Chemical Compatibility of Lime Stabilized Indian Red Earth as Liner Material

Geotechnical liners are widely used to contain leachate generated within landfills and minimize the risk of sub-surface and underground water contamination. In this study, an attempt has been made to utilize locally available soil red earth as liner material. The collected red earth contains mostly quartz and kaolinitic minerals. Studies have shown that bentonite content higher than 20% by weight is not usually required. This study aims to assess the red earth with 20% by weight of bentonite as liner material. Further, the studies are being carried out to improve the amended material by stabilizing the mixture with 1% by weight of lime. The relative merits of these materials under different physico-chemical environments are studied. The assessment of the liner material is based on their basic and geotechnical properties. The studies reveal that the geotechnical properties of red earth with 20% by weight bentonite stabilized with 1% by weight of lime enhanced, particularly after curing for sufficient period. The pore fluids such as HCl and CCl ₄ increased volume change. The hydraulic conductivity of soils, which increased on treating with lime initially, decreased with curing. However, the hydraulic conductivity of stabilized soil increased in the presence of HCl and CCl ₄ . The strength of stabilized soil is affected with the fluids NaCl and HCl solutions.