Abstract

This study aimed to assess the suitability of lime treatment for use in dikes in the Netherlands. The effect of this technique on the behavior of a Dutch clay was addressed by comparing the detailed response of lime-treated and natural samples at different lime contents (1.25% and 2.25%) and curing periods. A series of laboratory tests consisting of index classification, constant rate of strain, and triaxial and hole erosion tests were performed. The results demonstrated that lime treatment altered the soil response. Differences were observed in the physical, compressibility, strength, and erodibility properties. It was found that lime improved considerably the resistance to compression and erosion, but the effect on hydraulic conductivity was limited. The triaxial test results showed that lime treatment was particularly effective at low stress (<25  kPa) and low strain levels (<10%). During shearing, lime-treated samples exhibited dilative tendencies and enhanced effective strength properties until a stress-strain state was reached that was believed to be related to the breakage of the bonding structure of the sample. The findings of this study demonstrate that the merits of lime treatment can be of particular benefit in dike applications, particularly when the focus is on improving soil erosion resistance.

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Data Availability Statement

All data, models, and code generated or used during the study appear in the published article.

Acknowledgments

The authors wish to thank Huub de Bruijn, senior engineer at Deltares, and Tamer Ozturk, R&D engineer at Lhoist, for their significant contribution to this work. The authors would also like to thank Soil Solution SAS, which performed the HET tests reported in this study.

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Go to Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering
Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering
Volume 35Issue 3March 2023

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Received: Sep 28, 2021
Accepted: Jun 15, 2022
Published online: Dec 26, 2022
Published in print: Mar 1, 2023
Discussion open until: May 26, 2023

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Researcher/Advisor, Geo-Engineering Section, Deltares, Boussinesqweg 1, Delft 2629 HV, Netherlands (corresponding author). ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9488-0798. Email: [email protected]
G. Herrier, Ph.D. [email protected]
Senior Research Engineer, Lhoist Recherche et Développement, Rue de l’Industrie 31, Nivelles 1400, Belgium. Email: [email protected]
T. Stoutjesdijk [email protected]
Expert Advisor, Geo-Engineering Section, Deltares, Boussinesqweg 1, Delft 2629 HV, Netherlands. Email: [email protected]
Junior R&D Engineer, Lhoist Recherche et Développement, Rue de l’Industrie 31, Nivelles 1400, Belgium. Email: [email protected]
C. Zwanenburg, Ph.D. [email protected]
Specialist, Geo-Engineering Section, Delft Univ. of Technology, Mekelweg 5, Delft 2628 CD, Netherlands. Email: [email protected]
Sales Market Specialist, Lhoist Nederland, Weena-Zuid 130, Rotterdam 3012 NC, Netherlands. Email: [email protected]

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