Lime‐Induced Heave in Sulfate‐Bearing Clay Soils
Publication: Journal of Geotechnical Engineering
Volume 114, Issue 2
Abstract
Expansive reactions between lime and sulfate‐bearing clay soils have attracted little attention until relatively recently. Lime treatment of Stewart Avenue in Las Vegas, Nevada, has induced heave in excess of 12 in. Heaved areas are found to contain abundant thaumasite, a complex calcium‐silicate‐hydroxide‐sulfate‐carbonate‐hydrate mineral. Thaumasite forms a solid solution series with ettringite, a calciumaluminum‐hydroxide‐sulfate‐hydrate mineral. In the presence of aluminum, ettringite forms first and is replaced by thaumasite only at temperatures below 15 °C. The mechanism of heave is a complex function of available water, the percentage of soil clay, and ion mobility. Only the long‐term pozzolanic chemistry of normal lime‐soil reactions is disrupted. Cation exchange, agglomeration, and carbonation are unaffected. With the present state of knowledge, lime‐induced heave is difficult to predict for all but most obvious conditions.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Geotechnical Engineering
Volume 114 • Issue 2 • February 1988
Pages: 150 - 167
Copyright
Copyright © 1988 ASCE.
History
Published online: Feb 1, 1988
Published in print: Feb 1988
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