Freezing-Thawing and Wetting-Drying Behavior of Clayey Soil Stabilized with Lime and Silica Fume

Soil stabilization is defined as improving the physical, chemical, hydraulic and mechanical properties of soilsthat are insufficient in terms of engineering properties. In this study, stabilization of high plasticity clayey soilwith silica fume and lime was investigated to examine strength and durability behavior of stabilized soil. Thetest samples were prepared by adding 5%, 10%, 15% and 20% of silica fume, without lime and with 6% limeto the natural soil which is a high plasticity clay (CH) according to the Unified Soil Classification System. Thecuring time is 7 and 28 days. At the end of these curing periods, unconfined compressive strength tests wereperformed. After 28 days of curing, 12 wetting-drying and freezing-thawing cycles were completed anddurability behavior of the samples were examined. In the light of the obtained data, it was determined that SLSsamples containing silica fume and lime had higher strength values than SL samples containing only lime. Silicafume increase the strength values after curing periods and has positive effects on the soil durability in terms offreezing-thawing test.