• Proceedings of the Korean Geotechical Society Conference
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• 2010.03a
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• pp.631-642
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• 2010

This study is experimentally investigated for the characteristics of compression and tensile of lightweight air-trapped soils with uniform quality. Previously, EPS blocks are often used as lightweight embankment, but many problems such as the level difference and cracks caused by plastic(creep) deformation occurred in the EPS blocks. So, a new material development is urgent. By means of alternatives, lightweight air-mixed soil using in-situ soils has been developed and applied to fields. In comparison with EPS block, lightweight air-mixed soil have less creep deformation in long-time, but the strength characteristics of them are different depending on soils where they are obtained. Therefore, the quality management of them is very difficult. In this study, therefore, characteristics of lightweight air-trapped soil samples are investigated. To do this, the lightweight air-trapped soils are prepared using a manufactured sand with uniform quality. To found out the compression and tensile characteristics of lightweight air-tapped soils, unconfined compression test and splitting tensile test are conducted on the specimens prepared with different unit weight, cement-sand ratio and air-pore.

• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.28 no.4C
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• pp.213-220
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• 2008

A study on cemented sand reinforced with short fibers was carried out to improve its unconfined compressive strength and brittle behavior. Nak-dong River sand was mixed with Portland cement and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) fibers. A PVA fiber widely used for concrete reinforcement is randomly distributed into cemented sand. Nak-dong River sand, cement and fibers with optimum water content were compacted in 5 layers and then cured for 7 days. The effect of fiber reinforcement rather than cementation was emphasized by using a small amount of cement. Weakly cemented sand with a cement/sand ratio less than 8% was fiber-reinforced with different fiber ratios and tested for unconfined compression tests. The effect of fiber ratio and cement ratio on unconfined compressive strength was investigated. Fiber-reinforced cemented sand with 2% cement ratio showed up to six times strength to non-reinforced cemented sand. Because of ductile behavior of fiber-reinforced specimens, an axial strain at peak stress of specimens with 2% cement ratio increases up to 7% as a fiber ratio increases. The effect of 1% fiber addition into 2% cemented sand on friction angle and cohesion was analyzed separately. When the fiber reinforcement is related to friction angle increase, the 8% of applied stress transferred to 1% fibers within specimens.

• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.35-46
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• 2017

Most of high carbon fly ashes (HCFA) are discarded in landfills with high costs due to low recycling rate. This study aims to explore the geotechnical behaviors of HCFA mixtures reinforced with fiber and sand. A series of compaction test, unconfined compressive strength test and modified 1D consolidation test with bender element were performed. Specimens were prepared at their optimal moisture contents based on the results of compaction tests. The results of this study demonstrate that the inclusion of fibers to the matrix of HCFA increases unconfined compressive strength (UCS), strain at UCS, and maximum shear modulus ($G_{max}$) at a given void ratio. Reinforcement with sand increases UCS of HCFA; while the strain at UCS is irrelevant with sand fractions. Sand particles may disrupt the direct contacts between HCFA particles at low sand content, resulting in a decrease in $G_{max}$. However, it can be expected that the mixtures with sand content larger than 20% are in dense state; thus, $G_{max}$ of HCFA reinforced with sand shows greater value than that of unreinforced HCFA compacted with the same energy. Regardless of types of reinforcement, the compression index ($C_c$) of both fiber and sand reinforced HCFA is mainly determined by initial void ratio.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.115-127
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• 2021

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.

• Journal of Navigation and Port Research
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.119-125
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• 2009

The effect of plastic board drains (PBDs)on ground improvement was checked out considering three crucial factors: ground settlement, undrained shear strength, and residual water head. First, the settlement analysis including initial settlement induced by reclamation of sand mat was conducted by back calculation analysis with measured data. Its result showed toot the PBDs used for this site worked well on improving soft ground. Secondly, the undrained shear strength was investigated by laboratory and in-situ tests including unconsolidated-undrained triaxial compression (UU) tests, unconfined compression tests, in-situ vane tests, and cone penetration tests. From the test results, they showed that the undrained shear strength of the improved ground by PBDs was significantly increased as well as the strength increasing ratio especially $10{\sim}15m$ below the ground surface on site. Thirdly, the residual water head measurement from the in situ dissipation test was found the same as the static water head, which indicated primary consolidation was completed and the effect of soil improvement with PBDs can be confirmed.

• Journal of the Korean GEO-environmental Society
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• v.4 no.4
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• pp.25-34
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• 2003

This paper is focused on an experimental study in order to investigate the utilization of sewage sludge ash as the cover and liner materials for the waste disposal landfill or as construction materials. A series of tests were performed to evaluate the basic properties, compaction, compressive strength, consolidation, permeability, and CBR of sewage ash. Specially, clay bricks were made as increasing replacement ratio of sewage ash (such as 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30%). And tests were fulfilled for its quality. Bentonite and lime were used as the additives to improve permeability properties of sewage sludge ash. As a result of tests, it was shown that the permeability coefficient decreases as increasing bentonite content and the percentage of bentonite was roughly needed 20% to keep the permeability coefficient below $1{\times}10^{-7}cm/sec$. The results of unconfined compression tests show that sewage ash meets the criteria of the unconfined compression strength for cover material. It was shown that the compressive strength decreases as increasing the replacement ratio of sewage sludge ash and the maximum replacement ratio of sewage sludge ash to satisfy the quality standards of the third degree bricks was about 15%.

• Journal of the Korean GEO-environmental Society
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• v.19 no.6
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• pp.13-22
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• 2018

The southwestern part of Korean Peninsula, which length is about 13,000 km, is largely formed with soft cohesive soil ground and when it is developed, the low bearing capacity and excessive settlement of soft ground give many problems. In particular, a lot of clayey soil is deserted due to high moisture content and weakness, and areas formed with soft ground. In this study it was performed unconfined compression test, CBR tests, laboratory frost heaving test, and wheel tracking test in order to determine the optimum mixture ratio of paper sludge ash added chemical stabilizer with soft soil for consideration of its frost heaving and strength characteristics. As a results of the above experiments, when the soft soil is mixed with 6% of chemical stabilizer to improve the soft soil for utilizing as a subgrade soil material. It is satisfied the quality standard of fill materials, and the results of this research are expected to be used as an appropriate usage standard for utilization of on-site soil generated.

• Proceedings of the Korean Geotechical Society Conference
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• 2009.09a
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• pp.511-518
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• 2009

In this study, by the consideration of in situ curing conditions, cemented sand with cement ratio less than 20% is prepared by air dry condition and then wetted. A series of unconfined compression tests are carried out to evaluate the effect of wetting on the strength of cemented soils. Strength of air dry cured specimen drops to maximum 30% after wetting at the end of curing period when cement ratio is low. However, regardless of cement ratio, strength of repetitively wetted specimens during curing increases as the number of wetting increases. The results of this study can predict the strength variation of cemented sand depending on wetting conditions in the field, which can guarantee the safety of geotechnical structures such as dam.

• Proceedings of the Korean Geotechical Society Conference
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• 2009.09a
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• pp.463-471
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• 2009

Cemented soils or concrete are usually cured under moisture conditions and their strength increases with curing time. An insufficient supply of water to cemented soils can contribute to hydration process during curing, which results in the variation of bonding strength of cemented soils. In this study, by the consideration of in situ water supply conditions, cemented sand with cement ratio less than 20% was prepared by air dry, wrapped, and underwater conditions. A series of unconfined compression tests were carried out to evaluate the effect of curing conditions on the strength of cemented soils. The strength of air dry curing specimen was higher than those of wrapped cured specimen when cement ratio was less than 10%, whereas it was lower when cement ratio was greater than 10%. Regardless of cement ratio, air dry cured specimens were stronger than underwater cured specimens. A strength increase ratio with cement ratio was calculated based on the strength of 4% cemented specimen. The strength increase ratio of air dry cured specimen was lowest and that of wrapped and underwater cured ones increased by square. Strength of air dry cured specimen dropped to maximum 30% after wetting when cement ratio was low. However, regardless of cement ratio, strength of wrapped specimens dropped to an average 10% after wetting.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.589-604
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• 2016

Kenya has recently experienced worrying collapse of buildings during construction largely attributable to the poor quality of in-situ concrete and poor workmanship. The situation in the country is further compounded by rapid deterioration of infrastructure, hence necessitating the development of alternative structural systems such as concrete filled unplasticized poly vinyl chloride (UPVC) tubes as columns. The work herein adds on to the very limited and scanty work on use of UPVC tubes in construction. This study presents the findings of experimental and analytical work which investigated the structural response of composite concrete filled UPVC tubes under compressive load regime. UPVC pipes are cheaper than steel tubes and can be used as formwork during construction and thereafter as an integral part of column. Key variables in this study included the strength of infill concrete, the length to diameter ratio (L/D) of the plastic tube, as well as the diameter to thickness ratio (D/2t) of the plastic tube. Plastic tubes having varying diameters and heights were used to confine concrete of different strengths. Results obtained in the study clearly demonstrate the effectiveness of UPVC tubes as a confining medium for infill concrete, attributable to enhanced composite interaction between the UPVC tube and infill concrete medium. It was determined that compressive strength of the composite column specimens increased with increased concrete strength while the same decreased with increased column height, albeit by a small margin since all the columns considered were short columns. Most importantly, the experimental confined concrete strength increased significantly when compared to unconfined concrete strength; the strength increased between 1.18 to 3.65 times the unconfined strength. It was noted that lower strength infill concrete had the highest confined strength possibly due to enhanced composite interaction with the confining UPVC tube. The study further proposes an analytical model for the determination of confined strength of concrete.