Microfabric and mineralogical studies using sem and xrd on the lithomargic clay stabilized with cement and quarry dust

The infrastructural development activities due to rapid urbanization, low lying agricultural and marshy lands in and around Mangalore (India) are being converted into estates with locally available lithomargic clay. These filled up areas pose problems of low bearing capacity as well as excessive settlements. As long as this soil is confined and dry, there is a very little or no problem, when it comes in contact with water, it loses its strength. The engineering properties of this soil are enhanced by the addition of additives (cement, quarry dust and quarry dust +cement). In the present study the microfabric and mineralogical aspects of the stabilized lithomargic clay is studied using Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and X-ray diffractometer (XRD). The XRD analysis of lithomargic clay stabilized with cement, revealed the formation ettringite, CSH and CAH. The SEM analysis revealed change in the soil structure due to the addition of cement and quarry dust.