Effect of surcharge loads during curing of lime-stabilised Cochin marine clay

Abstract

Marine clays possess poor engineering properties and need to be improved prior to any construction activities. Lime stabilisation is a widely adopted method of chemical stabilisation for such types of soils. This paper evaluates the effect of surcharge loads during curing of lime stabilisation of Cochin marine clays. In the case of lime-stabilised soil cured under surcharge loads, it is necessary to consider two processes – that is, cementation and consolidation—along which the structures of stabilised soils evolve. These two processes are interrelated and cannot be considered separately, especially in the early stages of curing when significant structural changes occur. This study investigated the strength and deformation characteristics of lime-stabilised Cochin marine clay subjected to surcharge loading during curing. The marine clay with 6% lime was subjected to surcharge loads of 20, 40 and 60 kPa for different curing periods up to 180 days. The effects of surcharge loading on shear strength and compressibility characteristics were evaluated at different curing periods.