Influence of Micro Silica on Soil Stability and Plasticity: An Experimental Study

This experimental study investigates the effect of micro silica addition on the engineering properties of soil, focusing on parameters such as specific gravity, plastic limit, liquid limit, plasticity index, maximum dry density (MDD), and optimum moisture content (OMC). The results indicate that micro silica significantly influences soil characteristics, improving its stability while reducing plasticity. As micro silica content increased, the specific gravity initially decreased but later increased, showing a complex interaction between soil and micro silica. The plastic limit consistently decreased with increasing micro silica, indicating reduced soil plasticity and enhanced stability. Similarly, the liquid limit dropped from 62% to 52.4%, demonstrating the material’s effect in decreasing water retention capacity and enhancing soil rigidity. The plasticity index showed an increase up to 20% micro silica, after which it slightly decreased, suggesting a nuanced relationship. The MDD initially decreased but showed slight increases at 20% and 30% micro silica before decreasing again at higher concentrations. OMC displayed fluctuations, with a peak at 10% micro silica, indicating varying moisture requirements for compaction. Overall, while micro silica enhances the soil’s properties by reducing plasticity and increasing stability, the non-linear trends in specific gravity, MDD, and OMC suggest the need for further optimization in geotechnical applications.