Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Effect of Cement on the Drying–Wetting Paths and on Some Engineering Properties of a Compacted Natural Clay from Oran, Algeria

  • Original paper
  • Published:
Geotechnical and Geological Engineering Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to study the effect of cement on the consistency limits, drying–wetting paths, hydraulic conductivity measured by oedometer and triaxial tests in the short and long terms, and durability during wetting and drying cycles on untreated and treated samples. The compressive strength of the soil was also measured at the end of the durability tests. The study was carried out on samples of the natural swelling clay of Mers El Kebir (Algeria) compacted under Standard Optimum Proctor conditions and treated with different percentages of cement. The results show that the liquid limit decreases, and the plastic limit increases with the amount of cement. In the case of the drying–wetting path, a decrease in the shrinkage limit suction and an increase in the shrinkage limit water content were observed when the percentage of added cement increased. The tests conducted to evaluate the hydraulic conductivity of the treated soil show an increase in permeability just after the treatment, followed a decrease as a function of the curing time. From the durability tests, it could be observed that the clayey soils stabilized by cement exhibit high performance and survive 12 cycles of wetting–drying testing.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10

Similar content being viewed by others

Abbreviations

γs :

Density of solids grains

LL:

Liquid limit

PL:

Plastic limit

PI:

Plasticity index

Wn :

Natural water content

SL:

Shrinkage limit

SI:

Shrinkage index

F2:

Percentage of elements smaller than 2 µm

Ac:

Activity

MO:

Organic matter content

VBS:

Value of methylene blue

Sst:

Total specific surface

CaCo3 :

Calcium carbonate content

CEC:

Cation exchange capacity

γdmax :

Dry density at SPO

Wopt :

Optimum water content

Sr :

Degree of saturation

e:

Void ratio

S:

Initial suction

esl :

Void ratio of the shrinkage limit

SSL :

Shrinkage limit suction

Scd :

Suction of desaturation

K:

Permeability

UCS:

Unconfined compressive strength

References

  • Al Hassan M (2008) Permeability of lateritic soil treated with lime and rice husk ash. Assumpt Univ J Technol 12:115–120

    Google Scholar 

  • Al-Abdul Wahhab HI, Ahmad I, Aiban SA, Al-Amoudi OSB (2006) Stabilization of Al-Aziziyah (Eastern Saudi Arabia) sabkha soil. In: Proceedings of the third conference on roads, Sultan Qaboos University. Muscat, Oman, pp 197–203

  • Al-Rawasa AA, Hago AW, Al-Sarmib H (2005) Effect of lime, cement and Sarooj (artificial pozzolan) on the swelling potential of an expansive soil from Oman. Build Environ 40(5):681–687

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Aouatif B (2007) Observation et modélisation d’ouvrages en terre soumis à des processus de séchage et d’humidification [Observation and Modelling of earth structures subjected to drying and wetting processes] Ph.D thesis, Ecole Nationale des Ponts et Chaussées, Marne-la-Vallée, France

  • Aparna R (2014) Soil Stabilization using rice husk ash and cement. Int J Civ Eng Res 5(1):49–54

    Google Scholar 

  • ASTM D-5298-94 (1994) Standard test method for measurement of soil potential (suction) using filter paper. Annual book of ASTM Standards, vol 04.08. Easton, PA: American Society for Testing and Materials

  • ASTM D-4972 (1995) Standard test method for pH of soils. Annual book of ASTM Standards, vol 04.08. Easton, PA: American Society for Testing and Materials

  • ASTM D-2435 (1996) Standard test methods for one-dimensional consolidation properties of soils. Annual book of ASTM Standards, vol 04.08. Easton, PA: American Society for Testing and Materials

  • ASTM D-2216 (1998) Standard test methods for laboratory determination of water (moisture) content of soil and rock by mass. Annual book of ASTM Standards, vol 04.08. Easton, PA: American Society for Testing and Materials

  • ASTM D-2217 (1998) Standard test method for wet preparation of soil samples for particle size analysis and determination of soil constants. Annual book of ASTM Standards, vol 04.08. Easton, PA: American Society for Testing and Materials

  • ASTM D-427 (1998) Standard test method for shrinkage factors of soils by the mercury method. Annual book of ASTM Standards, vol 04.08. Easton, PA: American Society for Testing and Materials

  • ASTM D-4318 (2000) Standard test method for liquid limit, plastic limit and plasticity index of soils. Annual book of ASTM Standards, vol 04.08. Easton, PA: American Society for Testing and Materials

  • ASTM D-698 (2000) Standard test method for laboratory compaction characteristics of soil using standard effort. Annual book of ASTM Standards, vol 04.08. Easton, PA: American Society for Testing and Materials

  • ASTM D-854 (2002) Standard test method for specific gravity of soil solids by water pycnometer. Annual book of ASTM Standards, vol 04.08. Easton, PA: American Society for Testing and Materials

  • ASTM D-559 (2003) Standard test method for wetting and drying of compacted soil cement mixtures. Annual book of ASTM Standards, vol 04.08. Easton, PA: American Society for Testing and Materials

  • ASTM D-1633 (2007) Standard test method for unconfined compressive strength of cohesive. Annual book of ASTM Standards, 04.08. Easton, PA: American Society for Testing and Materials

  • Athanasopoulou A (2016) The role of curing period on the engineering characteristics of a cement- stabilized soil. Rom J Transp Infrastruct. doi:10.1515/rjti-2016-0041

    Google Scholar 

  • Balasubramaniam AS, Kamruzzaman AH, Uddin K, Lin DG, Phienwij N, Bergado DT (1998) Chemical stabilization of Bangkok clay with cement, lime, and fly ash additives. In: 13th Southeast Asian geotechnical conference, pp 253–258

  • Basha EA, Hashim R, Muntohar AS (2003) Effect of the cement-rice husk ash on the plasticity and compaction of soil. Electron J Geotech Eng 8:1–8

    Google Scholar 

  • Behmanesh J (2008) Etude de la durabilité d’un sédiment, traité au ciment et additifs. [Study of the durability of a sediment treated with cement and additives]. PhD thesis, University of Caen, France

  • Bekki H, Djilailia Z, Tlidjib Y, Daouadjic T (2015) Durability of treated silty soil using lime and cement in road construction—a comparative study. Online J Sci Technol 5(2):23–31

    Google Scholar 

  • Bhattacharia S, Bhatty JI, Todres HA (2003) Stabilization of clay soils by Portland cement or lime—a critical review of literature. PCA R&D Serial No. 2066. Portland Cement Association, Skokie, Illinois, USA, p 60

  • Biarez J, Fleureau JM, Zerhouni MI, Soepandji BS (1988) Variations de volume des sols argileux lors de cycles de drainage-humidification [Changes in volume of clay soils on drying–wetting paths test]. Rev Fr Géotech 41:63–71

    Google Scholar 

  • Bourabah MA (2012) Comportement mécanique des sols fins application à la valorisation des sédiments de barrages en technique routière [Mechanical behaviour of fine soils. Application to valorization of dam sediments in road construction] PhD thesis, University Abou-Bekr Belkaid, Tlemcen, Algeria

  • Bourokba SA (2011) Étude de la conductivité hydraulique et de la stabilisation par ajouts de liants hydrauliques de l’argile de Mers El Kébir [Hydraulic conductivity and stabilization by hydraulic binders of Mers El Kébir clay] PhD thesis, University of Science and Technology Med Boudiaf, Oran, Algeria

  • Bourokba SA, Hachichi A, Taibi S, Fleureau J-M (2010) Conductivité hydraulique non saturée de l’argile de Mers El Kébir (Algérie) [Unsaturated hydraulic conductivity of Mers El Kébir clay (Algeria)]. Eur J Environ Civ Eng 14:1297–1315

    Google Scholar 

  • Bourokba SA, Hachichi A, Souli H, Taibi S, Fleureau J-M (2015) Effect of lime on some physical parameters of a natural expansive clay from Algeria. Eur J Environ Civ Eng. doi:10.1080/19648189.2015.1093963

    Google Scholar 

  • Cabane N (2004) Sols traités à la chaux et aux liants hydrauliques Contribution à l’identification et à l’analyse des éléments perturbateurs de la stabilisation [Soils treated with lime and hydraulic binders. Contribution to the identification and analysis of disturbing elements of stabilization] (Ph.D thesis). École Nationale Supérieure des Mines de Saint-Étienne, France

  • Chew SH, Kamruzzaman AHM, Lee FH (2004) Physicochemical and engineering behavior of cement-treated clays. Geotech Geoenviron Eng 130(7):696–706

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Degirmenci N, Okucu A, Turabi A (2007) Application of phosphogypsum in soil stabilization. Build Environ 42:3393–3398

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dempsey BJ, Thompson MR (1968) Durability properties of lime–soil mixtures. Highway Research Record No. 235, National Research Council, Washington DC

  • Dong JC (2013) Investigation of aggregates size effect on the stiffness of lime and/or cement treated soils: from laboratory to field conditions. Ph.D. thesis. Université Paris Est, France

  • Evangelos IS (2006) A solution to the problem of predicting the suitability of silty-clayey materials for cement-stabilization. Geotech Geol Eng 24:379–398

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fleureau J-M, Indarto (1993) Comportement du limon de Jossigny remanié soumis à une pression interstitielle négative [Behavior of remolded Jossigny silt subjected to negative pore water pressure]. Revue Française de Géotechnique, no 62:59–66

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fleureau J-M, Kheirbek-Saoud S, Soemitro R, Taibi S (1993) Behavior of clayey soils on drying–wetting paths. Can Geotech J 30:287–296

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fleureau J-M, Verbrugge JC, Huergo PJ, Gomes Correia A, Kheirbek-Saoud S (2002) Description and modelling of the drying and wetting paths of compacted soils. Can Geotech J 39:1341–1357

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ghembaza MS, Taibi S, Fleureau J-M (2007) Effet de la température sur le comportement des sols non saturé sur les chemins de drainage et d’humidification [Effect of temperature on the behavior of unsaturated soils on drying–wetting paths]. Can Geotech J 44:1064–1081

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ghobadi MH, Babazadeh R, Abdilor Y (2014) Utilization of lime for stabilizing marly soils and investigating the effect of pH variations on shear strength parameters. J Eng Geol 8(1):1939–1962

    Google Scholar 

  • Hachichi A, Bourokba SA, Bengraa L, Fleureau J-M (2011) Influence de l’ajout de chaux sur le potentiel gonflement et la microstructure d’une argile naturelle d’Algérie. [Influence of added lime on the swelling potential and microstructure of a natural clay from Algeria]. INVACO 2: Séminaire International, Innovation et valorisation en génie civil matériaux et construction, Rabat, Morroco

  • Harichane K (2011) Modélisation du comportement des sols améliorés [Modelling of the behavior of improved soils]. PhD thesis. University of Science and Technology Med Boudiaf, Oran, Algeria

  • Harichane K, Ghrici M, Khebizi W, Missoum H (2010) Effect of the combination of lime and natural pozzolana on the durability of clayey soils. Electron J Geotech Eng 15:1194–1210

    Google Scholar 

  • Harichane K, Ghrici M, Missoum H (2011) Influence of natural pozzolana and lime additives on the temporal variation of soil compaction and shear strength. Front Earth Sci 5:162–169

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ikhlef NS, Ghembaza MS, Dadouch M (2014) Effect of cement and compaction on the physicochemical behavior of a material in the region of Sidi Bel Abbes. Eng Technol Appl Sci Res 4(4):677–680

    Google Scholar 

  • Ikhlef NS, Ghembaza MS, Dadouch M (2015) Effect of treatment with cement on the mechanical characteristics of silt from Telagh region of Sidi Belabes, Algeria. Geotech Geol Eng 33(4):1067–1079

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jamshidi A, Hamzah MO, Kurumisawa K, Nawa T, Samali B (2016) Evaluation of sustainable technologies that upgrade the binder performance grade in asphalt pavement construction. Mater Des 95:9–20

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kalkan E (2011) Impact of wetting drying cycles on swelling behavior of clayey soils modified by silica fume. Appl Clay Sci 52:345–352

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kalkan E, Akbulut S (2004) The positive effects of silica fume on the permeability, swelling pressure and compressive strength of natural clay liners. Eng Geol 73(1–2):145–156

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kenai S, Bahar R, Benazzoug M (2006) Experimental analysis of the effect of some compaction methods on mechanical properties and durability of cement stabilized soil. J Mater Sci 41:6956–6964

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Khattab SA (2002) Etude multi-échelles d’un sol argileux plastique traité à la chaux [Multiscale study of a plastic clayey soil treated with lime] Ph.D thesis. University of Orléans, France

  • Khattab SA, Al-Juari KAK, Al-Kiki I (2008) Strength, durability and hydraulic properties of clayey soil stabilized with lime and industrial waste lime. Al-Rafidain Eng 16(1):102–116

    Google Scholar 

  • Khemissa M, Mahamedi A (2014) Cement and lime mixture stabilization of an expansive overconsolidated clay. Appl Clay Sci 95:104–110

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kolias S, Kasselouri RV, Karahalios A (2005) Stabilisation of clayey soils with high calcium fly ash and cement. Cement Concr Compos 27(2):301–313

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Le Borgne T (2010) Caractérisation et quantification des éléments perturbateurs de prise lors du traitement des sols [Characterization and quantification of disturbing elements when treating soils] PhD thesis. Institut National Polytechnique de Lorraine, Nancy France

  • Le Runigo B (2008) Durabilité du limon de Jossigny traité à la chaux et soumis à différentes sollicitations hydriques: comportement hydraulique, microstructural et mécanique [Durability of lime-treated Jossigny silt subjected to different hydraulic solicitations: hydraulic, microstructural and mechanical behaviour] (Ph.D thesis). École Centrale de Nantes, France

  • Le Runigo O, Cuisinier YJ, Cui D, Deneele D (2009) Impact of initial state on the fabric and permeability of lime-treated silt under long-term leaching. Can Geotech J 46:1243–1257

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Locat J, Tremblay H, Leroueil S (1996) Mechanical and hydraulic behavior of a soft inorganic clay treated with lime. Can Geotech J 33:654–669

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ma Y, Hu J, Yea G (2013) The pore structure and permeability of alkali activated fly ash. Fuel J 104:771–780

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mehenni A, Cuisinier O, Masrouri F (2016) Impact of lime, cement, and clay treatments on the internal erosion of compacted soils. J Mater Civ Eng. doi:10.1061/(ASCE)MT.1943-5533.0001573

    Google Scholar 

  • Mohamedzein Y, Al-Rawas A (2011) Cement-stabilization of Sabkha Soils from Al-Auzayba, Sultanate of Oman. Geotech Geol Eng 29:999–1008

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Muntohar AS (2006) Prediction and classification of expansive clay soils. In: Al-Rawas AA, Goosen MFA (eds) Expansive soils: recent advances in characterization and treatment. Taylor & Francis Group, New York, pp 25–35

    Google Scholar 

  • Nalbantoglu Z, Tuncer ER (2001) Compressibility and hydraulic conductivity of chemically treated expensive clay. Can Geotech J 38:154–160

    Google Scholar 

  • Noor Megat JML (1994) Durability and strength characteristics of cement stabilized modified melaka series. J Islam Acad Sci 7(2):137–141

    Google Scholar 

  • Osula DOA (1996) A comparative evaluation of cement and lime modification of laterite. Eng Geol 42(1):71–81

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pakbaz MS, Alipour R (2012) Influence of cement addition on the geotechnical properties of an Iranian clay. Appl Clay Sci 67–68:1–4

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Parrot JF, Verdoni PA, Delaune M (1985) Analyse modale semi-quantitative d’après l’étude des rayons X [Semi quantitative modal analysis from XRD study]. Analusis 13:373–378

    Google Scholar 

  • Parsons RL, Kneebone E, Milburn JP (2004) Use of cement kiln dust for subgrade stabilization, Final report, Department of transportation, Kansas, p 65

  • Portelinha FHM, Lima DC, Fontes MPF, Carvalho CAB (2012) Modification of a lateritic soil with lime and cement: an economical alternative for flexible pavement layers. Soils Rocks São Paulo 35:51–63

    Google Scholar 

  • Rajasekaran G, Rao S (2002) Permability characteristics of lime treated marine clay. Ocean Eng 29:113–127

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sariosseiri F, Muhunthan B (2009) Effect of cement treatment on geotechnical properties of some Washington State soils. Eng Geol 104(2):119–125

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sayad GC (2003) Ecoulement dans les milieux poreux peu perméables saturés et non saturés [Flow in low permeability saturated and unsaturated porous media]. PhD thesis. University of Le Havre, France

  • Sherwood PT (1993) Soil stabilization with cement and lime: state-of-the-art review. Transport Research Laboratory, London: Her Majesty’s Stationery Office

  • Shihata SA, Baghdadi ZA (2001) Simplified method to assess freeze-thaw durability of soil cement. J Mater Civ Eng ASCE 13:243–247

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Souli H (2006) Etudes hydromécanique et physico-chimique de deux argiles en présence de cations métalliques [hydro-mechanical and physical-chemical studies of two clays in the presence of metal cations]. PhD thesis. Ecole Centrale Paris, France

  • Taibi S (1994) Comportement mécanique et hydraulique des sols soumis à une pression interstitielle négative. Etude expérimentale et modélisation [Mechanical and hydraulic behavior of soils subjected to negative pore water pressure. Experimental study and modelling], PhD thesis. Ecole Centrale Paris, France

  • Taibi S, Duperret A, Fleureau J-M (2009) The effect of suction on the hydro-mechanical behaviour of chalk rocks. Eng Geol 106(1–2):40–50

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Theivakularatnam M, Gnanendran CT (2015) Durability of lightly stabilised granular material subjected to freeze-thaw and wet-dry cycles. Geotech Spec Publ. doi:10.1061/9780784479087.127

    Google Scholar 

  • Tran NL (1977) Un nouveau essai d’identification des sols: l’essai au bleu de méthylène [A new soil identification test: the methylene blue test]. Bulletin de Liaison des Ponts et Chaussées 88:136–137

    Google Scholar 

  • Tran NT (2009) Valorisation de sédiments marins et fluviaux en technique routière, Valorisation of marine and river sediments in road technology. PhD thesis. University of Artois, France

  • Tran TD, Cui Y-J, Tang A-M, Audiguier M, Cojean R (2014) Effects of lime treatment on the microstructure and hydraulic conductivity of Héricourt clay. J Rock Mech Geotech Eng 6(5):399–404

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Venkatarama R, Prasanna K (2011) Cement stabilised rammed earth. Part A: compaction characteristics and physical properties of compacted cement stabilised soils. Mater Struct 44:681–693

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang Y, Cui Y, Tang A, Tang C, Benahmed N (2016) Changes in thermal conductivity, suction and microstructure of a compacted lime-treated silty soil during curing. Eng Geol 202:114–121

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Williams J, Shaykewich CF (1969) An evaluation of polyethylene glycol PEG 6000 and PEG 20000 in the osmotic control of soil water matric potential. Can J Soil Sci 102(6):394–398

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhang Z, Tao M (2008) Durability of cement stabilized low plasticity soils. J Geotech Geoenviron Eng 134(2):203–213

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zoubir W (2009) Effet des résidus minéraux sur l’amélioration des sols argileux de la région de Chlef. PhD thesis. University of Hassiba Ben-Bouali, Chlef, Algeria

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratoire Matériaux Sol et Thermique, Université des Sciences et Technologie Mohamed Boudiaf, BP 1505, EL-M’NOUAR, Oran, Algeria

    Ramzi Djelloul, Souad Amel Bourokba Mrabent & Abdelkader Hachichi

  2. Laboratoire MSS-Mat, CentraleSupélec, CNRS UMR 8579, Châtenay-Malabry, France

    Jean-Marie Fleureau

Authors
  1. Ramzi Djelloul
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Souad Amel Bourokba Mrabent
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Abdelkader Hachichi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Jean-Marie Fleureau
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Ramzi Djelloul.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Djelloul, R., Mrabent, S.A.B., Hachichi, A. et al. Effect of Cement on the Drying–Wetting Paths and on Some Engineering Properties of a Compacted Natural Clay from Oran, Algeria. Geotech Geol Eng 36, 995–1010 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10706-017-0370-1

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10706-017-0370-1

Keywords

Search

Navigation