Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Effects of carbonation on chemo-mechanical behaviour of lime-treated soils

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Bulletin of Engineering Geology and the Environment Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

In the paper, a multi-scale experimental investigation on the occurrence of carbonation and its effect on chemo-mechanical behaviour of lime-treated soil has been presented. Carbonation affects chemo-mineralogical evolution of lime-treated soils depending on the time scale at which reaction mechanism takes place. In the short term, a progressive carbonation of portlandite is responsible for the formation of calcium carbonate with consumption of available lime for pozzolanic reactions (lime carbonation). In the long term, carbonation of the secondary phases resulting from pozzolanic reactions weakens the bonding effects induced by hydrated compounds (carbonation of secondary reaction products). Mineralogical and microstructural features of lime-treated and carbonated samples have been monitored at increasing curing times by means of microstructural analyses. Triaxial drained compression tests have been performed on treated samples cured in different conditions for short and long term. Mineralogical investigations showed precipitation of calcium carbonate for lime-treated samples exposed to atmospheric CO2 since the very short term. Exposure of lime-treated sample to CO2 after precipitation of hydrated phases favoured decalcification of cementitious compounds and formation of calcium carbonate. In both cases, precipitation of calcite relevantly affects the mechanical behaviour of lime-treated samples. From the observed behaviours, it will be possible to take into account relevant factors for performing the best practice finalized to efficient and durable soil treatment.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11
Fig. 12
Fig. 13
Fig. 14

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Alexander M, Bertron A, De Belie N (2013) Performance of cement- based materials in aggressive aqueous environments, State-of-the-Art Report, RILEM TC 211 – PAE, Series: RILEM State-of-the-Art Reports, Vol. 10, Springer, New York

  • Al-Mukhtar M, Lasledj A, Alcover JF (2010) Behaviour and mineralogy changes in lime-treated expansive soil at 20°C. Applied Clay Science 191-198

  • Arandigoyen M, Bicer-Simsir B, Alvarez JI, Lange DA (2006) Variation of microstructure with carbonation in lime and blended pastes. Appl Surf Sci 252:7562–7571

    Google Scholar 

  • ASTM D 4972 (2001) Standard test method for pH of soils, ASTM Annual Book of ASTM standard, Section 4: Construction, vol 04.09.: Soil and rock (II): D4943-latest; Geosynthetics, American Society for Testing and Materials, Philadelphia

  • ASTM D 698-91e1 (2000) Standard test method for laboratory compaction characteristic of soil using standard effort, ASTM Annual Book of ASTM standard, Section 4: Construction, vol 04.08: Soil and rock (I): D420-D4914., American Society for Testing and Materials, Philadelphia

  • Aversa S, Vinale F (1995) Improvements to a stress-path triaxial cell. Geotech Test J 18(1):116–120

    Google Scholar 

  • Bagonza S, Peete JM, Freer-Hewish R, Newill D (1987) In: 1987 (ed) Carbonation of stabilized soil-cement and soil-lime mixture. University of Bath, Proceeding of Seminar PTRC Transport and Planning Summer Annual Meeting, pp 29–48

    Google Scholar 

  • Bell FG (1996) Lime stabilization of clay minerals and soils. Eng Geol 42:223–237

    Google Scholar 

  • Boardman DI, Glendinning S, Rogers CD (2001) Development of stabilisation and solidification in lime-clay mixes. Geotechnique 50. No. 6:533–543

    Google Scholar 

  • Brandl H (1981) Alteration of soil parameters by stabilization with lime. Proc. 10th Int. Conf. Soil Mech. Found. Eng., Stockholm, 3, 587–594

  • Cazalla O, Rodrıguez Navarro C, Sebastian E, Cultrone G, de la Torre MJ (2001) Aging of lime putty: effect on traditional lime mortar carbonation. J Am Ceram Soc 83(5):1070–1076

    Google Scholar 

  • Cecconi M, Cambi C, Carrisi S, Deneele D, Vitale E, Russo G (2020) Sustainable improvement of zeolitic pyroclastic soils for the preservation of historical sites. Appl Sci 10:899. https://doi.org/10.3390/app10030899

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chakraborty S, Nair S (2018) Impact of different hydrated cementitious phases on moisture-induced damage in lime-stabilised subgrade soils. Road Mater Pavement Des 19(6):1389–1405. https://doi.org/10.1080/14680629.2017.1314222

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chakraborty S, Nair S (2020) Impact of curing time on moistureinduced damage in lime-treated soils. Int J Pavement Eng 21(2):215–227. https://doi.org/10.1080/10298436.2018.1453068

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chemeda YC, Deneele D, Christidis GE, Ouvrard G (2015) Influence of hydrated lime on the surface properties and interaction of kaolinite particles. Appl Clay Sci 107:1–13

    Google Scholar 

  • Cizer O, Van Balen K, Van Gemert D (2006) Carbonation reaction of lime hydrate and hydraulic binders at 20°C. First International Conference on Accelerated Carbonation for Environmental and Materials Engineering, The Royal Society, London 12-14 June 2006

  • Cuisinier O, Deneele D (2008) Long-term behaviour of lime-treated expansive soil submitted to cyclic wetting and drying. First European Conference on Unsaturated Soil, 2–4 July 2008, Durham, UK, 2008, pp. 327–333

  • De Bel R, Bollens Q, Duvigneaud PH, Verbrugge JC (2005) Influence of curing time, percolation and temperature on the compressive strength of a loam treated with lime. Paper n° C022, International Symposium TREMTI. Association Mondiale de la Route (PIARC), Paris

  • De Windt L, Deneele D, Maubec N (2014) Kinetics of lime/bentonite pozzolanic reactions at 20 and 50°C: batch tests and modeling. Cem Concr Res 59:34–42

    Google Scholar 

  • Delage P, Pellerin FM (1984) Influence de la lyophilisation sur la structure d’une argile sensible du Québec. Clay Miner 19:151–160

    Google Scholar 

  • Deneele D, Nael J, Dony A, Colin J, Gontran H, Didier L (2013) La carbonatation d’un sol traite a la chaux–approche experimentale. Colloque TerDOUEST 2013 Seminar

  • Diamond S, Kinter EB (1965) Mechanisms of soil-lime stabilization: an interpretative review. Presentation at the 44th Annual Meeting, Highway Research Board, 92, Washington

  • Eades JL, Grim RE (1960) Reactions of hydrated lime with pure clay minerals in soil stabilization. Highw Res Board Bull 262:51–53

    Google Scholar 

  • Fernández-Bertos M, Simons SJR, Hills CD, Carey PJ (2004) A review of accelerated carbonation technology in the treatment of cement-based materials and sequestration of CO2. J Hazard Mater B112:193–205

    Google Scholar 

  • Fukue M, Nakamura T, Kato Y (1999) Cementation of soils due to calcium carbonate. Soils Found 39(6):55–64

    Google Scholar 

  • Glenn GR, Handy RL (1963) Lime-clay mineral reaction products. Presentation at the 42nd annual meeting Highway Research Board, Washington, D.C.

  • Guidobaldi G, Cambi C, Cecconi M, Comodi P, Deneele D, Paris M, Russo G, Vitale E, Zucchini A (2018) Chemo-mineralogical evolution and microstructural modifications of a lime treated pyroclastic soil. Eng Geol 245:333–343

    Google Scholar 

  • Guidobaldi G, Cambi C, Cecconi M, Deneele D, Paris M, Russo G, Vitale E (2017) Multi-scale analysis of the mechanical improvement induced by lime addition on a pyroclastic soil. Eng Geol 221:193–201

    Google Scholar 

  • Guney Y, Sari D, Cetin M, Tuncan M (2007) Impact of cyclic wetting-drying on swelling behaviour of lime-stabilized soil. Build Environ 42:681–688

    Google Scholar 

  • Houst YF (1996) The role of moisture in the carbonation of cementitious materials. Internationale Zeitschrift für Bauinstandsetzen 2:49–66

    Google Scholar 

  • Ingles OG, Metcalf JB (1972) Soil stabilization–principles and practice. Butterworth, Sydney, pp 103–127

    Google Scholar 

  • Ismeik M, Shaqour F (2020) Effectiveness of lime in stabilising subgrade soils subjected to freeze–thaw cycles. Road Mater Pavement Des 21:1,42–1,60. https://doi.org/10.1080/14680629.2018.1479289

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Le Runigo B, Cuisinier O, Cui YJ, Deneele D, Ferber V (2009) Impact of the initial state on fabric and permeability of a lime treated silt under long term leaching. Can Geotech J 46:1243–1257

    Google Scholar 

  • Little DN (1995) Handbook for stabilization of pavement subgrades and base courses with lime. Kendall/Hunt, Iowa

    Google Scholar 

  • Locat J, Tremblay H, Leroueil S (1996) Mechanical and hydraulic behaviour of a soft inorganic clay treated with lime. Can Geotech J 33(4):654–669

    Google Scholar 

  • Maubec N, Deneele D, Ouvrard G (2017) Influence of the clay type on the strength evolution of lime treated material. Appl Clay Sci 137:107–114

    Google Scholar 

  • Mc Callister LD, Petry TM (1992) Leach tests on lime-treated clays. Geotech Test J 15(2):106–114

    Google Scholar 

  • Metcalf JB (1977) Principles and application of cement and lime stabilization. Research Rep. No. 49, Australian Road Research Board

  • Metelková Z, Boháč J, Přikryl R, Sedlářová I (2012) Maturation of loess treated with variable lime admixture: pore space textural evolution and related phase changes. Appl Clay Sci 61:37–43

    Google Scholar 

  • Moghal AAB, Vydehi V, Moghal MB, Almatrudi R, AlMajed A, Al-Shamrani MA (2020) Effect of calcium-based derivatives on consolidation, strength, and lime-leachability behavior of expansive soil. J Mater Civ Eng 2020 32(4):0402004

    Google Scholar 

  • Moorehead DR (1986) Cementation by the carbonation of hydrated lime. Cem Concr Res 16:700–708

    Google Scholar 

  • Morandeau A, Thiéry M, Dangla P (2014) Investigation of the carbonation mechanism of CH and C-S-H in terms of kinetics, microstructure changes and moisture properties. Cem Concr Res 56:153–170

    Google Scholar 

  • Nagaraj TS (1964) Soil structure and strength characteristics of compacted clay. Géotechnique 14(2):103–114

    Google Scholar 

  • Netterberg F, Paige-Green P (1984) Carbonation of lime and cement stabilized layers in road construction. NITRR Technical Report RS/3/84, National Institute for Transport And Road Research, Pretoria

  • Paige-Green, P., Netterberg, F., Sampson, L.R., 1990. The carbonation of chemically stabilized road construction materials: guide to its identification and treatment. Project Report No DPVT-123, CSIR- ISBN 0-7988-4961-4, Division of Roads and Transport Technology, Pretoria

  • Pesce GL (2014) Study of carbonation in novel lime based materials. PhD Thesis, University of Bath

  • Pomakhina E, Deneele D, Gaillot AC, Paris M, Ouvrard G (2012) 29Si solid state NMR investigation of pozzolanic reaction occurring in lime trated Ca-bentonite. Cem Concr Res 14:626–632

    Google Scholar 

  • Rao SM, Shivananda P (2005) Role of curing temperature in progress of lime-soil reactions. Geotech Geol Eng 23(1):79–85

    Google Scholar 

  • Richardson M (1998) Carbonation of reinforced concrete: its causes and management. CITIS Ltd., London

    Google Scholar 

  • Rogers CDF, Glendinning S (1996) Modification of clay soils using lime. In lime stabilisation, C.D.F. Rogers, S. Glendinning and N. Dixon (eds.), 99-112, Thomas Telford

  • Rojas MF, Cabrera J (2002) The effect of temperature on the hydration rate and stability of the hydration phases of metakaolin-lime-water systems. Cem Concr Res 32(1):133–138

    Google Scholar 

  • Rosone M, Celauro C, Ferrari A (2020) Microstructure and shear strength evolution of a lime-treated clay for use in road construction. Int J Pavement Eng 21(9):1147–1158. https://doi.org/10.1080/10298436.2018.1524144

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Russo G (2019) Microstructural investigations as a key for understanding the chemo-mechanical response of lime-treated soils. Riv Ital di Geotecnica 2019(1):100–114

    Google Scholar 

  • Russo G, Modoni G (2013) Fabric changes induced by lime addition on a compacted alluvial soil. Géotech Lett 3:93–97

    Google Scholar 

  • Russo G, Vitale E, Cecconi M, Pane V, Deneele D, Cambi C, Guidobaldi G (2015) Microstructure insights in mechanical improvement of a lime-stabilised pyroclastic soil. Volcanic Rocksand Soils, Isle of Ischia, Italy, September 24-25, 2015, ISBN 978-1-138-02886-9

  • Russo G (2016) Chemo-physical evolution and microstructure features of lime treated soils. 3rd European Conference on Unsaturated Soils, E-UNSAT 2016. E3S Web of Conferences Volume 9, 12 September 2016. https://doi.org/10.1051/e3sconf/20160904008

  • Russo G, Dal Vecchio S, Mascolo G (2007) Microstructure of a lime stabilised compacted silt. In: Schanz T (ed) Experimental unsaturated soil mechanics. Springer, Berlin Heidelberg, pp 49–56

    Google Scholar 

  • Sherwood TP (1993) Soil stabilization with cement and lime: state of the art review. HMSO Books, London

    Google Scholar 

  • Sivapullaiah PV, Sridharan A, Ramesh AN (2000) Strength behaviour of lime treated soils in the presence of sulphate. Can Geotech J 37:1358–1367

    Google Scholar 

  • Stoltz G, Cuisinier O, Masrouri F (2014) Weathering of a lime treated clayey soil by drying and wetting cycles. Eng Geol 181:281–289

    Google Scholar 

  • Tang AM, Vu MN, Cui YJ (2011) Effects of the maximum soil aggregates size and cyclic wetting–drying on the stiffness of a lime-treated clayey soil. Geotechnique 61(5):421–429

    Google Scholar 

  • Thompson MR, Dempsey BJ (1969) Autogeneous healing of lime soil mixture. Highway Research Record No 263

  • Tremblay H, Leroueil S, Locat J (2001) Mechanical improvement and vertical yield stress prediction of clayey soils from eastern Canada treated with lime or cement. Can Geotech J 38:567–579

    Google Scholar 

  • UNI EN 13295:2005. Prodotti e sistemi per la protezione e la riparazione delle strutture di calcestruzzo - Metodi di prova-Determinazione della resistenza alla carbonatazione

  • Van Balen K (2005) Carbonation reaction of lime, kinetics at ambient temperature. Cem Concr Res 35:647–657

    Google Scholar 

  • Van Balen K, Van Gemert D (1994) Modeling lime mortar carbonation. Mater Struct 27:393–398

    Google Scholar 

  • Vitale E, Deneele D, Russo G, Ouvrard G (2016a) Short term effects on physical properties of lime treated kaolin. Appl Clay Sci 132–133:223–231

    Google Scholar 

  • Vitale E, Russo G, Deneele D (2016b) Multi-scale analysis on the effects of lime treatment on a kaolinite soil. In: 1st IMEKO TC-4 International Workshop on Metrology for Geotechnics, Benevento, Italy, March 17–18, ISBN 978-92-990075-0-1

  • Vitale E, Cecconi M, Croce P, Deneele D, Pane V, Russo G, Vecchietti A (2016c) Influence of pore water chemistry on hydraulic conductivity of kaolinite suspensions. Procedia Eng 158:81–86

    Google Scholar 

  • Vitale E, Deneele D, Russo G (2016d) Multiscale analysis on the behaviour of a lime treated bentonite. Procedia Eng 158:87–91

    Google Scholar 

  • Vitale E, Deneele D, Paris M, Russo G (2017) Multi-scale analysis and time evolution of pozzolanic activity of lime treated clays. Appl Clay Sci 141:36–45

    Google Scholar 

  • Vitale E, Deneele D, Russo G, De Sarno D, Nicotera MV, Papa R, Urciuoli G (2019) Chemo-mechanical behavior of lightweight cemented soils. Acta Geotechica https://doi.org/10.1007/s11440-019-00797-8

  • Vitale E, Deneele D, Russo G (2020) Microstructural investigations on plasticity of lime-treated soils. Minerals 10:386

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhang W, Guo A, Lin C (2019) Effects of cyclic freeze and thaw on engineering properties of compacted loess and lime-stabilized loess. J Mater Civ Eng 2019 31(9):04019205

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Earth Science, Environment and Resources, University of Napoli Federico II, Naples, Italy

    E. Vitale & G. Russo

  2. GERS-LEE, Université Gustave Eiffel, IFSTTAR, F-44344, Bouguenais, France

    D. Deneele

  3. Institut des Matériaux Jean Rouxel (IMN), Université de Nantes, CNRS 44322, Nantes Cedex 3, France

    D. Deneele

Authors
  1. E. Vitale
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. D. Deneele
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. G. Russo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to G. Russo.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Vitale, E., Deneele, D. & Russo, G. Effects of carbonation on chemo-mechanical behaviour of lime-treated soils. Bull Eng Geol Environ 80, 2687–2700 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10064-020-02042-z

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10064-020-02042-z

Keywords

Search

Navigation