• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
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• v.38 no.7
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• pp.25-37
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• 2022

In this paper, a small-scale model testing system was developed using a series of small-scale model tests to analyze the mechanism of compaction pile formation and evaluate the quality of controlled grading aggregates proposed as an alternative material to the sand compaction pile (SCP) method and granular compaction pile (GCP). These are the most typical ground improvement methods in field practice, particularly for soft grounds. However, the SCP has faced difficulties due to the supply shortage of natural sand and the corresponding price surge of sand. The GCP is limited in marine soft grounds because of the failure occurring at the pile tip caused by excessive expansion of the deeper bulbs, leading to uneven bulb formation. The uniformity of compacted pile bulbs is critical to ensuring the bearing capacity and quality of the compaction pile. This study aims to evaluate the performance of the new material and controlled grading aggregates using small-scale model tests simulating field compaction process to investigate its potential application in comparison with SCP. The compaction piles are examined in four cases according to different materials used for compaction pile and clay strength. The compaction pile materials, which are made of sand and controlled grading aggregates, used in this study were compared to reveal the mechanism of the bulb creation. The experimental data confirm that the bulb formation quality of the traditional sand and the new material, controlled grading aggregates are comparable. The compaction pile made of controlled grading aggregates presents higher bearing capacity than that of marine sand.

• Journal of the Korean Recycled Construction Resources Institute
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• v.4 no.3
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• pp.299-306
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• 2016

In this research, influence of low quality aggregate on engineering properties of concrete was evaluated experimentally. From the experiment, the fresh properties of slump and air content were controlled with unit water and AE dosage and all mixture were designed to have similar fresh properties of slump and air content with various quality of aggregate. Under this conditions, comparing with the mixture with high quality aggregate, the mixture with low quality aggregate showed the unit water and AE dosage were increased about 18 and 98%, respectively, because of poor grading and quantity of fines. For compressive strength, the low quality aggregate, specifically, exploded debris, clay sand, and sea sand contributed on decreasing compressive strength about 20~35%. Additionally, the concrete mixture including low quality fine and coarse aggregate showed adverse quality in not only compressive strength but also durability of freeze-thawing resistance, drying shrinkage, carbonation, and chloride ingression. Therefore, it is considered that for low quality aggregate, extra treatment processes such as washing or controlling gradation, and regulation to limit the use of low quality aggregate are needed.

• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.33-45
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• 2022

A series of model tests were performed in this study to demonstrate the clogging mechanism created during the installation of a compaction pile to improve soft ground. The application of an air-jet to extrude sand or aggregates from a casing during the installation of a compaction pile imposes a remarkably high-pressure difference between the composite soil layers of clay and sand (or aggregates), resulting in severe clogging. Therefore, a one-dimensional testing system was developed to simulate composite soil layers consisting of clay and sand (or aggregates) and to apply a high-pressure differential at both boundaries, thus replicating the extrusion process used in compaction pile installation. Herein, the performance of two construction materials for compaction piles of crushed stone and grading-controlled aggregates was compared. A series of one-dimensional model tests were performed under multiple pressure settings, with clogging depth and permeability measured in each case. Results indicate that, blinding clogging mechanisms and blocking defined by previous studies were observed for crushed stone, and a new mechanism of "infiltration" was revealed and defined. Whereas, the controlled aggregates performed excellently against clogging because only blinding was observed.