Physical and Geotechnical Properties of Tropical Peat and Its Stabilization

Abstract

The chapter presents the physical and engineering properties of tropical peat treated with various types of stabilizers. Quick lime (QL), fly ash (FA), and ordinary Portland cement (OPC) were used as stabilizers. The amounts of QL, FA, and OPC added with the peat samples are in the range of 2-8, 5-20, and 5-20%, respectively. Various physical or index and engineering tests have been conducted to characterize the peat samples. Unconfined compressive strength (UCS) tests were conducted on original and treated peat samples cured for 7, 14, and 28 days. The results show that the UCS value increases with the increase of all stabilizers used and with curing period. The UCS tests were also conducted on the peat samples with the combination of QL and FA to study the combined effects of the stabilizers. The present study established different correlations between physical and engineering properties of original peat and UCS results on treated peat samples with different types of stabilizers. Geotechnical engineers can refer to these correlations to determine the bearing capacity of treated peat. In addition, scanning electron microscope (SEM) studies were conducted on original and treated peat samples to investigate the microstructure of the samples.

Segregation Peat Fiber and Pre- Consolidation Pressure Effect on the Physical Properties of Reconstituted Peat Soil

“…Kalantari and Prasad [12] have been proved that the sizes of tropical peat commonly are between 0.006mm to 5.000mm. Kolay and Taib [13] had mentioned the physical features is very important and useful such as colour, decomposition level, water content and organic contents and should be elaborated in a full description of peat soil. The physical features are totally influenced by the main element of peat formation such as mineral content, organic content, moisture and air.…”

“…The specific gravity of peat is profoundly affected by its percentage and composition of the inorganic component. It is corresponding to the degree of mineral content and decomposition of peat Kolay and Taib [13]. A higher degree of decomposition and mineral content stipulate to the higher specific gravity.…”

“…Rahman and Chan [14] stated that peat contains soil fabric, characterized by organic coarse particles, holds a considerable amount of water because the course particles are generally very loose, and the organic particle is hollow and largely full with water. In addition, Kolay and Taib [13] had accredited the peat that contains high fiber can contributed to high percentage of liquid limit due to high water absorption capacity. Figure 9 showed the specific gravity results recorded by undisturbed peat sample and the reconstituted peat samples.…”

Young’s Modulus of Peat Soil Under Cyclic Loading

“…Assessment on the geotechnical properties of peats is made complex by its high-water content and compressibility, as well as its organic composition [6]. Acknowledging the high compressibility of peats and the need to break fibres during sampling makes obtaining high quality samples difficult and disturbed samples may display non-conservative parameters of stability in the assessments especially when it comes to an increased in strength.…”

“…Researcher in their study stated, the applicability of testing itself depend on peat conditions. On the other hand, [6] affirmed that, all shear strength tests should be performed on undisturbed samples, either consolidated drained or consolidated undrained with measurement of pore water pressure. The increasing need for regional development has led engineers to find safer ways to construct the transportation infrastructures on soft soils.…”