Lime‐Induced Heave in Sulfate‐Bearing Clay Soils

Abstract

Expansive reactions between lime and sulfate‐bearing clay soils have attracted little attention until relatively recently. Lime treatment of Stewart Avenue in Las Vegas, Nevada, has induced heave in excess of 12 in. Heaved areas are found to contain abundant thaumasite, a complex calcium‐silicate‐hydroxide‐sulfate‐carbonate‐hydrate mineral. Thaumasite forms a solid solution series with ettringite, a calciumaluminum‐hydroxide‐sulfate‐hydrate mineral. In the presence of aluminum, ettringite forms first and is replaced by thaumasite only at temperatures below 15 °C. The mechanism of heave is a complex function of available water, the percentage of soil clay, and ion mobility. Only the long‐term pozzolanic chemistry of normal lime‐soil reactions is disrupted. Cation exchange, agglomeration, and carbonation are unaffected. With the present state of knowledge, lime‐induced heave is difficult to predict for all but most obvious conditions.