Experimental Investigations on the Soil–Water Characteristic Curve and the Deformation Behaviors of Unsaturated Cement–Stabilized Soft Clay
Publication: International Journal of Geomechanics
Volume 23, Issue 10
Abstract
Cement stabilization is a widely applied technique in improving the workability and geotechnical properties of soft clay. This paper investigated the influence of cement stabilization on the soil–water characteristic curve (SWCC) and the deformation behavior of unsaturated cement–stabilized soft clay. The combined effect of cementation and partial saturation on the hydromechanical behavior of cement-stabilized soils was discussed. The SWCC of stabilized soil was measured in the full suction range under drying and wetting paths using the pressure plate method, the filter paper method, and the vapor equilibrium technique. The deformation behaviors of cement-stabilized soft soil were investigated by conducting suction-controlled oedometer tests. Furthermore, scanning electron microscope micrographs and mercury intrusion porosimetry tests were performed to investigate the effects of cement content on the evolution of soil pore structures. The test results showed that the water retention capacity of the stabilized soft clay increased with increasing cement content. The SWCC showed a significant hysteretic behavior in the boundary effect zone and transition zone, whereas the hysteretic effect was unapparent in the residual zone. The increased cement content had a more significant hysteretic effect on the SWCC. The deformation resistance capacity increased as the cement content and matric suction increased. However, the effect of matric suction on deformation resistance capacity decreased as the cement content increased. With the increase in cement content, the macropores were converted to small interaggregate pores, the pore spaces were distributed more uniformly, and the particle surface became rougher, resulting in higher water retention capacity and significant hysteresis of the SWCC.
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Data Availability Statement
All data, models, and codes generated or used during the study appear in the published article.
Acknowledgments
The authors gratefully acknowledge the National Natural Science Foundation of China [Grant 51709129, 52009049, and 52208345].
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Published In
International Journal of Geomechanics
Volume 23 • Issue 10 • October 2023
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© 2023 American Society of Civil Engineers.
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Received: Nov 5, 2022
Accepted: Apr 17, 2023
Published online: Aug 9, 2023
Published in print: Oct 1, 2023
Discussion open until: Jan 9, 2024
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