Lime stabilization is a sustainable technique due to its use of local materials, increased durability, reduced maintenance, and improved resistance to water action. This paper examines the impact of lime stabilization on the mechanical, microscopic, and mineralogical properties of a tropical soil. Two types of lime, calcitic and dolomitic, were tested at 3% and 5% by weight. Compressive, indirect tensile and flexural test results and statistical analysis revealed that calcitic lime mixtures had higher strength and stiffness, whereas dolomitic lime mixtures exhibited greater deformability with higher tensile strain at break. Scanning electron microscopy indicated that the soil’s porous matrix closed within 7 days for both lime types due to flocculation, with increased matrix interlocking over time. The calcitic lime mixture developed a more closed matrix compared to the dolomitic lime, which showed weaker cementing. X-ray diffraction analysis indicated higher consumption of clay minerals and a notable reduction in calcium hydroxide peaks in the lime-treated soils. The study concludes that calcitic lime provides better pavement performance for stabilizing the soil, enhancing its engineering properties while also being sustainable by reducing the need for raw material extraction and improving resilience to climate-related issues such as floods.
This study investigates the rheological behavior of oil well cement pastes (OWCPs) modified with core/shell TiO2@SiO2 (nTS) nanoparticles and polycarboxylate-ether (PCE) superplasticizers at different temperatures (25, 45, and 60 °C). Results show that nTS particles increased static and dynamic yield stresses and the apparent viscosity of the cement slurries due to an increased solid volume fraction and reduced free water availability. The increase in the slurry dispersion by adding PCE superplasticizers enhanced the effect of the nanoparticles on the rheological parameters. Oscillation rheometry demonstrated that nTS nanoparticles enhanced the structural buildup, while PCE retarded hydration. Furthermore, slurries hydrated at 60 °C experienced higher initial values of the elastic modulus and a faster exponential increase in this rheological parameter due to the acceleration of the cement hydration.