Direct Shear Tests on Waste Tires–Sand Mixtures

Waste tires are used in some engineering applications and thereby reduce the potential impact on the environment, for example, as lightweight materials in geotechnical engineering projects. This paper presents a brief literature review on geotechnical applications of processed waste tires, and a laboratory study on the effect of tire shreds on the physical properties of two different sands (fine angular sand and coarse rotund sand). Each type of sand was mixed four different percentages of rubber particles; 5, 10, 20 and 50% by dry weight. Direct shear tests were employed to investigate the effect of rubber particles on the shear strength of sands and internal friction angle. The addition of shredded waste rubber particles slightly decreased both the internal angle of friction and the shear strengths of the sands within the tested stress and strain levels. Additionally, a prediction model using stepwise regression (SR) method is proposed to calculate the shear strength of sands with the increasing rubber content. The performance of accuracies of proposed SR models are quite satisfactory. The proposed SR models are presented as relatively simple explicit mathematical functions for further use by researchers.     

On the black cotton soils of North Cameroon

During detailed geotechnical prospecting in North Cameroon, extensive black cotton soil deposits were encountered. Based on classification tests, three samples were selected for mineralogical analysis. The results indicated that the predominant clay mineral was the halloysite governing the geotechnical properties and behaviour of the cotton soils. New correlations were established between clay mineral content and Atterberg limits of the investigated materials.     

Estimation of weathering rates for critical load calculations in Finland

 The formation of base cations through mineral weathering in forest soils is one of the key parameters in calculating critical loads. Weathering rates in Finland have been estimated using a variety of methods. In the first approach, three weathering rate categories were assigned to soils according to the bedrock type. The second approach was based on an empirical relationship obtained from Swedish field studies. Changes in zirconium content through the soil profile were used to estimate element losses in soil after deglaciation. These calculated losses correlated well with the total calcium and magnesium concentrations in till C-horizons and the effective temperature sum (ETS). Comprehensive geochemical data for the parent till fine fraction (<0.06 mm) was available through the reconnaissance scale till geochemical mapping program of the Geological Survey of Finland (GSF). The equations obtained from Swedish studies were based on the use of the coarse (<2.0 mm) till fraction, and the differences in element concentrations between the fine and coarse size fractions remained a potential source of uncertainty estimating overall weathering rates. In the third approach, new geochemical data from the <2.0 mm till fraction from southern Finland were used to make new weathering rate estimates. The use of soil geochemistry instead of bedrock map classification clearly led to an improvement in the estimates of soil weathering rates in glacied terrains. The use of the fine till fraction (<0.06 mm) in the zirconium approach generally resulted in overestimations of the weathering rate. The new geochemical data for the coarse till fraction (<2 mm) are now consistent with the input requirements of the zirconium method, although the results still require further evaluation. Finnish soil profiles have a shorter weathering history than most of the Swedish ones and the uppermost layer in Finnish podsols has in some cases developed in a different till layer than the C-horizon. Received: 15 October 1995 · Accepted: 8 March 1996     

堆石料级配缩尺方法对其室内试验结果的影响

对同一条现场级配曲线通过缩尺方法缩制成不同的试验模拟级配,进行了密度、力学和渗流特性的对比试验。试验结果显示：全采用等量替代法缩尺后由于小于5 mm含量保持不变,粗、细颗粒充填关系不理想,对应于密度和力学特性最差,渗透系数最大,随着混合法中相似级配法的使用,小于5 mm含量逐渐增加,粗、细颗粒充填关系得到明显改善,缩尺后的密度和力学特性逐渐增加,却带来渗透系数的逐渐减小。目前国内相关规程、规范对级配缩尺方法并没有做具体、明确的规定,有必要通过大量室内和现场对比试验,总结出室内科学的缩尺方法并建立反映缩尺效应的经验公式。     

Evaluation of shredded tyre chips as sorption media for passive treatment walls

The potential of shredded tyre chips, either on their own or mixed with gravel, to act as a permeable reactive barrier has been examined by carrying out tests for assessing sorption characteristics and establishing their mechanical properties. Sorption–desorption tests have been carried out using free product petrol and paraffin and aqueous phase phenol and cresols.

Compaction and compressibility tests have been carried out to establish optimum tyre–chip mixes in order to optimise the mix in terms of compressibility behaviour. The results demonstrate that tyre chips show significant promise for incorporation in a permeable reactive barrier. The evidence indicates that they would be particularly effective for the retardation of aqueous phase hydrophobic organic contaminants and residual free product. Optimum mixes of 2–6 mm tyre chips and 20 mm gravel, in terms of mechanical stability, will contain just under 10% of tyre chips.     

Evaluation of Strength Characteristics of Tropical Black Clay Treated with Locust Bean Waste Ash

An expansive tropical black clay (also known as black cotton soil because the cotton plant thrives well on it) was treated with up to 15 % locust bean waste ash (LBWA) to assess its soil improvement potential. Samples were subjected to index, compaction using three energy levels (British Standard light, BSL, West African Standard, WAS or ‘Intermediate’ and British Standard heavy, BSH), shear strength (unconfined compressive strength, UCS), California bearing ratio, CBR and durability tests. Results obtained show that the natural soil is not suitable for road construction. The maximum dry density (MDD) and optimum moisture content (OMC) decreased and increased, respectively. Regardless of the compactive effort and curing period, strength and durability properties increased with higher LBWA content with the BSL effort recording the best improvement. However, based on durability results, the optimal 12.5 % LBWA treatment of black cotton soil did not satisfy criteria for its use in road construction as a stand alone additive. Also, significant improvement in soil properties was obtained using the BSL compactive effort, which is easily achieved in the field. The benefits of the application include reduction in the cost of soil improvement and the adverse environmental impact of locust bean waste.     

粒组含量对钙质砂压缩变形特性影响的宏细观研究

钙质砂是一种海洋生物成因的特殊岩土介质,其颗粒形态与基本性质较一般陆源砂有很大的不同。一方面通过钙质砂及石英砂的显微镜三维成像试验,对比研究了钙质砂的三维颗粒形态特征。发现相比石英砂,钙质砂颗粒棱角更显著,轮廓趋于扁平。另一方面,对两砂进行一维压缩试验,分析了各粒组含量对钙质砂压缩特性的影响规律,并利用三维形态分析从细观上解释了钙质砂的压缩宏观特性。发现相同级配、密实度下,钙质砂的压缩性比石英砂高约60%～160%（以av1-2表征）,且粗粒组（5～1 mm）含量对钙质砂的压缩性影响最为显著;当粗粒组含量<25%,中、细粒组质量比值M一定时,存在最劣粗粒含量使钙质砂压缩性最大,且该值随着M的增大而减小,并提出了一个经验公式。     

The impact of natural ornamental limestone dust on swelling characteristics of high expansive soils

Expansive soils are considered as a potential natural hazard if they are not adequately treated. Expansive soils have high potential for shrinking and swelling under changing moisture conditions and cause extensive damages to engineering infrastructures. This study is concerned with the suitability of natural ornamental limestone dust to reduce the swelling characteristics of high expansive soils. The results are revealed that the swelling pressure and percent of heave are greatly decreased with increasing the inserted core diameters and mixing percentages of limestone dust. The average reduction percent values of swelling pressure and percent of heave are increased from 2.21% to 43.09% and from 2.56% to 45.64%, respectively, for treated soil samples with increase in limestone dust core diameters from 5 mm to 20 mm (1% to 16% of total soil area). The average reduction percent values of swelling pressure and heave percent are increased from 10.29% to 70.73% and from 22.29% to 82.90%, respectively, for treated soil samples with increase in limestone dust mixing percentages from 10% to 30%. The results are revealed that the enhancement in swelling characteristics of high expansive soils that are treated by ornamental limestone dust is mostly attributed to the replacement of high expansive fine clay particles by non-expansive and non-plastic coarse limestone dust particles, and to the presence of a considerable amount of free lime in limestone dust (4.97% as [Ca(OH)₂]) that is responsible for converting the high expansive soils to less expansive soils by pozzolanic reaction. The mixing treatment method is more suitable for surficial and shallow foundation high expansive soil beds, while the compacted limestone dust piles “inserted limestone dust core method” are more suitable for deep foundation high expansive soil beds.     

Influence of size of granulated rubber and tyre chips on the shear strength characteristics of sand–rubber mix

Use of scrap tyres in isolation systems for seismic damping, requires a knowledge of the engineering properties of sand–rubber mixtures (SRM). The primary objective of this study is to assess the influence of granulated rubber and tyre chips size and the gradation of sand on the strength behaviour of SRM by carrying out large-scale direct shear tests. A large direct shear test has been carried out on SRM considering different granulated rubber and tyre chip sizes and compositions. The following properties were investigated to know the effect of granulated rubber on dry sand; peak shear stress, cohesion, friction angle, secant modulus and volumetric strain. From the experiments, it was determined that the major factors influencing the above-mentioned properties were granulated rubber and tyre chip sizes, percentage of rubber in SRM and the normal stress applied. It was observed that the peak strength was significantly increased with increasing granulated rubber size up to rubber size VI (passing 12.5 mm and retained on 9.5 mm), and by adding granulated rubber up to 30%. This study shows that granulated rubber size VI gives maximum shear strength values at 30% rubber content. It was also found that more uniformly graded sand gives an improved value of shear strength with the inclusion of granulated rubber when compared to poorly graded sand.     

砾钢渣抗液化特性试验研究

陈化的钢渣作为土工回填材料是废弃钢渣循环利用的主要途径之一。按土的工程分类方法,将废弃钢渣划分为砾钢渣、粗钢渣和细钢渣。针对砾钢渣,考虑固结应力比、振动频率、围压和含砾量等影响因素开展动三轴试验研究。分析了砾钢渣的应力、应变和动孔隙水压力的特性,分析了砾钢渣试样的动强度与振动次数、动应变与振动次数、孔隙水压力与振动次数和动应力与动应变关系。采用Seed和Finn提出的饱和砂土动孔压计算模型分析砾钢渣的动孔压曲线类型,并与传统砂砾土的抗液化强度进行比较。得出砾钢渣的抗液化特性较好,工程中可以用砾钢渣替代传统的砂土、砂砾土、砂砾料和砂卵石作为回填料,解决砂砾资源日渐短缺的问题。     

Assessment of Ornamental Stone Waste as Expansive Soil Stabilizer

This work aims to assessment of the calcitic ornamental stone waste for the stabilization of expansive soil. Calcitic rock-derived waste together with different expansive soils from Egypt were characterized and processed for stabilizer optimization. The mineral, chemical and engineering characteristics of the waste and the soil samples were examined using XRD, DTA, TGA, SEM, XRF as well as geotechnical characteristics such as liquid, plastic and shrinkage limits, plasticity index, free swelling, and uni-axial compressive strength, respectively. The calcitic waste has been calcined in an electrical muffle furnace at 1000℃ for 1 hour. The samples were treated by 0–8% waste post calcination for soaking time1– 4 weeks.     

对混合土液塑限试验的讨论

土的液塑限试验是土工试验常见试验之一。含有一定数量粗粒组的混合土,用0.5 mm以下粒径范围的土作液塑限试验,得到的液塑限偏低,由此土的分类定名不符合实际。建议用0.075 mm以下粒径范围的土做液塑限试验。     

Adaptive neuro-fuzzy modeling for the swelling potential of compacted soils

This paper aims to present the usability of an adaptive neuro fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) for the prediction swelling potential of the compacted soils that are important materials for geotechnical purposes such as engineered barriers for municipal solid waste, earth dams, embankment and roads. In this study the swelling potential that is also one of significant parameters for compacted soils was modeled by ANFIS. For the training and testing of ANFIS model, data sets were collected from the tests performed on compacted soils for different geotechnical application in Nigde. Four parameters such as coarse-grained fraction ratio (CG), fine-grained fraction ratio (FG), plasticity index (PI) and maximum dry density (MDD) were presented to ANFIS model as inputs. The results obtained from the ANFIS models were validated with the data sets which are not used for the training stage. The analyses revealed that the predictions from ANFIS model are in sufficient agreement with test results.     

The use of shredded waste tires to improve the geotechnical engineering properties of sands

A new geo-environmental approach was proposed to use waste tires in certain engineering applications and thereby reduce the potential impact on the environment. This paper presents a laboratory study on the effect of shredded tires on the physical properties of some sands. Shredded tires were passed through US sieve size 4 and mixed with three different types of sands with varying gradations. Each type of sand was mixed with four different percentages of shredded tires: 10, 20, 30 and 40% by dry weight. Direct shear tests were conducted to study the effect of the shredded tires on the shear strength properties of sands, such as angle of internal friction and shear strength. The addition of shredded waste tires increased both the angle of internal friction and the shear strength of the sands. Additionally, a prediction model was developed to calculate the shear strength of sand due to increasing shredded tire content. The shredded tires improved some engineering properties of sand.     

Geotechnical properties of stabilised Indian red earth

Locally available soils amended with sufficient bentonite are generally used for construction of liners for water and waste retention facilities. The amount of bentonite required to keep the hydraulic conductivity low varies with the nature of the local soil. Many studies have shown that bentonite content higher than 20% by weight is not usually required. This is also the case with Indian red earth containing predominantly quartz and kaolinite minerals. Incorporating bentonite, though keeps the hydraulic conductivity of soil low, increases the swelling and shrinkage potential; increases the loss of strength due to reduction in cohesion. This paper aims to improve the geotechnical properties of red earth and bentonite mixture with lime or cement. The studies reveal that the geotechnical properties of red earth with 20% by weight bentonite stabilised with 1% by weight of lime or cement are greatly enhanced, particularly after curing for 28 days. it has been shown that the early gain in strength is better with cement whereas its long-term strength gain is better with lime.     

Prediction of the unconfined compressive strength of compacted granular soils by using inference systems

Adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) and artificial neural network (ANN) models have been extensively used to predict different soil properties in geotechnical applications. In this study, it was aimed to develop ANFIS and ANN models to predict the unconfined compressive strength (UCS) of compacted soils. For this purpose, 84 soil samples with different grain-size distribution compacted at optimum water content were subjected to the unconfined compressive tests to determine their UCS values. Many of the test results (for 64 samples) were used to train the ANFIS and the ANN models, and the rest of the experimental results (for 20 samples) were used to predict the UCS of compacted samples. To train these models, the clay content, fine silt content, coarse silt content, fine sand content, middle sand content, coarse sand content, and gravel content of the total soil mass were used as input data for these models. The UCS values of compacted soils were output data in these models. The ANFIS model results were compared with those of the ANN model and it was seen that the ANFIS model results were very encouraging. Consequently, the results of this study have important findings indicating reliable and simple prediction tools for the UCS of compacted soils.     

Seismic Slope Stability of Embankments Constructed with Pond Ash

Utilization of pond ash in large earthworks for geotechnical applications like construction of highway embankments, raising of ash dykes and filling low lying areas (construction fills), solves the waste disposal problem besides conserving the natural soils. However, design and construction of such geotechnical structures particularly in earthquake prone areas, requires thorough understanding of dynamic response of these structures under different seismic loading conditions. Here in this article, dynamic stability of embankments raised around the perimeter of ash ponds by the upstream and down stream methods of construction with coarse (ash from inflow point) and fine (ash from outflow point) pond ash materials, has been computed for different site specific earthquake scenarios appropriate for Delhi region. The performance of the embankments is analyzed using Quake/w and Slope/w software packages for steady-state seepage condition. The required dynamic properties of the materials are obtained form the various field and laboratory tests. The geotechnical structures constructed with ash exhibited similar type of response as that of with the natural soils. The performance of the structures is influenced by number factors such as type of construction (e.g. upstream or downstream), insitu conditions (e.g. stresses, density, phreatic line), and magnitude of dynamic loads, besides on the static and dynamic characteristics of the materials. The structures with the fine ash exhibit higher vulnerability to liquefaction related failures, which emphasizes need for carrying site-specific studies and adoption of proper construction measures to ensure design parameters.     

Physical and Compaction Behaviour of Clay Soil–Fly Ash Mixtures

At present, nearly 100 million tonnes of fly ash is being generated annually in India posing serious health and environmental problems. To control these problems, the most commonly used method is addition of fly ash as a stabilizing agent usually used in combination with soils. In the present study, high-calcium (ASTM Class C—Neyveli fly) and low-calcium (ASTM Class F—Badarpur fly ash) fly ashes in different proportions by weight (10, 20, 40, 60 and 80 %) were added to a highly expansive soil [known as black cotton (BC) soil] from India. Laboratory tests involved determination of physical properties, compaction characteristics and swell potential. The test results show that the consistency limits, compaction characteristics and swelling potential of expansive soil–fly ash mixtures are significantly modified and improved. It is seen that 40 % fly ash content is the optimum quantity to improve the plasticity characteristics of BC soil. The fly ashes exhibit low dry unit weight compared to BC soil. With the addition of fly ash to BC soil the maximum dry unit weight (γ_dmax) of the soil–fly ash mixtures decreases with increase in optimum moisture content (OMC), which can be mainly attributed to the improvement in gradation of the fly ash. It is also observed that 10 % of Neyveli fly ash is the optimum amount required to minimize the swell potential compared to 40 % of Badarpur fly ash. Therefore, the main objective of the study was to study the effect of fly ashes on the physical, compaction, and swelling potential of BC soils, and bulk utilization of industrial waste by-product without adversely affecting the environment.     

冻融循环对黏质粗粒土单轴抗压性能影响的试验研究

循环冻融作用下粗粒土的力学性质对于高寒地区边坡稳定性分析意义重大。以藏区某一排土场土体作为依托,开展了不同冻融循环次数后不同级配黏质粗粒土的单轴压缩试验,研究冻融循环作用对黏质粗粒土单轴抗压性能的影响。结果表明：冻融循环作用对黏质粗粒土应力-应变关系曲线性状及破坏模式有一定的影响,可使其应变呈现由脆性破坏（软化）向塑性流动（硬化）变化的规律。当提高冻融循环次数时,该类土体的弹模和抗压强度均显著减小,其中5~9次冻融循环前减小幅度较大,之后基本保持不变。单轴抗压性能的弱化与土样循环冻融过程中伴随的细颗粒团聚、大中孔隙增多、密实度下降有关。20次冻融循环后,该土质土样抗压强度、弹模最大降低幅度各自高达43%和77%。可见随着提高细砾组的含量,土样的抗压强度和弹模均呈现下降的趋势,这与该土样内粗、细土颗粒的比例及强度发挥机理密切相关。粗粒土单轴抗压破坏应变随冻融循环次数和细砾组含量的增加有一定的增加趋势。