Abstract

Maintaining the strength stabilisation is a precondition for reusing oil contaminated soil (OCS) in engineering projects. This study investigated the effects of coastal environment, such as temperature, humidity and water, on the strength and deformation of lime-fly ash solidified OCS. Results indicated that (i) The unconfined compressive strength (UCS), shear strength and deformation of OCS improve obvious after treatment, and as solidified for 28 days, the UCS, cohesion and internal friction angle is 1396 kPa, 400 kPa and 37^o, respectively. (ii) Water, humidity and temperature can cause some fluctuations on the strength of solidified OCS, but the strength can stabilise at 776, 1230 and 623 kPa, respectively, which can meet the requirements of the Chinese code. Repellency of oil can relieve the affection of water and humidity, and strength tends to increase in the initial cycle. However, as to higher oil contamination, the temperature could change the viscosity of oil. (iii) The excessive increase in solidified materials is not benefit for the soil stability. Therefore, it suggests that the amount of solidified materials should be optimised according to the actual OCS.