Investigation on the micro–macro properties of ionic soil stabilizer and inorganic materials treated saline soil

Saline soil poses challenges in engineering constructions such as roads, tunnels, and dams and is widely distributed globally, especially in the northwest of China. This study aims to investigate the stabilization effect and mechanism achieved by using an ionic soil stabilizer in combination with lime and fly ash to stabilize saline soil. Standard curing and rapid curing were conducted on stabilized specimens. After curing, unconfined compression tests, scanning electron microscopy, and mercury intrusion porosimetry were employed to investigate the mechanical and microstructural properties of stabilized soil. The results indicate that after treatment with these stabilizers, the strength of stabilized soil can be effectively improved. After long-term curing, the unconfined compressive strength of stabilized specimens reached up to 7455 kPa, corresponding to increases of approximately 51–54 times compared to the strength of specimens before curing. A series of reactions between these stabilizers and soil result in a denser microstructure and better integrity. The relationship between standard curing time and rapid curing time was established based on unconfined compressive strength and microstructural parameters. The mechanism of stabilization processes was revealed, and the proposed rapid curing substitution for standard curing provides relevant reference and guidance for future research.