Lime stabilization improves which soil property?

Lime stabilization improves which soil property?

• A. Color.
• B. Bearing capacity.
• C. Thermal conductivity.
• D. Permeability only.

Answer: (B)

Lime stabilization primarily increases the soil’s strength and stiffness, which directly boosts how much load the ground can safely carry. When lime is added to clayey soils, chemical reactions form cementitious compounds and cause the particles to bond more strongly, while also flocculating the clay particles. This reduces plasticity and moisture sensitivity and allows better compaction, all of which raise shear strength and stiffness. With higher shear strength, the soil can resist greater foundation loads without failure, increasing the bearing capacity. Other options aren’t the main focus here—color isn’t related to load-bearing performance, thermal conductivity is about heat transfer, and while permeability can change with stabilization, the key outcome for foundations is the improved bearing capacity.

Lime stabilization primarily increases the soil’s strength and stiffness, which directly boosts how much load the ground can safely carry. When lime is added to clayey soils, chemical reactions form cementitious compounds and cause the particles to bond more strongly, while also flocculating the clay particles. This reduces plasticity and moisture sensitivity and allows better compaction, all of which raise shear strength and stiffness. With higher shear strength, the soil can resist greater foundation loads without failure, increasing the bearing capacity. Other options aren’t the main focus here—color isn’t related to load-bearing performance, thermal conductivity is about heat transfer, and while permeability can change with stabilization, the key outcome for foundations is the improved bearing capacity.