A Systematic Review of the Effects of Soil Stabilization on Soil Mechanical Properties: A Comparative Study of Fly Ash, Cement and Lime

The main purpose of this research was to systematically review studies on the effects of soil stabilization on the mechanical properties of soil using lime, cement, and fly ash. The systematic review was conducted following the systematic literature review methodology based on the PRISMA guidelines. The review was limited to articles published between 2013 and 2023. From the outcomes of the systematic review, it was found that soil stabilization using either lime, cement or fly ash has significant positive effects on the mechanical properties of soil. Precisely, the results indicated that cement, lime, and fly ash can significantly improve soil mechanical properties such as strength, permeability, and stability. Overall, fly ash was found to be the most effective soil stabilizing agent compared to lime and cement. However, it was concluded that whilst fly ash alone can be more effective in soil stabilization, a combination of cement, lime and fly ash can be more effective. Overall, the research highlighted the potential of different soil stabilizing agents in enhancing the mechanical properties of soils and hence providing valuable insights for geotechnical and civil engineers and practitioners. However, further experimental or field studies are required to comprehensively compare the short-term and long-term impacts of fly ash, cement and lime on soil mechanical properties.