Organic-Tainted Mineral Soils, Part II: Operationalising Neutralisation-First Stabilisation from Laboratory to Field

Chee-Ming Chan; Adnan Zainorabidin; Salina Sani; Boon-Cheng Eng; Som Phong Pichan; Hidrahasbee Jamil

doi:10.56532/mjsat.v6i3.829

Authors

Chee-Ming Chan Research Centre for Soft Soils (RECESS), Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia, Johor, Malaysia
Adnan Zainorabidin Research Centre for Soft Soils (RECESS), Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia, Johor, Malaysia
Salina Sani Research Centre for Soft Soils (RECESS), Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia, Johor, Malaysia
Boon-Cheng Eng JKR Geotechnical Engineering Branch (JKR-CKG), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Som Phong Pichan JKR Centre of Excellence in Engineering & Technology (CREaTE), Melaka, Malaysia
Hidrahasbee Jamil JKR Centre of Excellence in Engineering & Technology (CREaTE), Melaka, Malaysia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.56532/mjsat.v6i3.829

Keywords:

Organic-tainted Mineral Soils, Neutralisation Demand, Neutralisation-first, Chemical Conditioning, Field Verification

Abstract

Organic-tainted mineral soils (OTMS) represent an intermediate geotechnical condition in which the soil remains predominantly mineral and physically compactable, yet reactive organic matter can interfere with conventional lime- and cement-based stabilisation. Part I established the mechanistic basis of OTMS treatability and introduced neutralisation demand (ND) as the chemical requirement that must be satisfied before effective structural cementation can develop. This Part II operationalises that framework through a laboratory-to-field verification protocol. The proposed procedure separates chemical conditioning from structural binder contribution, defines candidate approaches for determining ND, and establishes controlled treatment comparisons based on equivalent structural-binder dosage. Laboratory qualification integrates soil characterisation, conditioning response, compaction behaviour, strength, soaked bearing capacity, stiffness, volumetric stability and durability. Treatments progressing beyond laboratory qualification are then subjected to field verification of constructability, treatment uniformity, moisture control and retained performance. Particular emphasis is placed on distinguishing the chemical input consumed in controlling organic interference from that subsequently contributing to cementitious strengthening. The resulting framework links ND determination, JKR-aligned engineering performance and variability-based field acceptance to support decisions on conventional treatment, neutralisation-first treatment, further optimisation or rejection of shallow stabilisation. The contribution is therefore an operational and experimentally testable protocol rather than a report of completed laboratory or field validation.

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