Small-Strain Shear Moduli of Chemically Stabilized Sulfate-Bearing Cohesive Soils
Publication: Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering
Volume 132, Issue 3
Abstract
An experimental study was conducted to measure small-strain shear moduli of chemically treated sulfate-bearing expansive soils using the bender element test. The bender element test was chosen because it provides reliable and repeatable small strain shear modulus measurements and allows for the periodical monitoring of stiffness property responses of soil specimens under varying curing conditions. Bender element tests were conducted on cement and lime treated soils and the results were then analyzed to study the variations in stiffness properties of soil specimens at different sulfate levels and curing conditions. Both cement and lime treated natural and artificial clays with low sulfate level of showed considerable enhancements in small strain shear moduli, whereas the same treated soils at high sulfate level of showed less enhancements in shear moduli due to sulfate heaving. Also, enhancements in shear moduli were lower for soil specimens continuously soaked under water compared to those cured in the humidity room. Rates of stiffness enhancements due to stabilizer type, compaction moisture content, type of curing, and sulfate levels are quantified and summarized.
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Acknowledgments
The contents of this paper reflect the views of the writers, who are responsible for the facts and accuracy of the data presented. They would like to acknowledge the National Science Foundation (Program Director: Dr. Richard J. Fragaszy) for supporting this research under NSF Grant No. NSF0100255. The writers would also like to acknowledge the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department and the Materials Science Department of The University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) for providing additional graduate student support to this research and the Chemistry Department of Southern Methodist University (SMU) for providing XRD and other basic chemistry equipment access for the present research. The research team would also like to acknowledge the contributions of Dr. Vojkan Jovicic of Czechoslovakia, Dr. Philip Hawkins of the United Kingdom, and Dr. Rajan Vempati of SMU for assisting them in the interpretation of bender element tests and mineralogical analyses.
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Information
Published In
Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering
Volume 132 • Issue 3 • March 2006
Pages: 322 - 336
Copyright
© 2006 ASCE.
History
Received: Aug 12, 2004
Accepted: Aug 1, 2005
Published online: Mar 1, 2006
Published in print: Mar 2006
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