Effect of Accelerated Loading on the Compressibility Characteristics of Lime-Treated Semiarid Soils

Abstract

Determination of consolidation properties of compacted lime-treated cohesive clays by the one-dimensional fixed-ring oedometer consolidation method with conventional load increment duration may not be appropriate due to immediate pozzolanic reactions, which occur in the presence of lime. An attempt has thus been made to study the effect of accelerated loading on the compressibility characteristics of two different cohesive clays originating from diversified terrains of Saudi Arabia, before and after treating them with lime. In order to study the extent of improvement on the strength characteristics upon lime treatment, a series of unconfined compression strength tests are also carried out. The effect of lime treatment on the elastic moduli has also been studied. It is observed that, prior to any treatment, the final equilibrium void ratio values increase with the increase in duration of loading for the soils. The addition of lime significantly affects the compressibility behavior of both the soils. The unconfined compressive strength and elastic moduli (initial tangent and secant moduli) values increased with an increase in lime content and curing period.