Bolstering Sandy Soil Stability: Evaluating Fly Ash Integration for Enhanced Shear Strength

Sand soil, inherently lacking cohesion and exhibiting poor gradation, is susceptible to soil shear stress. Congot Beach typifies such sand attributes, with small, rounded grains unevenly distributed, leading to diminished shear strength and land failure. To improve these properties, fly ash additives are utilized. This study investigates the stabilization of sand soil samples with varying fly ash proportions 10%, 12%, and 14% by weight—over curing periods of 3, 7, and 14 days. The aim is to assess the impact of fly ash on enhancing shear strength, measured through cohesion values and friction angles. Results demonstrate increased shear strength, particularly with 12% fly ash, supported by X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analyses. This highlights fly ash's effectiveness in stabilizing sandy soils, reducing soil instability and erosion risks.