1. What is Lime Stabilization?

Lime stabilization is a soil improvement technique that involves adding lime to soil to enhance its engineering properties. It increases soil strength, reduces plasticity, and improves workability for construction projects.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the lime stabilization formula:

Where:

• \( \text{Soil Weight} \) — Weight of soil in tons
• \( \text{Requirement} \) — Lime requirement percentage

Explanation: The formula calculates the amount of lime needed as a percentage of the total soil weight for effective stabilization.

3. Importance of Lime Stabilization

Details: Proper lime stabilization is essential for creating stable subgrades, reducing soil swelling, improving load-bearing capacity, and ensuring long-term durability of paved surfaces.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter soil weight in tons and lime requirement in percentage. Both values must be positive numbers for accurate calculation.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What types of soil are suitable for lime stabilization?
A: Lime stabilization works best with clayey soils that have high plasticity index. It is less effective with sandy or non-plastic soils.

Q2: How is the lime requirement percentage determined?
A: The lime requirement is typically determined through laboratory tests such as Eades and Grim pH test or soil-lime mixture strength tests.

Q3: What's the typical range for lime requirement?
A: Lime requirements typically range from 2% to 8% of the dry weight of soil, depending on soil type and desired engineering properties.

Q4: How long does lime stabilization take to cure?
A: The curing process typically takes 3-7 days, during which the soil-lime mixture should be kept moist and compacted to achieve optimal strength.

Q5: Are there environmental considerations for lime stabilization?
A: Yes, lime can affect soil pH and local vegetation. Proper handling and application are necessary to minimize environmental impact.