Tensile Fracture and Fatigue of Cement‐Stabilized Soil

Abstract

Portland cement‐stabilized soil is widely used as a base material for roads, airfields, and similar structures. Cracking in this material is studied using fracture mechanics concepts. Fracture toughness in the form of the plane strain stress intensity factor and in the form of the J‐integral are used as primary descriptors in the study. A simple power law is used in the case of fatigue loading to describe the relationship between the change in crack length per load cycle and the fluctuation in the stress intensity factor. An increase in static toughness occurs with an increase in strength and this relationship is explained. Physical models are developed that define the relationship between the physical and chemical nature of the material and its engineering usage. These relationships consider cement content, compactive effort, and fracture toughness. Initial results and future requirements for relationships between creep and fatigue and between static toughness and fatigue are discussed.