Dimensional analysis of soil–cement mixture performance

Abstract

Cement is commonly used to improve the mechanical properties of soils that exhibit substantial changes in behaviour under fluctuating environmental conditions (i.e. moisture and temperature). Minimising the cement content while attaining a satisfactory level of performance is the main objective of mixture proportioning; however, the absence of performance-predicting models precludes optimisation. In this work, published experimental results have been reanalysed to explore the causal links between mixture components proportions and properties, and its performance. Specific surface area has been used as the foundation of a framework within which these links are studied through dimensional analysis. The D-factor -a dimensionless ratio that combines the water content, cement content, post-compaction void ratio and the specific surface area of the soil and the cement -has been found to correlate linearly with unconfined compressive strength.

Effect of Cement on Mechanical Behavior of Soil Contaminated with Monoethylene Glycol (MEG)

“…Therefore, the increase in strength of soil-cement with time is mainly due to pozzolanic reaction. These results are consistent with the results that were reported by 21,41,42 .…”

Discussion of “Compaction and Strength Behavior of Tire Crumbles–Fly Ash Mixed with Clay” by Akash Priyadarshee, Arvind Kumar, Deepak Gupta, and Pankaj Pushkarna

“…10 and 11 of the original paper). The specific surface area for the clay soil can be estimated by the following empirical relationship (Locat et al 1984;Williamson and Cortes 2014):…”

“…Based on Table 1 in the original paper, the clay soil has a plasticity index of 18.8%, thus implying that S C a ¼ 31.86 m 2 =g. For mixtures involving tire crumbles and/or fly ash, the following relationship can be used to estimate the mixture's specific surface area S mix a (Williamson and Cortes 2014;Zhao et al 2016):…”

Experiments and dimensional analysis of contaminated clay soils

“…Such a simplification also complies with most of the existing literature, where various forms of empirical and dimensional models have been developed (and validated) for different geomaterials without regarding suction as an input variable (e.g Rao et al 2004;Buzzi et al 2011Williamson and Cortes 2014;Berrah et al 2016; Zhao et al 2016).The Buckingham π theorem provides a method for computing sets of dimensionless parameters from given variables, even if the form of the equation remains unknown(Buckingham 1914). The concept is recognized as a well-established rule in fluid mechanics, while it has been less regarded in geotechnical-related disciplines (e.g Butterfield 1999;Buzzi 2010;Buzzi et al 2011;Williamson and Cortes 2014;Berrah et al 2016;.…”