Durability of Cement Stabilized Low Plasticity Soils

Abstract

Three testing methods for predicting the durability of cement-stabilized soils—the tube suction (TS), 7-day unconfined compression strength (UCS), and wetting–drying durability tests—were tested and compared for their correlations and influence factors using a problematic low plastic silt clay from subgrade commonly encountered in Louisiana. A series of samples was molded at six different cement dosages (2.5, 4.5, 6.5, 8.5, 10.5, and 12.5% by dry weight of the soil) and four different molding moisture contents (15.5, 18.5, 21.5, and 24.5%). The test results indicate that the water–cement ratio of cement-stabilized soil had the dominant influence on the maximum dielectric value (DV), 7-day UCS, and durability of stabilized samples tested, although the dry unit weight of cement-stabilized soil could cause the variation of the results. This study confirms that TS, 7-day UCS, and wetting-drying durability tests are equivalent in predicting durability, and tentative charts to ensuring the durability of cement-stabilized low plasticity soils are developed using their 7-day UCS or the maximum DV values.