SOIL STABILIZATION. LIME USED FOR SOIL STABILIZATION

The stabilization of soils with lime has been extended to a broad range of projects including highways, airports, railways and building sites and its use is growing rapidly. Since quicklime is more dangerous to workmen and therefore more difficult to work with, hydrated lime is commonly used to modify lime-grained soils by the addition of three to eight percent lime by weight. When added to plastic soils, lime generally reduces the plasticity and increases the friability thus improving workability. Lime treatment also reduces both expansion and shrinkage of swelling soils and tends to form a barrier to keep excess water from reaching untreated subsoils. Lime stabilization also increases the strength of soils. Lime requirements and methods of applications are given.