INVESTIGATION ON THE MECHANICAL PERFORMANCE OF SILICA FUME AND OPC STABILISED PEAT

Peat geotechnical properties such as low shear strength, high organic matter, low bearing capacity and high compressibility make it been regarded as difficult soil. Peat soil is considered by geotechnical engineers as an unfavourable soil for construction. It has covered approximately twenty-three (23) million hectares in South-East Asia with about three (3) million hectares or 8% of the total area in Malaysia. Peat soil has been regarded as problematic soil that poses significant threat to roads and building foundations stability due to its unique characteristics of high compressibility, low shear strength and consolidation settlements even when subjected to a moderate load. Construction on peat soil has proven to be a challenging task to civil engineers because of its characteristics