resulting strengths (qu) were all lower than for the layer to improve bonding between the layers.
specimen with 5% cement addition. This was most Finally, the specimen was wrapped with cling film
likely due to the relatively large particle size of RH and kept in a tightly closed bucket partially filled
used, i.e. 1-4 mm, causing segregation and prefe- with a bleach solution, for prevention of fungal
rential shear planes within the specimens. Hence the growth on the specimen. The specimens were left to
present study adopted the same dosages (and more) cure for seven and 28 days before tests. Details of the
but finer RH particles in an attempt to evaluate the test specimens are given in Table 2. Note that the
settlement reduction potential of the cement-RH 10C specimen was meant to serve as a „target
mix. strength‟ specimen, for comparison with the cement-
RH-stabilized specimens, which contained only 5%
Figure 2 shows the physical quantities of various cement.
percentages of cement and RH. As clearly shown, the
physical amount of 5% cement (5C) is not much Table 2. Test Specimens: Labels and Descriptions
different from that of 2% RH (2RH) due to the lower
Specimen Description
density of RH (Gs for cement and RH are 3.12 and
1.37 respectively). Therefore a seemingly small CONTROL Clay + 0 % cement + 0 % ricehusk
dosage increment of 0.5% RH translates to a 5C Clay + 5 % cement
significant amount in terms of physical quantity. 10C Clay + 10 % cement
5C2RH Clay + 5 % cement + 2 % ricehusk
5C3.5RH Clay + 5 % cement + 3.5 % ricehusk
5C5RH Clay + 5 % cement + 5 % ricehusk

Oedometer Tests

The oedometer test was carried out based on the

5C 2RH procedure given in5RHBS1377: 1990: Part 5 [13]. The
3.5RH
specimen was allowed to drain freely from the top
Figure 2. Physical quantities of various percentages of cement and RH.
and bottom surfaces with the placement of porous
discs. Each specimen was loaded up to 1600 kPa
before being unloaded following the same sequence
in reverse. Each loading and unloading stage was
left for 24 hours and the vertical displacements were
2RH 3.5RH 5RH automatically logged with a PC-based system. Note
that consolidation was observed to have completed
Figure
2. Physical quantities 2. Physical
of various Quantities
percentages of cementof and
Various
RH. Percentages of
within the adopted time lapse for all specimens.
Cement and RH

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Results Analysis and Discussions indicates the cementatious potential of RH when

used in combination with cement in enhancing the
Nominal ‘Zero’ of Vertical Stress stiffness of an originally soft, weak material. Indeed,
it is apparent that 5C5RH (28d) surpassed 10C (7d)
In an oedometer test, the self-weight of the top in settlement reduction. As such, for field
loading cap should be taken into account as part of implementation, the same target stiffness can be
the total vertical load acting on the soil specimen achieved with the savings of 50% cement, on
[14]. This is especially important for the unstabilized condition a 1-month rest period is acceptable.
soft clay specimens that tend to deform even under
the slightest load imposed. For the present study, the Compressibility
oedometer had a top cap that weighed 388 g,
equivalent to a vertical stress of about 8 kPa, which Figure 5 and Table 3 give the compression curves
was taken as the initial stress at the beginning of all and oedometer test results respectively for the 7-day
the tests. old specimens. The compression curve of the
unstabilized soil (CONTROL) is well below those of
Effective Yield Stress the stabilized specimens, and generally the vertical
strain decreased with increased cement-RH content.
The apparent consolidation yield stress is roughly This points towards important role cementation
equivalent to the pressure at which the stabilized plays in reducing the settlement. It was also
specimen bonds begin to fail during compression observed that with increased cement-RH content as
[15]. The yield stresses, y', obtained using the well as the curing period, compressibility was
regression line (RL) fitting method proposed by Chan markedly improved. Figures 6 to 8 show the
[14], is shown in Figure 3. Intersection of the normal compression curves of specimen pairs with the same
consolidation line (NCL) and the initial loading line cement-RH content but different curing periods (i.e.
defines y'. seven and 28 days). The settlement reduction was
found to be in the range of 6.9-9.4%. This can be
Figure 4 shows a plot of y' against curing time both clearly attributed to the presence of RH, where the
the unstabilized and stabilized specimens. Note that formation of cementitious gel filled the voids in the
y' increased with cement and RH contents, where specimen, consequently stiffening it with an
y' is found to be in the range of 58-150 kPa. enhanced structure for load-bearing. This was
Prolonged curing also increased y', with higher RH manifested in the reduced compressibility over time
contributing to the reduced settlement. This strongly as well as with increased cement-RH dosages.

Figure 3. y' Obtained using the RL Fitting Method

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Figure 4. y' - Curing Time

Table 3. Settlements at Various Effective Stresses (7-day specimens)

Settlement (mm)
Effective stress (kPa)
5C 10C 5C2RH 5C3.5RH 5C5RH
25 0.110 0.020 0.115 0.103 0.096
50 0.799 0.027 0.674 0.545 0.365
100 1.746 0.405 1.431 1.392 1.134
200 3.095 1.393 2.676 2.469 2.438
400 4.530 2.700 3.924 3.877 3.808
800 5.902 4.247 5.382 5.224 5.149
1600 7.560 5.572 6.759 6.534 6.503

Figure 5. The Compressibility Results for the Oedometer Test (seven days).

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Figure 6. The Compression Curves for 5C2RH at Seven and 28 Days

Figure 7. The Compression Curves for 5C3.5RH at Seven and 28 Days

Figure 8. The Compression Curves for 5C5RH at Seven and 28 Days

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Coefficient of Consolidation (cv) In general, mv values in the pre-yield region were

lower than those in the post-yield region. At high v'
Determination of cv is based on two curve fitting (e.g. 800 kPa), regardless of the presence and dosage
methods, namely the logarithm of time (Casagrande) of cement-RH, the mv values tend to converge. This
and square root of time (Taylor) methods. Table 4 is observed as the compression curves, post-yield,
shows the cv values determined with both methods. gradually folding into one. A plausible explanation is
As the difference for cv was small, i.e. in the range of the gradual deterioration of the cemented structure
2.1-13.5 %, it is suggestive that the method used for beyond y‟, where the continuously increased stress
the determination of cv did not have a significant damages and breaks the cemented bonds. As this
effect on the results. „destructuring‟ progresses, the treated clay would
revert to its normally consolidated condition, i.e.
An important effect of soil stabilization with cement tracing the virgin compression line.
is increased cv values [16], Table 4 shows that cv
values for the stabilized specimens in the pre-yield Conclusions
region are almost 30 times greater than CONTROL.
On the other hand, in the post-yield region, cv values From the one-dimensional compressibility test, settle-
of the stabilized specimens are 15-17 times that of ment was found to decrease with increased cement-
CONTROL. This implies effective settlement reduc- RH content. This exemplified the stiffening effect on
tion with the introduction of cement-RH in the clay the initially soft clay soil. Settlement reduction
soil. The positive effect of stabilization with cement- within the range of 6.9-9.4% was recorded for
RH agrees well with findings by a number of past specimens with the same cement-RH content but
researchers [17,18] different curing periods, i.e. seven and 28 days. This
indicates the positive effect of prolonged curing on
Coefficient of Volume Compressibility (mv) the reduced compressibility of cement-RH stabilized
soils.
The high value of mv underlines the reduction of
compressibility of the soil [19]. Table 5 shows the mv The cv and mv values of the cement-RH specimens
values for the stabilized and unstabilized specimens were markedly improved in comparison with the
at pre- and post-yield regions. Apparently mv for the original clay specimen, i.e. 96% increase for cv and
stabilized specimen was lower than that of the 60% decrease for mv. This shows effective settlement
CONTROL, again proving that the stabilized reduction. It is worth noting that excessive high
specimens were stiffer than the untreated one. loads post-yield can lead to „destructuring‟ and
eventual collapse of the stabilized material, as
Similar findings were reported by Rao and Shiva- demonstrated by the significant settlements beyond
nanda [20], who studied the compressibility of lime- y‟ in the compression curves.
treated clay. They found that mv decreased with
increased lime addition in the clay soils, where the Acknowledgement
initially soft soil was transformed into a stronger and
stiffer material. Financial support by the following three respective
parties is duly acknowledged: (1) Ministry of Science,
Table 4. cv Values for Stabilized Specimen and Unstabilized Technology and Innovation, Malaysia, (2) Ministry of
Clay (7 days)
Higher Education, Malaysia and (3) UTHM‟s Research
cv (m2/year) and Innovation Centre. The authors also extend
%
Specimen Pressure Log Time Root Time their sincere thanks to the management and staff at
Difference
(kPa) (log t) (t) RECESS, UTHM.
50 0.21 0.20 2.5
Clay
800 0.06 0.06 2.1
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50 5.85 5.11 13.5
5C5RH
800 0.90 0.99 9.6
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800 0.22 struction Methods to Stabilize Soft Organic Soils:
50 0.54 Design Guide Soft Soil Stabilization, Brussels:
5C5RH
800 0.21 CT97-0351, 2002.

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