Briefing: Common laboratory procedures to prepare and cure stabilised soil specimens: a short review

Abstract

Soil stabilisation is used extensively to improve the physical and mechanical properties of soils to achieve the desired strength and durability properties. During the design process, laboratory investigation is conducted firstly to obtain an enhancement in soil strength and stiffness, in addition to the type and amount of binder required. The methods of preparing and curing specimens of soil–binder mixtures directly influence the properties of the stabilised soils. The most common laboratory protocols used for preparing and curing the specimens of stabilised soil are presented in this short review. The review focuses on several aspects such as homogenisation of the natural soil, mixing type and duration, mould type, moulding techniques and curing time and condition. This review can assist various construction projects that deal with soil improvement to choose an appropriate method for preparing and curing a soil–binder mixture to simulate the field conditions as much as possible and obtain uniform soil–binder mixtures.