This study investigates the strength performance and microstructural changes of a sandy gypseous soil improved with fly ash-based geopolymer, for shallow and deep applications. Different proportions of geopolymer were added to a natural gypseous soil having a gypsum content of 30% to 40% with different water contents. The fly ash was activated using sodium hydroxide with molar concentrations 8 and 12 molar and sodium silicate. The ratios of the fly ash to the activator were 1 and 2. Specimens were cured for different ages at 30°C. To simulate the field conditions, a number of specimens were immersed in a salt-saturated solution. Materials performance was evaluated at the macro level by performing unconfined compression test and at micro level by performing scanning electron microscopy test. The study showed that an increase in the molar concentration of sodium hydroxide and of the binder ratio improved material’s strength particularly at lower water contents of the soil. Increasing the binder content to about 30% improved the strength by enhancing the bonding between the soil particles. On the other hand, immersing the samples in the salt solution led, in most cases, to breakdown of the geopolymer network, as confirmed by the SEM images. It was concluded that the fly ash geopolymer-soil mixtures under investigation can provide as high as 8 MPa uniaxial strength under no sulfate attack. However, under sulfate attack condition, this strength can decrease to as low as 0.5 MPa. Even under the worst case, the later strength can be just enough to support shallow foundations rested on a saturated gypseous soil.
One of the most popular non- destructive techniques is ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV) which used in assessment of concrete properties. A statistical experimental program was carried out in the present study to establish an accurate relation between the UPV and the concrete compressive strength. The program involved testing of concrete cubes cast with specified test variables. The variables are the age and density of concrete. In this research, all the samples were tested by direct ultrasonic pulse velocity (DUPV) and surface ultrasonic pulse velocity (SUPV) to measure the wave velocity in concrete and the compressive strength for each sample. An experimental study was conducted to compare between the velocities of ultrasonic waves that transmitted along the two paths; direct and indirect. A total of more than 150 cubes having dimensions of 150 mm side were prepared to conduct both non-destructive and the compressive strength (destructive testing). The results from experimental program were used as input data in a statistical program (SPSS) to predict the best equation, which can represent the relation between the UPV (direct, indirect), and compressive strength, a linear equation is proposed for this purpose. The UPV measurement and compressive strength tests were carried out at the concrete age of 7, 28, 56 days. A relationship curves were drawn between DUPV, SUPV, compressive strength and density. The mixes composition in this study consists of ordinary Portland cement, fine sand, gravel, super-plasticizer, and water. All the specimens were under (20) Cº. The statistical analysis revealed that the possibility in evaluating the properties of the concrete by using direct and indirect wave velocities