Shear strength and microstructure of a soil treated by magnesium potassium phosphate cement (MKPC)‎

Abstract EN

This paper aimed to use a low pH-cement for treatment of an acidic soil.

The soil was obtained from a depth of 70 cm below natural ground level.

The cement used is called magnesium potassium phosphate cement (MKPC) which is prepared by a combination of magnesium oxide (MgO) and mono potassium phosphate (KH2PO4).

Four cement doses ranged (0, 3.0, 5.0, and 7.0 %) were mixed by dry unit weigh of pure soil.

The evolution in compressive strength and microstructure of soil-MKPC mixture were studied in this paper.

The results show that a considerable growth in soil strength was obtained.

The micrographs exhibit formation of MKPC cement and reduction in voids (i.e.

densification of treated soil) as well as soil particles were glued together by cement formed