PEAT SOIL STABILIZATION IN RAWA PENING SALATIGA CENTRAL JAVA USING SYNTHETIC GYPSUM AND SALT

Peat is known as a problematic soil due to its low bearing capacity as well as its high and long settlement process. Necessary treatment is needed to improve peat soil capability. One of the methods to improve peat soil characteristics is by adding mixed materials. In this study the added materials are synthetic gypsum (CaSO4.2H20) and salt (NaCl). The research was conducted in a Soil Mechanics Laboratory using a consolidation test and direct shear tests. This research aims to find out the effect of CaSO4.2H20 and NaCl on consolidation and shear strength parameters. The soil samples taken for consolidation and direct shear tests were original and treated peat soil. The gypsum synthesis doses varied between 10%, 15%, and 20%, whereas the salt varied between 2%, 4%, and 6%, calculated from the dry weight of peat soil. The mixing of soil and the added materials was carried out under optimum water conditions of Standard Proctor compaction results. After the consolidation and direct shear tests were completed, the Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) test was performed on the soil samples to determine the components of the peat soil on micron size. The addition of synthetic gypsum and salt resulted in the smallest Cc value of 0.0302 at 4% salt + 20% gypsum and the highest Cv value of 0.130 cm2/s at 6% salt + 20% gypsum. The addition of synthetic gypsum and salt mixture resulted in the highest cohesion, c value of 61,55 kPa at 6% salt + 15% gypsum and the greatest friction angle, ϕ value of 52.24° at 4% salt + 20% gypsum. NaCl gave better results than Gypsum in improving shear strength. A composition of 4%-6% of NaCl and 15%-20% of Gypsum is recommended, if NaCl and gypsum were to be applied simultaneously to improve shear strength.