Lime-Stabilized Marine Soil: Evaluation of Strength and Engineering Properties for Coastal Construction

Mostafa Ibrahim Abdelaziz

doi:https://doi.org/10.47001/JAIET/2026.307002

Authors

Mostafa Ibrahim Abdelaziz

Department of Civil Engineering, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt

Abstract

Marine soils are widely encountered in coastal regions and are generally characterized by high compressibility, low shear strength, excessive moisture content, high plasticity, and poor load-bearing capacity, making them unsuitable for supporting civil engineering structures without prior treatment. These unfavorable geotechnical characteristics often lead to excessive settlement, instability, and reduced service life of foundations, embankments, pavements, and other coastal infrastructure. This study investigates the effectiveness of lime stabilization as a sustainable and economical ground improvement technique for enhancing the engineering properties of marine soil. Laboratory experiments were conducted on marine soil samples treated with varying percentages of hydrated lime to evaluate changes in their physical and mechanical properties. Standard geotechnical tests, including Atterberg limits, Standard Proctor compaction, Unconfined Compressive Strength (UCS), California Bearing Ratio (CBR), and shear strength tests, were performed to assess the influence of lime addition on soil behavior. The results demonstrate that lime treatment significantly reduces the plasticity index and moisture susceptibility while improving maximum dry density, bearing capacity, compressive strength, and overall soil stability. The improvement is primarily attributed to physicochemical reactions such as cation exchange, flocculation–agglomeration, and long-term pozzolanic reactions, which strengthen particle bonding and enhance soil structure. An optimum lime content was identified beyond which only marginal improvements were observed. The stabilized marine soil exhibited improved workability, reduced swelling potential, and enhanced durability under varying environmental conditions, making it suitable for coastal engineering applications. The findings confirm that lime stabilization provides a practical, cost-effective, and environmentally sustainable solution for improving weak marine soils and can significantly enhance the performance and longevity of foundations, embankments, road subgrades, and other infrastructure constructed in coastal regions.

Keywords

Marine Soil Lime Stabilization Soil Improvement Geotechnical Engineering Coastal Construction Unconfined Compressive Strength (UCS) California Bearing Ratio (CBR) Shear Strength Ground Improvement Soil Stabilization.

Citation of this Article

Mostafa Ibrahim Abdelaziz. (2026). Lime-Stabilized Marine Soil: Evaluation of Strength and Engineering Properties for Coastal Construction. Journal of Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technologies (JAIET). 3(7), 17-23. Article DOI: https://doi.org/10.47001/JAIET/2026.307002

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