Undrained Shear Strength of Compacted Soft Clay Stabilized with Sand

Abstract

The propose of this research is to study the effect of sand in stabilizing of compacted clay. The amountof sand was varied from 0-60% by weight. The tested specimens were compacted by static standard compressionmethod to attain the maximum dry density and optimum water content. Double suction method was adopted toincrease the degree of saturation of specimens. The soil specimens were subsequently consolidated to confiningpressures of 15, 45, 60 and 90 psi. prior to shearing under undrained condition.

From the test results, it was found that with the increase in amount of sand resulted in the increase inshear strength and the decrease in excess pore water pressure. When the amount of sand became more than 40%remarkedly influences on the excess pore water pressure characteristic of tested samples were observed. Thespecimens showed dilatation behavior and as a consequence sample with sand content higher than 40% exhibitedmuch higher undrained shear strength than that of the 100% clay specimen.