Compression behavior and microstructural evolution of rice husk fiber-cement-stabilized dredged clay at high water content

This research explores the influence of incorporating rice husk fibers on the compression characteristics of cement-stabilized dredged clay. One-dimensional compression tests were performed indoors on cement-treated and untreated specimens with various rice husk fiber content, curing time, and water content. Test results indicated that the incorporation of rice husk fibers notably enhanced the compression yield stress (py), reaching its peak value at an optimal fiber content of 1.5% for specimens with 18.4% water content and 10% cement content cured for 28 days. An extended curing time significantly improved the compressibility behavior of cement-treated dredged clay, whereas higher water content exerted an adverse effect. The compression indexes (C’c and Cc) in the pre- and post-yield stages and swelling index (Cs) of the rice husk fiber-reinforced samples showed a decreasing trend, while the value of py increases, with significant changes observed within 7 days, followed by stabilization. The influence of water content on C’c and Cs is relatively minor compared with its pronounced effect on Cc and py. The combined use of rice husk fibers and cement offers a sustainable and technically viable approach for reducing the compssibility of dredged clay at high water content.