New soil mixing procedures improve road stability and reduce construction costs.
The article evaluates how well soil and lime are mixed together to improve soil quality in Kansas. Tests were done on different soils treated with powdered quicklime or lime slurry. Results showed that reducing the mellowing period after mixing can weaken the soil. Two passes with a rotary mixer were found to be enough for effective mixing, but more mixing could increase strength. Mixing soil with lime slurry gave a more consistent result than using powdered quicklime. Recommendations include testing soil before deciding on the amount of lime needed, allowing time for the lime to react with the soil, and following specific mixing standards for better results.