Pollutants behaviour and temperature effect on chemical piles treated marine clay

Weak marine clay deposits are present in several regions of the world and they are imposing severe problems for structures founded in these deposits. The use of chemicals lime to improve the properties of these soft deposits is not new. In the present investigation, a test programme was carried out to study the influence of temperature on the engineering behaviour of chemical piles treated clays in the presence of sulphate and chloride contaminated marine environment. The formation of various cementation compounds due to soil-lime reactions were identified by X-ray diffraction studies, and the attributed changes occurred in the engineering properties of the soil systems were also brought out. The test results indicated that the increase in temperature has improved the engineering properties of soil significantly.     

Lime Stabilization of Soils Underlying a Salt Evaporation Pond: A Laboratory Study

The purpose of this article is to investigate a possible use of lime for the stabilization of base soils underlying salt evaporation ponds in Çamalt? Solar Marine Salt Plant. The plant is located on the old Gediz River Delta, on the north shore of the Izmir Bay-Turkey, where alluvial deltaic soft marine sediments constitute the local soil condition. The low bearing capacity of the pond base soils results in some problems on the mechanical harvest of the solar salt. Therefore, stabilization was taken into consideration for improving the productivity of the salt plant. For this purpose, bench-scale laboratory tests were performed on the specimens that had been sampled from the bases of the salt evaporation pond to investigate the influence of lime on the unconfined compressive strength (UCS) of these marine sediments. By interpreting the pH test results and consistency limits of the lime stabilized soils, optimum lime content was determined as 8%. The verification of the long-term pozzolanic reactions for the optimum lime content was conducted by performing UCS tests with up to six months curing periods, along with the microstructural analysis through X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD) and a scanning electron microscope (SEM). Long-term tests revealed that the optimum lime content successfully sustained the required pozzolanic reactions, and a strength gain of 500% was achieved for a six-month curing period.     

Permeability characteristics of lime treated marine clay

An attempt has been made to investigate the lime induced permeability changes in the permeability and engineering behavior of different lime column treated soil systems. Lime columns treated marine clay shows an increase in permeability up to a maximum value of 15–18 times that of untreated soil with time. The shear strength of the treated soil systems show an increment up to 8–10 that of untreated soil within a period of 30–45 days curing. In the case of lime injection systems, the permeability has been increased up to 10–15 times that of untreated soil, whereas the strength of the soil has been higher by 8–10 times that of untreated soil. Further, consolidation tests show a reduction in the compressibility up to 1/2–1/3 of original values. The test results revealed that both lime column and injection techniques could be used to improve the behaviour of underwater marine clay deposits.     

Sulphate Attack in Lime-Treated Marine Clay

The use of lime to improve the properties of soft clays is not new. Recently the deep lime mixing technique has been extended to coastal regions for improving the behavior of weak marine clays. But lime treatment technique should be approached carefully for clay containing a high percentage of sodium sulphate. The presence of sulphate in lime-treated clays may result in high swelling due to the formation of the expansive mineral, ettringite. A limited study of lime-treated marine clays has shown a need to further explore the formation of ettringite and its stability with time. In this article, a laboratory investigation was carried out to examine the influence of sodium and calcium sulphates on the behavior of lime column treated marine clay. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to identify the formation of various reaction products, including ettringite. Test results indicate that the formation of ettringite in the lime-sodium sulphate-clay system adversely affects the engineering behavior of the marine clay, whereas the addition of calcium sulphate significantly improves the engineering characteristics of the soil.     

Sulphate Attack in Lime-Treated Marine Clay

ABSTRACT

The use of lime to improve the properties of soft clays is not new. Recently the deep lime mixing technique has been extended to coastal regions for improving the behavior of weak marine clays. But lime treatment technique should be approached carefully for clay containing a high percentage of sodium sulphate. The presence of sulphate in lime-treated clays may result in high swelling due to the formation of the expansive mineral, ettringite. A limited study of lime-treated marine clays has shown a need to further explore the formation of ettringite and its stability with time. In this article, a laboratory investigation was carried out to examine the influence of sodium and calcium sulphates on the behavior of lime column treated marine clay. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to identify the formation of various reaction products, including ettringite. Test results indicate that the formation of ettringite in the lime-sodium sulphate-clay system adversely affects the engineering behavior of the marine clay, whereas the addition of calcium sulphate significantly improves the engineering characteristics of the soil.     

Lime migration studies in marine clays

Weak marine clay deposits are present in several regions of the world and they are imposing severe problems for structures founded in these deposits. The use of lime to improve the properties of these soft deposits is not new. In the present investigation, a test programme was carried out to study the migration of lime into the marine clay from the installed lime columns and lime slurry injected points. The formation of various cementation compounds due to soil-lime reactions were identified by X-ray diffraction studies and the attributed changes occurring in the engineering properties of the soil systems were studied. The test results indicate that a sufficient amount of lime is diffused into the soil systems with time and the presence of excessive sodium ions in sea water does not retard the effective penetration of lime into the soil. It is suggested that both the lime-column and lime-injection techniques can be conveniently used to improve the behaviour of soft marine clayey deposits. For weak marine clays under large depths of water, the lime-injection technique is better suited.     

Electrical Resistivity Features of Compacted Expansive Soils

An electrical resistance apparatus with a highly sensitive alternate current bridge was developed in the paper for the purpose of measuring the electrical resistivity of soils and eliminating the low frequency polarization. The electrical resistivity of Guangxi expansive soils was measured in the laboratory using the developed apparatus. The investigation result demonstrates that the electrical resistivity of the Guangxi expansive soil is a function of the electrical resistivity of soil skeleton and pore water, water content, degree of saturation and void ratio. Along with electrical resistivity, the matrix suction was measured, and the relationship between the electrical resistivity and matrix suction was analyzed. The electrical resistivity-volumetric water content curves are compared with the matrix suction-volumetric water content curves for these soils. The relationship of matrix suction-volumetric water content is observed to be the similar feature to that of the electrical resistivity-volumetric water content curve.     

Effect of Pollutants on the Physical and Engineering Behavior of Lime-Treated Marine Clay

Rapid industrial growth and increasing population has resulted in the discharge of wastes into the ocean, wastes which ultimately reach the seabed and contaminate the marine sediments. The soil-contaminants interaction, and their associated physico chemical properties with sediments control the behavior of marine clays. Marine clay deposits of low strength and high compressibility are located in many coastal and offshore areas. There are several foundation problems encountered in these weak marine clays. In this study, experimental work was carried out in the laboratory to stabilize soft marine clays using the lime column technique. Also the lime-induced effects on the physical and engineering behavior of marine clays in sulfate-contaminated marine environment was investigated. Consolidation tests indicate that compressibility of the lime-treated samples was reduced to 1/2-1/3 of the virgin soil after 45 days treatment. The test results also suggest that the lime column technique can be conveniently used to improve the behavior of contaminated marine clay deposits.     

Lime injection technique to improve the behaviour of soft marine clays

Soft marine clay deposits pose several foundation problems and such weak clay deposits have been found both along seacoasts and in offshore areas spread over many parts of the world. We suggest using some chemical injection techniques to improve the engineering behaviour of soft underwater marine clays. A test programme was carried out by injecting lime into a soft marine clay in a test tank. The penetration of lime into the soil was established by taking a number of pH measurements and calcium oxide estimation from samples taken at various radial distances. The improvement in the plasticity characteristics of the soil has been verified by indices tests. Test results indicated the improvement in the strength and reduction in the compressibility of the soil with time. The beneficial changes that occurred in the soil have been attributed to the formation of cementation compounds and these compounds have been identified by using X-ray Diffraction Technique (XRD). The test results show good promise for the use of lime grouting in the treatment of weak marine clayey deposits.     

Experimental Investigation of Unconfined Compression Strength and Stiffness of Cement Treated Salt-Rich Clay

Soft clay with high sodium chloride salt concentration is a problem encountered by geotechnical and highway engineers. Chemical stabilization using cement is an attractive method to improve the engineering properties of soft soil. However, very limited studies have been conducted to reveal the effect of salt concentration on the engineering properties of cement-stabilized soil and the reported results in literature are not consistent. The impact of sodium chloride salt on the strength and stiffness properties of cement-stabilized Lianyungang marine clay is studied in this study. The clay with various sodium chloride salt concentrations was prepared artificially and stabilized by various contents of Ordinary Portland cement. A series of unconfined compressive strength (UCS) tests of cement stabilized clay specimen after 7, 14, and 28 days curing periods were carried out. The results indicate that a high sodium chloride salt concentration has a detrimental effect on the UCS and stiffness of cement-stabilized clay. The detrimental effect of salt concentration on the strength and stiffness of cement-stabilized clay directly relates to cement content. Soils mixed with high cement content are more resistant to the negative effect of salts than soils mixed with low cement content. The ratio of modulus of elasticity to UCS of cement treated soil does not have an obvious relationship with salt concentration. The findings of this study present a rational basis for the understanding of the impact of salt on the engineering properties of cement-treated soil.     

Effect of Pollutants on the Physical and Engineering Behavior of Lime-Treated Marine Clay

Abstract

Rapid industrial growth and increasing population has resulted in the discharge of wastes into the ocean, wastes which ultimately reach the seabed and contaminate the marine sediments. The soil-contaminants interaction, and their associated physico chemical properties with sediments control the behavior of marine clays. Marine clay deposits of low strength and high compressibility are located in many coastal and offshore areas. There are several foundation problems encountered in these weak marine clays. In this study, experimental work was carried out in the laboratory to stabilize soft marine clays using the lime column technique. Also the lime-induced effects on the physical and engineering behavior of marine clays in sulfate-contaminated marine environment was investigated. Consolidation tests indicate that compressibility of the lime-treated samples was reduced to 1/2–1/3 of the virgin soil after 45 days treatment. The test results also suggest that the lime column technique can be conveniently used to improve the behavior of contaminated marine clay deposits.     

In Memoriam

Abstract

The engineering properties of deep continental margin sediments were determined on a worldwide basis. Deep Sea Drilling Project (DSDP) core data and material were utilized from over 900 cores obtained from 89 sites, primarily on the continental margins. Cores were recovered from penetrations to 200 m in water depths averaging 3000 m. Supplementary laboratory testing on selected cores was directed toward determining index properties and shear strength properties of the sediments. The study included a literature review of deep‐sea soil properties, the results of which are to be used by DSDP to evaluate foundation conditions for reentry cones with long casing strings. The results will also be used for a feasibility study of an ultradeepwater marine riser and well‐control system. The marine sediments examined can be divided into three main types: clay, calcareous ooze, and siliceous ooze. Sediment distribution consisted of 48% calcareous ooze, 43% clay, 6% siliceous ooze, and 3% volcanic ash. Because of the sample disturbance inherent in the deepwater coring operation, emphasis was placed on analyzing sediment properties not significantly affected by changes in in situ stresses and structure caused by sampling. Averages and ranges in values of water content and unit weight are presented for the three main sediment types. Plasticity and strength characteristics are discussed in detail and the elastic and compression properties are outlined. The geotechnical properties of deep continental margin soils are summarized.     

Review of continental shelf marine geotechnics: Distribution of soils,measurement of properties,and environmental hazards

Abstract

Sands and silty sands are the predominant surficial soils of continental shelves. Cohesive fine‐grained soils are typical off the mouths of large rivers, near bays and estuaries, and in basins located on the shelf. The stratigraphy of shelf soils is very poorly known for most engineering purposes, except in the vicinity of the Mississippi Delta.

Vibratory coring is the most common method of sampling shelf sands to depths of about 13 m; greater soil depths are sampled by borings often using drilling and wireline sampling tools. Employment of self‐contained or wireline static cone penetrometers to obtain in situ measurements of sands has not been as common in the United States as in Europe. Dynamic piston corers are the most common samplers in cohesive soils, but rotary and hydraulically activated incremental corers are becoming available for marine use. Self‐contained or wireline vane shear devices and static cone penetrometers are used for the in situ testing of cohesive soils, and the latter device is also used for cohesionless soils. Dynamic cone penetrometers have been developed and have had limited experimental use at sea. In situ electrical resistivity and nuclear‐transmission and backscatter probes have been used in cohesive soils to obtain bulk‐density and water‐content measurements and for stratigraphic correlation. Acoustical properties of cohesive and cohesionless soils have been measured by in situ probes and have been estimated from results of geophysical surveys made on ships that are under way.

Environmental hazards to the foundations of offshore structures include earthquakes, wave‐induced loading and scour, and burrowing animals. Reported bottom‐current velocities on the United States continental shelf appear to have maximums of about 0.5 m/s under fair‐weather conditions and greater than about 5 m/s under hurricane conditions. Cyclical loading of the seafloor induced by storm waves appears to be a major hazard to soil stability in some areas.

A representative sample of the widely scattered engineering and scientific literature of continental shelf marine geotechnics and geotechnically related subjects has been made to aid marine geologists, geotechnologists, and other specialists.     

Laboratory Studies on Property Changes in Surrounding Clays Due to Installation of Deep Mixing Columns

This paper has identified six major factors causing property changes in surrounding soils during and after installation of deep mixing columns: soil thixotropy, soil fracturing, cement penetration and diffusion, cementation, consolidation, and heating. Laboratory tests were performed to investigate the effects of soil thixotropy, soil fracturing, and cementation in a soft marine clay, Ariake clay. Laboratory tests were conducted to evaluate property changes in surrounding clays due to installation of deep mixing columns. Test results showed that an influential zone of property changes existed in surrounding clay ranging from the edge of the columns to the distance of about twice the radius of the columns. Within this influential zone, water content decreased as samples neared the columns, while pH values and electric conductivity increased. Test results also showed that undrained shear strengths of the surrounding clays decreased during mixing but regained after a 7-day curing period and continued increasing during 28 days in this study.     

Laboratory Studies on Property Changes in Surrounding Clays Due to Installation of Deep Mixing Columns

This paper has identified six major factors causing property changes in surrounding soils during and after installation of deep mixing columns: soil thixotropy, soil fracturing, cement penetration and diffusion, cementation, consolidation, and heating. Laboratory tests were performed to investigate the effects of soil thixotropy, soil fracturing, and cementation in a soft marine clay, Ariake clay. Laboratory tests were conducted to evaluate property changes in surrounding clays due to installation of deep mixing columns. Test results showed that an influential zone of property changes existed in surrounding clay ranging from the edge of the columns to the distance of about twice the radius of the columns. Within this influential zone, water content decreased as samples neared the columns, while pH values and electric conductivity increased. Test results also showed that undrained shear strengths of the surrounding clays decreased during mixing but regained after a 7-day curing period and continued increasing during 28 days in this study.     

Primary yielding locus of cement-stabilized marine clay and its applications

ABSTRACT

Strength and stiffness properties of materials are widely studied and used in civil engineering practice. However, most studies are based on unconfined conditions, which are different from real status of soil. This study investigated the primary yielding and yield locus for cement-stabilized marine clay. In this study, two types of cement-stabilized soils were studied through isotropic compression, triaxial drained shearing, unconfined compression, and bender element testing. Specimens with 20–50% of cement content and 7–90 days of curing period were used for the tests. Stress–strain behavior and primary yielding were evaluated, followed by construction of the primary yield locus. The characteristics of the primary yield locus and its development with curing time then were studied. The results showed that the properties of the primary yield locus were dependent on the type of stabilized soil, but were independent of the cement content and curing period. Thus, the approach provides a way to estimate the primary yield stress and drained stress path before primary yielding for cement-stabilized soil under confined condition. An empirical function was used to fit the primary yield locus. The primary isotropic yield stress was correlated to unconfined compressive strength or maximum shear modulus. Three indirect methods were proposed to predict the primary yield stress for cement-stabilized marine clay. The results showed that the primary yield stress can be estimated with reasonable accuracy.     

Axial compressive bearing capacity of piles in ‎oil-contaminated sandy soil using FCV

ABSTRACT

Oil and its derivatives contaminate many soils and not only affect their chemical and biological properties but also their geotechnical properties. As oil contamination may deteriorate the functioning of piles, this paper addresses the effects of oil contamination on soil–pile interactions. Axial compressive bearing capacities of two close-ended, instrumented piles were investigated in different oil-contaminated sand using frustum confining vessel. Three different oils (gasoil, crude oil, and used motor oil) at different contamination levels were considered and using some strain gauges, the toe, shaft, and the net total bearing capacity of piles, as well as load distributions along the pile length, were derived. The results show that the presence of oil between soil particles has considerable adverse effects on bearing capacities of model piles, especially the shaft bearing capacity. The oil viscosity and percentage, as well as the contaminated sand bed thickness around the piles, are the most influential parameters. The higher the oil viscosity and oil content, the lower the values of the piles’ bearing capacities in comparison to the uncontaminated sand. With some modifications on the bearing capacity parameters of CFEM method, a good agreement was observed between measured and calculated bearing capacity values.     

Geotechnical properties of dredged marine sediments treated at high water/cement ratio

Cement and lime are widely employed in soil and sediment treatment for an improvement of geotechnical properties, such as an increase in mechanical strength which enables beneficial use in various geotechnical applications. In this study, fine organic-rich dredged harbour sediments of 120% relative water content were treated with dry cement at contents varying between 2% and 10% of bulk sediment wet weight. Tests based on assessments of one-dimensional compression and Atterberg limits were performed on untreated and cement-treated sediments for various curing periods, as well as grain-size, SEM and X-ray diffraction analyses. The results confirm that increasing the cement content improves the geotechnical properties of these harbour sediments. Already in the early phase of curing (first 3 days of curing), particle size increases while sediment plasticity decreases. Changes in the compressibility behaviour include an increase in apparent preconsolidation pressure, in the compression index C _c and in the primary consolidation coefficient C _v, and a decrease in the secondary compression index . This means that the new materials are characterized by a behaviour intermediate between that of fine and that of coarser soils.     

Direct CPT and CPTu methods for determining bearing capacity of helical piles

Helical piles are structural deep foundation elements, which can be categorized as torque-driven piles without any limitations to implement in marine situations. Different methods are used to predict the axial capacity of helical piles, such as static analysis, but have some limitation for this type of piles on marine conditions. In situ testing methods as supplement of static analysis have been rarely used for helical piles. In geotechnical engineering practice, the most common in situ tests particularly applicable for coastal or offshore site investigation are cone penetration test (CPT) and piezocone penetration test (CPTu). The CPT is simple, repeatable, and prepares the continuous records of soil layers. In this paper, a data bank has been compiled by collecting the results of static pile load tests on thirty-seven helical piles in ten different sites including CPT or CPTu data. Axial capacities of thirty-seven helical piles in different sites were predicted by direct CPT methods and static analysis. Accuracy estimation of ten direct CPT methods to predict the axial capacity of helical piles was investigated in this study. Comparisons have been made among predicted values and measured capacity from the pile load tests. Results indicated that the recently developed methods such as NGI-05 (2005), ICP-05 (2005), and UWA-05 (2005) predicted axial capacity of helical piles more accurately than the other methods such as Meyerhof (1983), Schmertmann (1978), Dutch (1979), LCPC (1982), or Unicone (1997). However, more investigations are required to establish better correlation between CPT data and axial capacity of helical piles.     

Compressibility behaviour of lime-treated marine clay

The necessity to tap natural marine resources from the ocean beds represents a considerable challenge for the construction of offshore structures on weak marine deposits. The use of lime to improve the behaviour of soft clays is not new. The present investigation examines lime-induced changes in the compressibility of marine clay. The test results indicate a reduction of 1/2 to 1/3 in the compressibility of the soil system within 30 to 45 days of treatment. The formation of various cementation compounds due to soil–lime reactions improves the soil characteristics with time. The results encourage the application of lime column and lime injection techniques to improve the engineering behaviour of soft marine clayey deposits. However, one has to be cautious in applying the lime technique to marine clays that contain sodium sulfate.