Compacted Chalk Putty–Cement Blends: Mechanical Properties and Performance

Abstract

Compaction and portland cement addition are among the promising ground improvement procedures to enhance the mechanical properties of chalk putty. The present investigation intends to compute the effect of portland cement content and dry density on the mechanical properties (stiffness and strength) and performance (durability) of compacted chalk putty–cement mixes. The most significant addition to knowledge is quantifying the accumulated loss of mass (ALM) after wet-dry cycles, initial shear modulus (G0) and unconfined compressive strength (qu) as a function of the porosity-cement index. In addition, the existence of an exclusive relation connecting accumulated loss of mass divided by the number of wetting-drying cycles and porosity-cement index is empirically revealed. Besides, a power relation was found between initial shear modulus at small strains after wet-dry cycles (G0) and average loss of mass after each cycle. This broadens the applicability of such an index by demonstrating that it controls not only strength and stiffness but also endurance performance of compacted chalk putty–portland cement blends.