The influence of soil types and stabilizing agents on the engineering properties of stabilized soil for use in embarkment dams

Abstract

The thesis considers the feasibility of using marginal soils, stabilized with hydrated lime or ordinary Portland Cement as an alternative construction material for embankment dams. A n historical review discusses some prior successful applications o f soil-cement, soil-lime and roller contacted concrete in hydraulic structures. T he principles of soil stabilization with lime and cement Me presented as an introduction to the laboratory testing programme. The testing program me considers aspects of engineering properties fundamental to embankment d am construction. These include compaction characteristics, unconfined compressive strength, shear strength, flexural strength, shrinkage characteristics and permeability. Since the stabilized material will require protection by a durable facing, the durability of the materials are considered, b u t to a limited extent, as are the thermal properties. Further research is required to investigate the suitability of the presently accepted durability test methods which appear to be to o harsh for soil-lime. The engineering properties o f the untreated soils, which would probably n o t be considered suitable for conventional embankment dam s construction, are significantly enhanced by the addition of the stabilizers. The resulting stabilized materials present the designer with a variety o f alternative materials suitable for dam construction. Cost savings relative to conventional dam building materials result from a significant reduction in the construction time. Although the properties of soil-lime and soil-cement may differ, e.g. in time rate of strength development, this is seen as an advantage in the consideration of alternative design options in arriving at a creative cost- effective solution