The Effects of Cement Kiln Dust on the Soil Electrical Resistivity

Abstract

Electrical resistivity is a non-destructive, cost-effective and sensitive method to evaluate soil's physical and chemical properties. Electrical resistivity has been used widely in surface and subsurface exploration. The electrical resistivity is directly related to the subsurface geotechnical and geothermal properties like porosity, temperature, salinity and water content. Recently uses of waste material as an additive to improve the soil engineering properties are growing because of their cost-effectiveness. Cement Kiln Dust (CKD) is a waste material of the cement manufacturing process. CKD is widely used as an additive material in ground improvement to improve soil's geotechnical properties. This study is mainly focused on the effect of CKD on the electrical resistivity properties of the soil. In this study, the electrical resistivity of a natural soil slope treated with CKD and a test model in the laboratory was investigated. Besides, the effects of CKD on soil pH and electrical resistivity were studied by performing a series of tests to predict the soil's corrosivity potential. The soil was treated with 0, 5, 10 and 15% of CKD and the electrical resistivity of the soil was measured at different water contents, porosities and curing times. The results indicate that the soil's electrical resistivity increases by increasing the CKD content and curing time. Additionally, an increase in water content or porosity decreases the electrical resistivity of CKD treated soil. Furthermore, the electrical resistivity measurement is a practical method to determine the stabilized soil's geotechnical and geomechanical properties.