Eco-Friendly Stabilization of Physicochemically Dispersive Soil Using Sticky Rice and Calcium Chloride

Dispersive soil is highly susceptible to water erosion, leading to significant engineering challenges, such as slope instability and canal damage. Common modifiers such as lime are effective but cause environmental pollution. Therefore, it is important to explore eco-friendly modifiers. This study investigates the effects of sticky rice and calcium chloride (SRC) on dispersive soil. Dispersivity tests identified an optimal ratio of sticky rice to calcium chloride of 3:1. To analyze the effects of different SRC contents and curing times on the soil properties, tests of dispersivity, hydraulic, mechanical, chemical, and microscopic mechanisms were conducted based on this optimal ratio. The results indicated that 1.5% SRC effectively eliminated soil dispersivity even without curing, and its effectiveness improved with an extended curing time. After 28 days of curing, the water stability increased significantly, permeability decreased by an order of magnitude, and cohesion improved by approximately 85.97%. SRC reduced soil dispersivity through three primary mechanisms: lowering the pH, promoting ion exchange between Ca2+ and Na+, and the cementing effect of the sticky rice paste. Additionally, Ca2+ acted as a bridge between organic colloids and clay particles, further strengthening the structural stability of microaggregates. Overall, SRC proved to be an effective eco-friendly modifier for improving physicochemically dispersive soil.