Tropical Peat Soil Stabilization using Class F Pond Ash from Coal Fired Power Plant

This paper presents the stabilization potential of Class F pond ash (PA) from a coal fired thermal power station on tropical peat soil. Peat or highly organic soils are well known for their high compressibility, natural moisture content, low shear strength and long-term settlement. This study investigates the effect of different amount (i.e., 5, 10, 15 and 20%) of PA on peat soil, collected from Sarawak, Malaysia, mainly compaction and unconfined compressive strength (UCS) properties. The amounts of PA added to the peat soil sample as percentage of the dry peat soil mass. With the increase in PA content, the maximum dry density (MDD) of peat soil increases, while the optimum moisture content (OMC) decreases. The UCS value of the peat soils increases significantly with the increase of PA content and also with curing periods. This improvement on compressive strength of tropical peat soils indicates that PA has the potential to be used as a stabilizer for tropical peat soil. Also, the use of PA in soil stabilization helps in reducing the pond volume and achieving environment friendly as well as a sustainable development of natural resources.

Authors:

• Kolay
• P.K.
• Sii
• H. Y.
• Taib
• S.N.L.

Keywords:

• Compaction
• Peat soil
• Pond ash
• Stabilization.

References:

[1] Jarret, P.M., "Geoguide 6. Site investigation for organics soils and peat,"
JKR Document 20709-3041-95. Institut Kerja Raya, Malaysia, 1995.
[2] Wong, L.S., Hashim, R. and Ali, F. H., "Engineering behaviour of
stabilized peat soil," European J. of Scientific Research, vol. 21, No.4,
pp. 581-591, 2008.
[3] Mutalib, A. A., Lim, J.S., Wong, M.H., Koonvai. L., "Characterization,
distribution and utilization of peat in Malaysia, tropical peat," In
Proceeding of the International symposium on Tropical Peatland,
Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia, pp. 7-16, 1991.
[4] Duraisamy, Y., Huat, B.B.K. and Aziz, A.A., "Engineering properties
and compressibility behavior of tropical peat soil," American J. of
Applied Sciences, vol. 4, No. 10, pp. 768-773, 2007.
[5] Hashim, R. and Islam, M.S., "A model study to determine engineering
properties of peat soil and effect on strength after stabilisation,"
European J. of Scientific Research, vol. 22, No. 2. pp. 205-215, 2008.
[6] Edil, T.B., "Recent advancements in geotechnical characterization and
construction over peat and organic soil," In Proceedings of 2nd
International Conference on Advances in soft soil Engineering and
Technology, Ed. Huat, et al., Putrajaya, Malaysia, pp. 3-35, 2003.
[7] Hebib, S. and Farell, E.R., "Some experiences on the stabilization of
Irish peats, Can. Geotech. J. , vol. 40, pp. 107-120, 2003.
[8] Hampton, M.B. and Edil, T.B., "Strength Gain of Organic Ground with
Cement-Type Binders, Soil Improvement for Big Digs," Geotechnical
Special Publication No. 81. ASCE, pp. 135-148, 1998.
[9] Huie, C. and Wang, Q., "The behaviour of organic matter in the process
of soft soil stabilization using cement," Bull Eng Geol Env., pp. 445-448,
2006.
[10] Deboucha, S., Hashim, R. and Alwi, A., "Engineering properties of
stabilized peat soils," Electronic Journal of Geotechnical Engineering,
vol.13, Bund. E, 2008.
[11] Pousette, K., Macsik, J. and Jacobsson, A., "Peat soil samples stabilised
in laboratory - Experiences from manufacturing and testing," Dry Mix
Methods for Deep Soil Stabilization, Bredenberg, Holm & Broms. 1999
Balkema. Rotterdam. pp. 85-92, 1999.
[12] Huat, B.B.K., Shukri, M. and Thamer, A.M., "Effect of chemical
admixtures on the engineering properties of tropical peat soils,"
American J. of Applied Science, vol. 2, No. 7, pp. 1113-1120, 2005.
[13] Cortellazzo, G. and Cola, S., "Geotechnical characteristics of two Italian
peats stabilized with binders," Dry Mix Methods for Deep Soil
Stabilization. Bredenberg. Holm & Broms, Balkema. Rotterdam, pp. 93-
100, 1999.
[14] Kumar, B.R. Phani, Nagareddayya, S. and Santhi S. B., "Improving
clayey soils with fly ash," Soft Soil Engineering, Lee et al., Swets &
Zeitlinger, 2001.
[15] Sahu, B.K., "Improvement in California Bearing Ratio of Various Soils
in Botswana by Fly Ash," International Ash Utilization Symposium,
Center for Applied Energy Research. University of Kentucky, 2001.
[16] Lin, D.F., Lin, K.L., Hung, M.J. and Luo, H.L., "Sludge ash/hydrated
lime on the geotechnical properties of soft soil," Journal of Hazardous
Materials, vol. 145. Issues 1-2. pp. 58-64, 2007.
[17] Kolay, P.K. and Suraya, N.B.R., "Stabilization of Organic Soil by
Different Types of Stabilizer," International Conference on Civil
Engineering in the New Millennium: Opportunities and Challenges
(CENeM-2007), BESU, Shibpur, India, 2007.
[18] Eskioglou, P. and Oikonomou, N., "Protection of Environment by the
use of Fly Ash in Road Construction," Global NEST Journal, vol. 10,
No. 1, pp. 108-113, 2008.
[19] ASTM D 2974., "Standard Test Method for Moisture, Ash, and Organic
Matter of Peat and other Organic Soils". Annual Book of ASTM
Standards, ASTM, Philadelphia, USA, 2000.
[20] ASTM D 4318., "Standard Test Method for Liquid Limit, Plastic and
Plasticity Index of Soils," Annual Book of ASTM Standards, ASTM,
Philadelphia, USA. vol. 04.08, 1994.
[21] Skempton, A.W. and Petley, D.J., "Ignition loss and other properties of
peats and clays from Avonmouth, King-s Lynn and Cranberry Moss".
Geotechnique, vol. 20, No. 4, pp. 343-356, 1970.
[22] ASTM D 1997-91., "Standard Test Method for Laboratory Determination
of the Fiber Content of Peat Samples by Dry Mass," Annual Book of
ASTM Standards. ASTM. Philadelphia, USA, 1996.
[23] ASTM D 422 63., "Standard Test Method for Specific Gravity of Soils,"
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, ASTM, Philadelphia, USA. vol.
04.08; 80-83, 1994.
[24] BS 1377. Part 1-4., "Soils for civil engineering purposes," British
Standards Institution. London, UK, 1990.
[25] ASTM D 698-91., "Test Method for Laboratory Compaction
Characteristics of Soils Using Standard Effort, 600kN m/m3," Annual
Book of ASTM Standards, ASTM, Philadelphia, USA. vol. 04.08, pp.
69-76, 1994.
[26] ASTM D 2166., "Standard Test Method for Unconfined Compressive
Strength of Cohesive Soil," Annual Book of ASTM Standards. ASTM.
Philadelphia, USA, 2000.
[27] Von Post, L., "Sveriges Geologiska Unders├©knings torvinventering och
nogra av dess hittils vunna resultat (SGU peat inventory and some
preliminary results," Svenska Mosskulturf├©reningens Tidsskrift, vol. 36,
J├©nk├©ping, Sweden, 1922.
[28] ASTM D 2607-69., "Classification of Peats, Mosses, Humus, and Related
Products". Annual Book of ASTM Standards, ASTM, Philadelphia, USA,
1990.
[29] Den Haan, E.J., "An overview of the mechanical behavior of peats and
organic soils and some appropriate construction techniques," In Proc. of
the Conf. on Recent Advances in Soft Soil Engineering, Kuching,
Malaysia, Huat and Bahia (Eds), vol. 1, pp. 17-45, 1997.
[30] ASTM C 618., "Specification for Coal Fly Ash and Raw or Calcined
Natural Pozzolanic for Use as a Mineral Admixture in Portland Cement
Concrete," Annual Book of ASTM Standards, ASTM, Philadelphia,
USA, 1994.