Author(s): Ahmed El-Masry

Abstract: Sandy soils are widely encountered at construction sites and are frequently reused for temporary works such as working platforms, access roads, trench supports, and temporary foundations. However, untreated sandy soil often exhibits low cohesion, high permeability, and poor load-bearing capacity, limiting its direct application in construction activities. Cement stabilization has been extensively used to improve soil strength and durability, yet high cement contents increase cost and environmental burden. This study investigates the mechanical behavior of locally available sandy soil stabilized with low cement percentages for temporary construction applications. Sandy soil samples were stabilized using 2%, 4%, and 6% ordinary Portland cement by dry weight. Laboratory tests including particle size distribution, compaction characteristics, unconfined compressive strength, and California bearing ratio were conducted following standard procedures. Statistical analyses were applied to evaluate the significance of strength improvement with increasing cement content. Results demonstrated a substantial increase in unconfined compressive strength and bearing capacity even at low cement percentages. The unconfined compressive strength increased more than five times at 6% cement content compared to untreated soil, while California bearing ratio values showed marked improvement suitable for temporary load-bearing applications. Analysis of variance confirmed that cement content had a statistically significant effect on soil strength parameters. Regression analysis further established strong correlations between cement percentage and strength improvement. The findings indicate that low-percentage cement stabilization can significantly enhance the engineering performance of sandy soil without excessive material consumption. This approach offers a cost-effective and environmentally considerate solution for temporary construction works where permanent stabilization is not required. The research provides practical insight into optimizing cement content for short-term engineering applications while maintaining structural reliability and constructability.

DOI: 10.22271/27078388.2026.v7.i1a.57

Pages: 01-04 | Views: 25 | Downloads: 11

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