Heating effect on swelling behaviour of expansive soils

To minimise potential structural damage to the overlying structures, foundation sites that contain expansive soils need treatment. One of the numerous improvement techniques currently available is thermal stabilisation. In an attempt to enhance the knowledge base on this subject matter, this paper presents the results of a study on the swelling behaviour of two heated expansive soils. The test specimens were heated in a programmable furnace at desired heating rates to desired temperatures. Swelling tests were performed to determine both the amount and rate of swelling. Based on the test results, the effect of heating on swelling behaviour was evaluated and the mechanism of swelling are discussed using the principles of physical chemistry and clay mineralogy. Meanwhile, the engineering significance of the research findings in terms of practical applications of thermal stabilisation are discussed. The findings of this study would provide a database useful for the design of structures that involve cohesive foundation soils using a holistic system approach.     

Effect of climate change on the trends of evaporation of phreatic water from bare soil in Huaibei Plain,China

When the soil condition and depth to water table stay constant, climate condition will then be the only determinant of evaporation intensity of phreatic water from bare soil. Based on a series of long-term quality-controlled data collected at the Wudaogou Hydrological Experiment Station in the Huaibei Plain, Anhui, China, the variation trends of the evaporation rate of phreatic water from bare soil were studied through the Mann-Kendall trend test and the linear regression trend test, followed by the study on the responses of evaporation to climate change. Results indicated that in the Huaibei Plain during 1991-2008, evaporation of phreatic water from bare soil tended to increase at a rate of 5% on monthly scale in March, June and July while in other months the increase was minor. On the seasonal basis, the evaporation saw significant increase in spring and summer. In addition, annual evaporation tended to grow evidently over time. When air temperature rises by 1 °C, the annual evaporation rate increases by 7.24–14.21%, while when the vapor pressure deficit rises by 10%, it changes from-0.09 to 5.40%. The study also provides references for further understanding of the trends and responses of regional evapotranspiration to climate change.     

活性氧化镁碳化固化粉质黏土微观机制

以活性氧化镁碳化固化粉质黏土为研究对象,通过无侧限抗压强度试验、酸碱度测试、X射线衍射试验、压汞试验和扫描电镜试验,研究了不同初始含水率和碳化时间影响下活性氧化镁碳化加固粉质黏土的强度、pH值、碳化产物和微观结构等变化。根据碳化固化土强度与碳化产物含量及累积孔隙体积间的内在联系,提出了粉质黏土的碳化反应微观模型。结果表明：随碳化时间增加和初始含水率减小,碳化固化土的碳化产物含量增加、累积孔隙体积减小,同时氧化镁碳化加固土的强度提高;碳化固化土的pH值随碳化时间不断减小,而随初始含水率变化不大;最后提出了粉质黏土的碳化反应微观模型,确定了活性氧化镁固化粉质黏土在碳化约6.0 h时可获得最高强度。     

Precipitation of calcium carbonate from hydrated lime of variable reactivity, granulation and optical properties

Different sources of lime for the production of precipitated calcium carbonate were studied. The reactivity of lime, its optical properties and those of the final products are reported and discussed, and a comparison made between lime from different sources. The influence of the temperature of hydration water on the optical properties and particle sizes after hydration and precipitation was also studied. It was found that coarser granulations of lime have better optical properties than finer granulations. The hydration temperature does not have an appreciable impact on the optical properties, but influences the intermediate, i.e. the calcium hydroxide particle sizes and subsequently the particle sizes of the precipitated calcium carbonate. Furthermore, the maximum temperatures of lime hydration from different European sources do not vary significantly, but they differ in the kinetics of the hydration process.     

Shear strength behaviour of compacted clayey soils percolated with an alkaline solution

In the French model of deep nuclear wastes repositories, the galleries should be backfilled with excavated argillite after the site has been filled. After thousands of years, the degradation of the concrete lining of the galleries will generate an alkaline solute (pH > 12) that would circulate through the backfill. The goal of this paper is to describe the impact of such solute circulation on the properties of compacted argillite. Since additives (bentonite, sand or lime) are often introduced in the remoulded argillite for the backfill, such mixtures were also studied. Saturated-portlandite water was circulated through compacted samples for 3, 6 and 12 months at 60 °C. The shear strength behaviour of the samples was determined with triaxial tests. The microstructure of the samples was analysed via mercury intrusion porosimetry tests and scanning electron microscopy. The results showed that the influence of the alkaline fluid on the properties of the argillite is a function of the nature of the additive. In the case of the calcareous sand, no major changes were observed. The pure argillite underwent a slight decrease in its cohesion due to limited dissolution of its clayey particles. Conversely, intense alteration of the bentonite–argillite mixture was observed, and the shear strength behaviour was modified. Lime addition improved the mechanical characteristics of the argillite.     

Interpretation of the lime column penetration test

Dry soil mix (DSM) columns can be used to reduce the settlement of embankments constructed on soft clays and to improve the stability. During construction the shear strength of the columns needs to be confirmed for compliance with technical assumptions. However, the measurement of the column shear strength can be a contentious issue. All methods of assessing the ultimate shear strength of DSM columns have limitations. These are caused by uncertainties in empirical probe factors required to convert pullout or push in force measured during the lime column penetration test to shear strength and/or testing a small proportion of the DSM column volume and determining whether it is representative of the strength of the entire column. The penetration resistance measured using the lime column test is considered to be more representative of average column shear strength than some other test types. This test can be carried out as a pullout resistance test (PORT) or a push in resistance test (PIRT). Both PORT and PIRT require empirical correlations of measured resistance to an absolute measure of shear strength, in a similar manner to the Piezocone test. In this paper, finite element techniques developed for assessment of T-bar, Ball and Piezocone penetration tests ,  and  are used to assess bounds for the empirical probe factor, N. To simulate the cemented DSM columns, analyses have incorporated a model for a strain softening material. Measured settlements from an embankment constructed on DSM ground improvement are then compared with finite element calculations to infer the shear strength of the columns. These inferred shear strengths are then compared with the results of PORT tests performed beneath the embankment.     

Invertebrate community response to experimental lime (Ca(OH)2) treatment of an eutrophic pond

Calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)₂), or hydrated lime, has recently been reintroduced in western Canada as a treatment to reduce macrophytes and algae in eutrophic waters. We examined the effects and recovery of aquatic invertebrates of the Ca(OH)₂ treatment (250 mg L^–1) of one half of a divided eutrophic pond compared to the untreated half. Nine weeks following treatment, total invertebrates on the untreated side were present at 1917 ± 555 individuals m^–2, and on the treated side at 822 ± 186 individuals m^–2. Notably, Chironomidae represented 13% of invertebrates on the untreated half, but dominated numerically with 72% on the treated half of the pond. The remaining five most abundant taxa in the untreated side were 88%–99% less abundant in the treated half of the pond. Diversity and evenness were twice as high for the untreated half as for the treated half of the pond. Because macrophytes were also extirpated with the Ca(OH)₂ treatment, macrophyteassociated taxa were absent or at low numbers in the treated half. The death of organisms on the treated side of the pond may have been caused (directly or indirectly) by the pH shock associated with Ca(OH)₂ treatments. Slow recolonization by most invertebrates during the year of treatment was probably due to the lack of heterogeneous macrophyte habitat. Follow-up sampling 3 years later indicated that the pond completely regained the abundance and biological diversity of flora and fauna.     

Modification of the properties of salt affected soils using electrochemical treatments

In this project, an in situ soil treatment technique using the principles of electrokinetics was tested using laboratory experimental models in order to identify the potential of this approach in modifying and reinstating the physical properties of salt affected soils. Experiments were conducted in the laboratory using saline-sodic soils collected from two salt affected regions in central Victoria, Australia. Soil specimens were compacted in glass tanks to reproduce in situ density and in situ water content. Using mild steel electrodes inserted into the soil, a direct current was passed through the soil under a constant potential gradient of 0.5 V/cm for a period of 14 days. In separate experiments, distilled water and a saturated lime solution were introduced to the soil via the anode over this experimental period. It was observed that the soil dispersion, otherwise known as soil sodicity (measured as ESP—Exchangeable Sodium Percentage and SAR—Sodium Absorption Ratio) decreased by up to 90% in most regions of the soil between the electrodes. The compressive strength of the soil increased in excess of 100% with electrokinetic treatment alone while the lime-enhanced electrokinetic treatment led to an almost 200% strength increase. The liquid limit and plastic limit of the soil increased causing the plasticity index to decrease, indicating increases in soil compressive strength and workability. These results indicate the potential of this technique for improving the physical properties of salt affected soils both effectively and efficiently, and in particular gives hope for the remediation of salt affected land for infrastructure management and development.     

Slope Stabilisation by Perennial “Gramineae” in Southern Italy: Plant Growth and Temporal Performance

In the territory of Altomonte, a village located in Calabria, in the Southern part of Italy, a new thermoelectrical station is under construction. This work involved major earthworks which regarded new excavated slopes. In order to protect soil from erosion due to rainfall and runoff and also in order to prevent superficial soil instability, it was decided to plant four different species of perennial “gramineae” plants (Eragrass, Elygrass, Pangrass and Vetiver) characterised by deep roots. Works began in November 2002 and ended in May 2003, a period marked by very different climate and meteorological conditions, varying from exceptionally rainy and cold winter to warm and dry spring months. The paper describes the different stages of the project and the monitoring programme for the following months. The extension of the work and the use of four different kinds of vegetation made periodic inspections of the entire site appropriate. Two in situ investigations, respectively performed in August 2003 and in November 2003, are outlined. The aim of these surveys was to confirm the success of the work by verifying the growth of the plants and roots. The principal monitored parameters were the percentage of sprouted plants, the height of the foliage and the depth of roots. The investigations showed good results, keeping in mind the very difficult climatic conditions and the extreme poor fertility of the topsoil laid down upon the clay layer: in particular, high survival rate were measured over the entire area of the works and the root systems have developed sufficiently to grow through the upper topsoil layer (0.2–0.3 m) into the underlying clay layer. In March 2004, a sampling programme was undertaken on the same site. Direct shear tests were carried out in the laboratory in order to evaluate the increase in shear strength of the rooted soil mass. The research involved the recovery of three undisturbed samples of soil with roots for each of the four types of “gramineae” plants and three undisturbed samples constituted only of soil, from the surface to a depth of 1.0 m. The tests were performed in a large direct shear apparatus on 200 mm diameter samples. The test results allowed to evaluate the roots’ contribution of the different gramineous species and to underline the direct correlation between the increase in soil shear strength and the root tensile strengths. In particular, an increase in cohesion ranging between 2 kPa and 15 kPa was recorded, according to the different species: the maximum values of increase in shear strength were reached by Vetiver roots, which are also characterised by the highest tensile strength.