Influence of Multiple Factors on the Workability and Early Strength Development of Alkali-Activated Fly Ash and Slag-Based Geopolymer-Stabilized Soil

The complexity of composite geopolymer materials results in instability in the setting and hardening of geopolymer-stabilized soil. In order to determine the appropriate mix proportion scheme for composite geopolymer-stabilized soil, this study investigated the effects of two preparation methods, fly ash/slag ratio and alkali activator modulus, on workability and strength development trends in alkali-excited fly ash and slag-based geopolymer-stabilized soil. The results showed that the high ambient temperatures created by the one-step method were more conducive to the setting and hardening of the geopolymer-stabilized soil; its 3 d/28 d UCS (unconfined compression strength) ratio was 62.43–78.60%, and its 7 d/28 d UCS ratio was 70.37–83.63%. With increases of the alkali activator modulus or the proportion of fly ash, the setting time of stabilized soil was gradually prolonged, and its fluidity increased. Meanwhile, the strength development of stabilized soil was significantly affected by the proportion of fly ash and the alkali activator modulus; the maximum UCS value was obtained at II-2-O, prepared by the one-step method, with an alkali activator modulus of 1.2 and a fly ash/slag ratio of 20/80. Specifically, the 3, 7, and 28 d UCS values of II-2-O were 1.65, 1.89, and 2.26 MPa, respectively, and its 3 d/28 d UCS ratio and 7 d/28 d UCS ratio were 73.01% and 83.63%, respectively. These results will be of great importance in further research on (and construction guidance of) composite geopolymer-stabilized soil.