THE EFFECT OF CEMENT TO DEVELOP STRENGTH OF GRATI SOFT SOIL

Abstract

Soft soils are identified as soils with high compression and low strength in high water content. Various methods are used to decrease compressibility and increase the bearing capacity. The Portland Cement (PC) as a soft soil stabilization material has been known for a long time. Although its costis higher than lime or waste material such as fly ash, the content of the compounds in the cement is complete and the quality is more assured,so cement is still very reliable. This research aims to investigate the improvement in the strength of soft soils after the admixtureof cement and changes in physical properties. Laboratory experiments are carried out such as a physical properties test, compaction, and CBR tests to determine the effects of cement content of 5%, 8%, 12%, and 15%. Furthermore, triaxial and unconfined compressive tests are also conducted to investigate several aspects related to strength, such as the curing time.Based on the triaxial test, there is an improvement in the shear strength of the soil,which the friction angle increases;nevertheless, the cohesion decreases.Theshear strength and stiffness are directly proportional to the percentage of cement in the soil.