Effects of soaking on a lime stabilized clay and implications for pavement design

Abstract

This paper investigates the effects of soaking on a lime stabilized high plasticity clay and evaluates the implications for pavement design. In this context, the soil was stabilized by 4%, 6% and 9% hydrated lime. The soil was pulverized in two different gradations so that representative field gradations could be simulated. Both soil pulverization levels passed the relevant field gradation criteria. Curing durations were chosen as 7 days, 28 days and 56 days. Two groups of samples were prepared and were tested in unconfined compression test apparatus to measure the strength and secant modulus at failure values. One of the groups was tested immediately after curing. The other group of samples were first cured and then subjected to soaking for ten days before testing. Visual observations were made on the samples during the soaking period. The results showed the superiority of fine soil pulverization over coarse soil pulverization for unsoaked conditions in terms of strength and modulus values. Soaking of the samples affected the unconfined compressive strength and modulus values based on lime content, curing duration and soil pulverization level. In soaked samples, fine soil pulverization resulted in higher strength and modulus values compared to coarse soil pulverization. However, even with fine soil pulverization, effects of soaking on modulus values were more significant. A new term named as "Soaking Influence Factor (SIF)" was defined to compare the reduction in strength and modulus due to soaking. The data was compared with the relevant design guidelines and an attempt was made to include Soaking Influence Factors for strength and modulus (SIFS and SIFM) into pavement design processes. Two equations which correlated secant modulus at failure to unconfined compressive strength were proposed based on the samples subjected to soaking. The results of this study showed that in order to decrease the diverse effects of soaking for lime stabilized soils, soil pulverization level should be kept as fine as possible in the field. Importance of proper drainage precautions in the pavements is highlighted for better performance of the pavements.