Potassium Chloride Treatment to Control Alkali Induced Heave in Black Cotton Soil

Abstract

The results presented in this paper shows that high concentrations of sodium hydroxide causes abnormal changes on the volume change behaviour of illite–smectite (interstratified mineral) soil due to mineralogical changes. The higher swell that occurs is shown in the form of a new second stage of swelling. Increase in negative charges on soil particles and mineralogical changes after interaction with soil, respectively, are responsible for the swelling in these two stages. However, potassium hydroxide does not induce such high swelling in soils. This is mainly due to the fixation of potassium ions. Hence an attempt has been made to control the swelling induced by sodium hydroxide by making used of potassium chloride as an additive. Potassium fixation which is not substantial at neutral pH is favoured at higher pH Addition of potassium chloride salt solution (as 2 and 5% solution) can reduce only the first stage of swelling by linking the unit layers of mineral by reducing development diffuse double layer near clay surface. Potassium chloride is unable to prevent the formation of mineralogical alteration due to soil alkali interaction and hence the swelling associated with mineralogical changes. X-ray diffraction studies have revealed that mineralogical changes leading to formation of zeolite by soil alkali interaction is not inhibited by potassium ions. Morphological changes studied by scanning electron microscope corroborate these observations. Also the compressibility of soil which is increased in alkali solution is reduced in the presence of potassium salts. This reduction is due to reduction in the first stage of swelling.