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Comparison of Whole Rock XRF and Portable XRF for Quantifying Calcium-Based Stabilizers in Chemically Treated Soil

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Abstract

Problematic subgrade soils are commonly stabilized with additives such as lime, cement kiln dust, and fly ash to improve their mechanical behavior. To reduce costly repairs post-construction, it is important to control the amount and uniformity of chemical stabilizer across the stabilized layer. Currently, there are no routine in field quality control techniques for assessing stabilizer content. This study was conducted to evaluate Whole Rock (WRA) and portable X-ray fluorescence (PXRF) spectrometry techniques for subgrade soil stabilization quality control. To accomplish this, two single-mineral based clays (kaolinite and bentonite) and a silty sand were mixed with four different calcium (CaO)-based additives: lime, cement kiln dust, fly ash (Class C), and Portland cement to achieve stabilizer contents (SCs) ranging from 0 to 64%. The deviations between stabilizer content determined using WRA and actual stabilizer content were found to be minimal and nearly normally distributed, indicating the high accuracy of the WRA measurements. The deviations between PXRF measurements and actual stabilizer content, while low, were higher than those found using WRA. Additionally, the influence of other factors, i.e., sample preparation method, particle size, scan technique, and scan duration, on the accuracy and precision of PXRF was investigated. The results revealed particle size to be the only significant variable affecting the accuracy of the PXRF measurement. Higher accuracy was obtained when soil was processed to pass a #40 sieve or finer. Results from this study identify an efficient method for determining SC in the field, leading to safer, more reliable roadways.

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Acknowledgements

Financial support for this study was provided by SPR Grant 2310 from the Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT). This funding is gratefully acknowledged. However, the opinions, conclusions, and recommendations in this paper do not necessarily represent those of the sponsors.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. United States Navy, 1600 Seabee Drive, Bldg. 3889, Virginia Beach, VA, 23459–2846, USA

    N. J. Ferraro

  2. VALENTIN TP, Alfortville, Île-de-France, France

    Theo Van Hemelryck

  3. Department of Civil Engineering and Environmental Science, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK, 73019, USA

    Michelle Basham

  4. Stantec, 801 S. Figueroa St. Suite 300, Los Angeles, CA, 90017, USA

    Kwestan Salimi

  5. Department of Civil Engineering and Environmental Science, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK, 73019, USA

    Amy B. Cerato

  6. Department of Civil Engineering and Environmental Science, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK, 73019, USA

    Gerald A. Miller

  7. Building and Earth, 5545 Derby Drive, Birmingham, AL, 35173, USA

    R. W. Collins

  8. ARO GEAG Geotechnical Engineering Department, Geosyntec Consultants, 1255 Roberts Blvd. NW, Suite 200, Kennesaw, GA, 30144, United States

    Michelle Basham

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  1. N. J. Ferraro
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Contributions

NF and TH acquired, analyzed, and interpreted data; M.B. and K.S. analyzed and interpreted data and drafted the work; AC and GM conceptualized the research area, secured funding, analyzed and interpreted data, and substantially revised draft; AC is the corresponding author; RC acquired data. All agree to be personally accountable for their contributions and ensure questions related to the accuracy or integrity of any part of the work are appropriately investigated, resolved and the resolution documented in the literature.

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Correspondence to Amy B. Cerato.

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Ferraro, N.J., Van Hemelryck, T., Basham, M. et al. Comparison of Whole Rock XRF and Portable XRF for Quantifying Calcium-Based Stabilizers in Chemically Treated Soil. Transp. Infrastruct. Geotech. (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40515-024-00409-3

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