Deformation Behavior of Lignosulfonate-Treated Sandy Silt under Cyclic Loading

Although many traditional soil stabilizers (e.g., lime, cement, gypsum, and fly ash) have been widely and effectively used for ground improvement, they often adversely affect the surrounding soil and groundwater environment. Moreover, traditionally treated soils have shown excessive brittle behavior, especially under cyclic loads, which is often undesirable for structures such as rail embankments and airport runways. To establish an alternative stabilizer that could overcome these problems, this paper presents the results of a series of cyclic triaxial tests on the use of lignosulfonate (a by-product of the timber industry), an environmentally friendly soil stabilizer effective for treating fine sandy silt that formed the bulk of the embankment fill at Penrith, Australia. The influence of lignosulfonate on the stress-strain behavior, resilient modulus, and excess pore pressure development of the treated soil is discussed. (C) 2014 American Society of Civil Engineers.