Thesis-Sand Cemeted Grout
Thesis-Sand Cemeted Grout
Thesis-Sand Cemeted Grout
GROUTED LOOSE SANDY SOILS
A Thesis
Submitted by
SANTHOSH KUMAR. T. G.
for the award of the degree
of
DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY
(Faculty of Engineering)
Grouted Loose Sandy Soils”, submitted to Cochin University of Science and Technology,
Kochi-22, for the award of Ph.D. Degree, is the record of bonafide research carried out by
Cochin University of Science and Technology. This work did not form part of any
dissertation submitted for the award of any degree, diploma, associateship or other similar
Excavating the poor soil and replacing it with soil having desired
properties is normally economical only when soil has to be treated down to a
depth of 3 m and the water table is below 3 m. If the water table is high,
1
Chapter-1
Grouting is effective in both sand and silt deposits. Grouts are liquid
suspensions or solutions that are injected into the soil mass to improve its
behaviour. Such liquids can permeate into the void space of the soil and bind
the soil particles together. For medium sands or coarser materials the grout used
most often is a slurry of water and cement. This slurry however, cannot enter
into the void space of fine sand and silts for which chemical grouts are used.
2
Introduction
3
Chapter-1
permeability of grouted soils are presented and the scope of the present work is
also brought out in this chapter.
An account of the materials used and the testing methods adopted in the
present investigation are given in Chapter 3. The selection and preparation of
grouting materials and the medium to be grouted are explained. Detailed
accounts of the testing methods are also presented.
Chapter 5 discusses the design and fabrication of the grouting set up and
results of investigations carried out on prepared sand beds in steel tanks, using
this grouting set up. The results obtained from the measurement of cross section
area of grouted mass and determination of cement content by chemical analysis
4
Introduction
at different radial distances and depths are presented. The results of the load
tests conducted on the cement grouted sand beds and the influence of the
admixtures in improving the lateral flow of the grout are also presented in this
chapter.
5
Chapter-1
6
Chapter 2
REVIEW OF LITERATURE
2.1 Introduction
2.2 Strength improvement on densification
Contents
2.1 Introduction
Grouting, which has several applications in the field of civil engineering,
was once considered as a mysterious operation. The effectiveness of grouting
requires a lot of understanding, skill, meticulous attention and an intuitive
perception. Eventhough grouting was started 200 years ago, it was treated for a
long time, as an art which eluded scientific investigation and improvement
(Nonveiller, 1989). Its performance was for some time, more or less a privilege
and a well protected secret of a few specialist companies. The curious image of
grouting is changing slowly, as research and development broaden our
knowledge in this area.
7
Chapter-2
8
Review of Literature
factors, such as: soil conditions, required degree of the compaction, type of
structure to be supported, maximum depth of compaction, as well as site-
specific considerations such as sensitivity of adjacent structures or installations,
available time for completion of the project, competence of the contractor,
access to equipment and materials etc (Massarsch and Fellenius, 2002).
9
Chapter-2
Jet grouting done to stabilize underlying marine clay, using double fluid
system, a thick layer of jet grouting pile provided from 5m thick using ultra
high pressure cement grout injection that cuts and mixes with the soil to be
treated with cement grout under controlled insertion, rotation and withdrawal.
The formed jet grouting pile, increase in shear strength and acts as a barrier
forming impermeable strata, struts the sheet pile as structural support for
excavation (Vadivel, 2006).
10
Review of Literature
11
Chapter-2
the soil and to determine the groutability of soils (Vipulanandan and Orgurel,
2009).
12
Review of Literature
Berry and Buhrow (1992) studied the settlement, structural failure and
in-place repair of above ground storage tanks with many sizes and placed on
foundations of varying nature. The causes of tank stress and failure are
reviewed, including some environmental control concerns and causes, and
related to tank foundation problems. The uneven movement and settlement of
foundation soils can be stopped by grouting.
13
Chapter-2
the improved soil mass. Preloading effect was more significant in reducing wall
displacement than anticipated. Jet grouting also increases the overall strength
of improved soil mass. Other improvement methods, such as compaction grout
column and displacement pile driving may be even more effective than jet
grouting (Hsieh et al., 2003).
In order to take into account the effect of cement grout in the pores of
the granular material, adhesive forces were added at each contact point to the
mechanical forces determined from the external stresses applied on the granular
assembly. The magnitude of those adhesive forces depends on the nature of the
grout and on the concentration of the grout in cement particles. The expression
14
Review of Literature
15
Chapter-2
There are two basic factors which govern the penetrability of grout, the
first one is the viscosity of the grout and the second is granulometry of the grout
material vis-a vis the permeability and dimensions of pore space in the
alluvium. The viscosity of the grout into the intergranular spaces of the
formation to be grouted depends much on the viscosity of the grout. The
viscosity of an ideal grout mix should be sufficiently low so that it can be
pumped easily and can penetrate through the fine interspaces, but not as low as
to travel long distance without appreciable pressure drop (Datye,1961). Among
the various properties of grout suspensions, fluidity and stability are of prime
importance (Nonveiller, 1989).
16
Review of Literature
17
Chapter-2
18
Review of Literature
19
Chapter-2
possible to inject more material into the formation voids. Retarders are
found to be more effective in reducing the viscosity. Antibleeders also
caused a reduction in viscosity upto an optimum dosage as in the case of
accelerator beyond which it increased. Expander caused considerable
increase in viscosity of cement-bentonite mixes. Commonly available
expander, aluminium powder, causes boiling of the suspension
accompanied by enormous heat evolution if added in excess (Lovely et al.
1998).
Variation in the grain size and grain size distribution of the grouted
sand have a significant influence on the mechanical properties of the
grouted mass; less important are the effects of initial density and degree
of saturation by water. The influence of grain shape and mineralogy also
appear to be relatively insignificant (Christopher et al. 1989).
20
Review of Literature
The cohesion linearly varies with cement content, the magnitude of the
cohesion gained by grouting and also the friction angle is a slightly increasing
function of cement content. The increase in angle of friction is negligible with
respect to cohesion (Maalej et al. 2007).
At a medium porosity, the shear box gives angle Ø the same order as
that of given by the triaxial. Denser samples give a higher angle in the shear
box, looser samples a lower angle. (Nash et al. 1953)
22
Review of Literature
and modifies the type of failure of grouted sand (brittle failure at strains less
than 0.3%) (Ata and Vipulanandan 1999).
In low cement contents and low confining pressures the highest shear
strength of cemented soils belongs to the soil cemented with Portland cement.
Increasing the confining stress, the shear strength of soil cemented with
Portland cement drops lower than the shear strength of the soil cemented with
gypsum. However, it is still higher than the shear strength of soil cemented with
lime. The rate of increase in shear strength of soils cemented with Portland
cement reduces with increase in confining stress when the amount of
cementation is low. When the cement content increases to 4.5% the shear
strength of the soil cemented with Portland cement is always higher than the
shear strength of the soil cemented with gypsum and lime (Haeri et al. 2006).
23
Chapter-2
24
Review of Literature
high densities, a significant proportion of the cement fills in the void spaces and
does not contribute significantly to the inter-particle bonding. Thus the
effectiveness of a given proportion of cement decreases as the density increases
(Huang and Airey, 1998).
Consoli et al. (1998) studied the influence of fiber and cement addition
on behaviour of sandy soil and found that the addition of cement to soil
increases stiffness and peak strength. Fiber reinforcement increases both the
peak and residual triaxial strengths decreases stiffness, and changes the
cemented soil’s brittle behavior to a more ductile one. The triaxial peak strength
increase due to fiber inclusion is more effective for uncemented soil.
25
Chapter-2
26
Review of Literature
Acar and El-Tahir (1986) studied the low strain dynamic properties of
artificially cemented sand and found that, the relative increase in the stiffness
coefficient with cementation could be expressed with stiffness ratio. This ratio
is nonlinearly related to both the degree of cementation and void ratio. The
stiffness ratio is higher for dense specimens. For weakly cemented specimens,
the stiffness ratio could be estimated from knowledge of unconfined
compressive strength or the cohesion intercept.
Das et al (1995) reported that the tensile strength increases with the
increase of the cement content, accompanied by a decrease in the tensile strain
at failure. Ribay et al. (2006) reported that microfine cement grout and mineral
grout can be used as permanent soil treatment since they present high creep
limits strengths compared to silicate grout which was essentially used for
temporary treatment.
27
Chapter-2
Consoli et al. (2007) reported that the addition of cement, even in small
amounts, greatly improves the soil strength. The unconfined compression
strength increased approximately linearly with an increase in the cement
content. The rate of strength gain, increased with an increase in the dry density
of the compacted soil cement, indicating that the effectiveness of the cement is
greater in more compacted mixture. For a given dry density, the variation in
moisture content affected the unconfined compression strength of the soil
cement. Generally, an increase in strength is observed with increasing moisture
content until a maximum value is reached, after which the strength decreases. It
appears that this effect of moisture content varies with the cement content. The
reduction in the porosity of the compacted mixture greatly improves the
strength. Hence the unconfined compression strength increased approximately
exponentially with a reduction in the porosity of the compacted mixture.
The cement content increased in cement admixed clay, while fixing clay
water content, after curing the void ratio decreased and the strength increased.
As the clay water content increased while maintaining the cement content
constant, after curing void ratio increased and strength decreased (Lorenzo and
Bergado, 2004).
28
Review of Literature
cement ratio from 2 to 0.8. the UCS of slag cement grout with sodium
hydroxide and grouted sand is about two fold of grout with sodium silicate at 28
days. the flexural strength increases with decrease in w:c ratio. ( Sinroja et al.
2006).
29
Chapter-2
30
Review of Literature
31
Chapter-2
hand, if the grain size of stabilized sand is small, the permeability does not
increase excessively as long as dilatancy does not occur (Mori and Tamura,
1986).
The latest tendency of the dam designers is to direct their efforts towards
a more precise analysis of rock masses and an estimate of the static and
dynamic effect of water seeping through the joints and fissures. When the
reservoir is filled, the water pressure builds up behind the rock slopes unless it
is relived by the curtain grouting and drainage. Positive drainage and grouting
is recommended for eliminating interstitial water pressure and developing
maximum possible bearing capacity of the foundation (Desmukh, 1978).
For grout injected specimens, decreasing the water to cement ratio of the
grout and increasing the curing time significantly lowered the permeability and
32
Review of Literature
increasing the strength, whereas increasing the distance from the injection point
had little effect on the permeability and produced meaningful reductions in
strength. These trends are consistent with the sand acting as a filter for the grout
suspension (Schwarz and Krizek, 1994).
33
Chapter-2
34
Review of Literature
3. To study how the commonly used admixtures affect the strength of the
cement grouted soils.
35
Chapter-2
36
Chapter 3
MATERIALS AND METHODS
3.1Introduction
3.2 Materials
3.2.1 Sand
3.2.2 Cement
3.2.3Bentonite
3.2.4Cochin marine clay
Contents
3.2.5Lime
3.3Grouting operations
3.3.1 Grout impregnation by hand mixing
3.3.2 Grout impregnation by pumping
3.4 Testing Methods
3.4.1 Shear strength test
3.4.2 Compressive strength test
3.4.3 Cross sectional area of grouted mass
3.4.4 Cement content determination
3.4.5 Load tests
3.4.6 Permeability
3.1 Introduction
medium, grout mix design and suitable grouting techniques. The specific
mechanical properties that are important in the selection of a grout for a specific
37
Chapter-3
filling large fissures in rock to alluvial grouting. The aim of the present
improve the bearing capacity and to reduce the permeability of loose sand
medium. Wide range of grouting materials are available in the field of grouting,
ranging from suspension grouts to solution grouts.
medium was chosen as the formation to be grouted. The details of the grouting
3.2 Materials
granular medium and the purpose of grouting. Cement, bentonite, clay and lime
are the grouting materials normally used for grouting a granular medium. In the
present study sand was used as the grouting medium and cement (with or
without admixtures), lime and clay were used as the grouting materials.
3.2.1 Sand
As mentioned, sand was used as grouting medium for this study. River
sand procured from Kalady, which is a branch of the Periyar river - was dried
and sieved into different fractions. River sand of three grades - fine (75 µm-
38
Materials and Methods
425 µm), medium (425 µm- 2 mm) and coarse (2mm- 4.75mm) fractions as per
ASTM (D2487-10) and BIS (1498 -1970) classifications were used in the
present study. The grain size distribution curves of different fractions of sand
are shown in Fig.3.1.
100
FINE SAND
80 MEDIUM SAND
COARSE SAND
60
Percentage finer
40
20
0
0.01 0.1 1 10
Particle size (mm)
3.2.2 Cement
used for the preparation of cement grouts. The cement bags were kept in air
tight bins to avoid any change in the properties with the time of storage. The
experiments were planned in such a manner that once a bag of cement was
opened, the whole cement was utilized within 10 days. The physical properties
39
Chapter-3
of cement are presented in table 3.1. and its grain size distribution curve is
shown in figure 3.2.
Table 3.1. Properties of the cement used.
Sl.No. Property Characteristic value
1 Standard Consistency 28%
2 Initial setting time 131 minutes
3 Final setting time 287 minutes
4 Blaine’s Sp. Surface 298500 mm2/g
5 Sp. Gravity 3.14
6 Compressive strength
35.1 N/mm2
(i)7days
44.0 N/mm2
(ii) 28days
i) Fineness
The fineness of cement was tested using Blaine’s air permeability test
method. This test gives an idea about the fineness of the cement and the specific
surface of the cement grains. The test sample of cement was first enclosed in a
125g jar and shaken vigorously for two minutes to fluff the cement and brake
up lumps or agglomerations. The weight of the sample was calculated using the
expression given in IS: 4031: part 2: 1999. The perforated disc was placed on
the ledge in the permeability cell, above which, a filter paper disc was also
placed. The cement sample was placed in the cell and the surface was levelled.
A filter paper disc was placed above the cement sample and then it was
40
Materials and Methods
compressed with a plunger until the plunger collar was in contact with the top
of the cell.
After removing the plunger, the permeability cell was attached to the
manometer tube making sure that an air tight connection was obtained, without
disturbing the prepared bed of cement. The air in one of the manometer U- tube
was slowly evacuated until the liquid reached the top mark and the valve was
closed. As the bottom of the meniscus of the manometer liquid reached the
second mark, the timer was started and stopped as the meniscus reached the
third mark. The time interval was noted in seconds. The specific surface was
then calculated using the expression given in IS: 4031: part 2: 1999. As per IS:
269: 1989 the minimum value of specific surface is 2250 cm2/g.
100
80
Percentage finer
60
BENTONITE
MARINE CLAY
40 LIME
CEMENT
20
0
1E-3 0.01 0.1 1 10
Particle size (mm)
41
Chapter-3
This test is used for finding out the amount of water required to make a
paste of standard consistency. The standard consistency of a cement paste is
defined as the consistency which will permit the specific Vicat plunger to
penetrate to a point 5 to 7 mm from the bottom of the Vicat mould. 400g of
cement was weighed and a paste was made by adding 26% of water, observing
that the gauging time is below 5 minutes. The paste was filled in the Vicat
mould and the plunger was released. The penetration of the plunger was less
than the specified value in IS: 4031: part 4: 1988. The test was repeated by
making fresh cement paste with 27 and 28 percentages of water. It was found
that when 28 % water was added the penetration of the plunger was within the
specified limits.
42
Materials and Methods
This time is used to describe the stiffening of cement paste. The needle
for initial setting time was replaced by the annular attachment. The cement
paste prepared to determine the initial setting time was placed beneath the
attachment in the Vicat apparatus. The attachment was brought down to the
surface of the cement paste. Initially, both the central needle and the
surrounding attachment made impression on the surface of the paste. Later at
287 minutes, the needle alone made the impression and this was reported as the
final setting time.
v) Compressive strength
43
Chapter-3
vi) Soundness
This property is essential that a cement paste, once it has set, does not
undergo a large volume change. This test was conducted using a Le - Chatelier
apparatus. The cement paste was prepared with 0.78 times the water required to
give a paste of standard consistency. The mould was filled with this paste and
the assembly was immersed in water for 24 hours. The distance between the
indicator points was measured. Submerging the assembly in water, the water
was brought to boiling in 25 to 30 minutes and then the distance between these
indicator points was measured. The difference between these two measurements
represented the expansion of the cement.
3.2.2.2 Admixtures
Little John (1982) has given a list of admixtures that can be used in
cement grouting to improve the various properties of cement based grouts
(Table 3.2). Various other authors have recommended a number of additives
that can be used in cement as well as bentonite grouting. Admixtures are used
in cement grouts to serve as accelerator, retarder, and lubricant or to increase
the strength of the grout
44
Materials and Methods
Among the accelerators, calcium chloride and sodium silicate were used
in the present investigation. To study the effect of retarders, triethanolamine and
tartaric acid were chosen. The fluidiser used was detergent, which is
commercially available soap powder (sun light detergent powder was used
here). Aluminium powder was used as the expander. Aluminium sulphate and
bentonite were used as antibleeders.
3.2.3 Bentonite
45
Chapter-3
i) Atterberg limits
The liquid limit and plastic limit were determined as per IS 2720: part 5:
1985. The liquid limit test was conducted using Casagrande apparatus, starting
from a water content which required only around 10 blows for the groove to
close. The paste was then allowed to spread over a glass plate to allow
evaporation. This was then mixed thoroughly for the next test. The liquid limit
was reported as the water content which took 25 blows to close the groove.
46
Materials and Methods
Plastic limit was found out as the water content required just to make hair line
cracks for the clay thread of specific diameter of 3 mm.
area on the Western coast of India. Bulk samples of the clay were collected
from bore holes advanced by shell and auger method.
The boring operations were taken to the clay layers for collection of
samples. The boring operations were carried out as per IS: 1892: 1979, Code of
practice for subsurface investigations for foundations. Care was taken not to
include bentonite slurry during the boring operations as it could contaminate the
soil samples. Samples collected from different locations were put together and
mixed thoroughly into a uniform mass and preserved in polythene bags. The
grain size distribution curve of the marine clay is shown in figure 3.2
3.2.5 Lime
Specially selected uniform shells were used for preparation of lime for
the study. The shells were burnt to remove CO2 completely when they change
47
Chapter-3
multilayer polythene bags. The required amount of water alone was sprinkled
over the lone shells taken from these bags on each day of lime treated samples,
till all the shells crumble to fine powder which was then sieved through IS 425
micron sieve. This method of preparation of lime was used because of its
simplicity and the ease with which it can be prepared for field application.
To place the grout within the pores of the granular medium, two
procedures were adopted. In the first method, the grout material was deposited
within the pores by hand mixing. In the second method, previously prepared
sand beds were grouted with different grouting materials by using a grout pump
to simulate the grouting operations in the field. The preparations of both these
types are described in detail below.
A unit weight of 14.5 kN/m3 for sand was chosen for the preparation of
samples, so that the relative density is 51%. This was selected by considering
the fact that it can be achieved relatively easily with very good reproducibility
and by considering the difficulty experienced in preparing the samples at units
weights corresponding to the loosest state. The required amount of sand of
48
Materials and Methods
specific size range was taken in a tray. The predetermined quantity of cement
(2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 15, 20 & 25% by weight of sand) was then added to the sand and
thoroughly mixed with a trowel. Water was (5, 10, 15, 20 or 25% by weight of
sand and cement) sprinkled over the cement sand mixture and thoroughly
mixed with a trowel. This was filled in split moulds of size 60 mm x 60 mm x
25 mm in two layers to obtain specimens for direct shear tests and also filled in
cube moulds of size 70.6 mm x 70.6 mm x 70.6 mm, to obtain specimens for
compressive strength tests. These specimens were kept at room temperature for
24 hrs, then taken out from the moulds and kept for curing for periods of 7 and
28 days. Specimens prepared for direct shear tests like this are shown in Fig 3.3
49
Chapter-3
50
Materials and Methods
order to get uniform flow of grout over the entire thickness of the sand bed. The
grouted sample was kept for curing under moist condition.
51
Chapter-3
52
Materials and Methods
Fig. 3.4 (a) Collection of test specimens from grouted samples in progress
Fig. 3.4 (b) Collection of test specimens from grouted samples in progress
53
Chapter-3
The efficiency of grouting and lateral flow of grouts were also analyzed
by determining the cement content at various places of the grouted mass. For
this purpose, samples were collected at different distances radially from the
centre of the grout hole at different depths. The process of collecting the
samples by cutting the grouted mass with the help of a diamond cutter is shown
in Figs 3.4 (a) and 3.4 (b). Samples at the same radial distance (at a particular
depth) were mixed together and were used for the purpose of cement content
determination. The procedure adopted for the determination of cement content
is given below.
The method involves the determination of the CaO contents in the soil
(sand), cement and in the grouted mass, separately. The procedure for
conducting the chemical analysis is explained below.
54
Materials and Methods
HCl (1 + 1) is added to each sample, then covered, and boiled gently for 5 min
on the hot plate. Add 25 ml of hot water to this, stir well and allow to settle
momentarily, and then decant the contents through a Whatman No. 1 filter
paper. The filtrate should be received in a 250-ml volumetric flask. When the
liquid has passed through the filter paper, wash the residue once by decantation,
using hot water, then transfer it to the filter, using a stream of hot water. The
beaker should be rapidly policed, the loosened material being transferred to the
filter paper. The material on the filter should then be washed four times more,
each washing consisting of 10 to 15 ml of hot water directed in a stream from
the wash bottle. Very small amounts of residue would occasionally pass
through the filter, which may be disregarded.
When washing is completed, discard the filter, and dilute the filtrate in
the volumetric flask to 250 ml with cold water. Agitate the flask to mix the
contents thoroughly, then remove a 50-ml aliquot and transfer it to the original
250ml beaker, using a 50ml pipette and dilute it to 100 ml. Make the solution
slightly ammoniacal, boil it for 1 to 2 min, and allow the hydroxides to settle.
Filter the hydroxides through an 11-cm Whatman No. 1 filter paper, receiving
the filtrate in the 600-ml beaker. Wash the original 250-ml beaker into the filter
once with a stream of hot NH4NO3 solution (20 g/l), and follow by washing the
hydroxide precipitate once or twice with hot NH4NO3 solution. Set this aside,
and place the original beaker under the funnel. Perforate the paper with a rod,
and wash the hydroxides down into the original beaker, using a stream of hot
NH4NO3 solution (20 g/l) to remove most of the precipitate from the filter
paper. Treat the paper with 20 ml of hot HCl (1 + 3), directing the acid over the
paper with a glass rod. Wash the paper several times with hot water, and then
discard the paper and dilute the solution to 75 ml. Fig. 3. 5 shows the test set up
for cement content determination.
55
Chapter-3
Make the solution slightly ammoniacal and boil it for 1 to 2 min, allow
the precipitate to settle, then decant through a Whatman No. 1 paper as before,
receiving the filtrate in the 600-ml beaker previously set aside. Wash and police
the beaker in which precipitation take place, finally washing the precipitate on
the filter three or four times with NH4NO3Solution (20 g/l). Discard the
hydroxide precipitate. Add 2 ml of NH4OH (sp gr 0.90) to the filtrate, which
will now have a volume of 250 to 350 ml. Heat the solution to boiling and add
10 ml of hot saturated ammonium oxalate solution. Keep the mixture near
boiling until the precipitate becomes granular; then set it aside on a warm hot
plate for 30 min or more. Before filtering off the calcium oxalate, verify
completeness of precipitation, and make sure that a slight excess of NH4OH is
present. Filter the mixture through an 11-cm or 15-cm Whatman No. 2 filter
paper, or if preferred a Whatman No. 42 paper, making sure that all the
56
Materials and Methods
Carefully open the filter paper and wash the precipitate into the beaker in
which the precipitation was effected. Dilute it to 200 ml and add 10 ml of H2SO4 (1
+ 1). Heat the solution just short of boiling, and titrate with the standard KMnO4
solution to get a persistent pink colour. Add the filter paper and macerate it.
Continue the titration slowly until the pink color persists for 10 s.
Make a blank determination, following the same procedure and using the
same amount of all the reagents.
Calculation
The percentages of CaO in the soil, in the cement, and in the grouted
samples can be calculated as:
Where:
57
Chapter-3
The efficiency of the grouting process was also verified through load
tests conducted on ungrouted/grouted sand beds. The initial tests for the
assessment of improvement in load carrying capacity through densification,
were conducted by filling the sand at the desired densities in small tanks of size
30cmx30cmx30cm. For estimating the load carrying capacity of grouted beds,
the grouting operations were done in large tanks of size 1mx1mx0.6m.
Uniform sand beds in the loosest state (unit weight 13.1 kN/m3 ) were prepared
after keeping the detachable side walls of the tank in position. Grouting was
done as per the procedure given in section 3.3.2. The disturbed portion at the
top for a depth of 10cm was removed, and after curing for a period of
28days,load test was conducted in this grouted bed. The load was applied
through a 20cm square plate with the help of a hydraulic jack. Dial gauges
mounted on the opposite corners of the plate gave the settlement corresponding
to the load (read from the pressure gauge).
3.4.6 Permeability
58
Materials and Methods
plastic clay is least permeable. The flow of water through soils may be laminar
or turbulent. In most of the practical flow problems in geotechnical engineering,
the flow is laminar. The flow of water through soil obeys Darcy’s law which
states that the rate of flow is proportional to the hydraulic gradient. The
coefficient of permeability can be determined in the laboratory by constant head
test or falling head test. In the present study, constant head tests were
conducted for the determination of the permeability. Rigid wall permeameters
(standard concrete permeability test apparatus) of size 150 mm x150 mm x150
mm were used. The sand was filled in the mould keeping the dry unit weight of
sand as 14.5 kN/m3. Water was permitted through the sand medium under a
constant head of 2m (20 kPa). The discharge was measured once a steady state
condition is reached. The test setup is shown in figure 3.6
59
Chapter-3
60
Chapter 4
STRENGTH STUDIES ON UNGROUTED
& GROUTED SAND
4.1 Introduction
4.2 Strength improvement on densification
4.3 Strength improvement on grouting
Contents
4.1 Introduction
Construction of structures on weak ground often requires the soil to be
improved in order to ensure the safety and the stability of foundations. Ground
improvement in granular soils can be achieved by different methods such as
vibro-flotation, compaction piles, compaction with explosives, excavation and
replacement, reinforced earth, grouting etc. Soil compaction requires intricate
geotechnical competence and careful planning on the part of the design
engineer. The selection of the most suitable method depends on a variety of
factors, such as: soil conditions, required degree of compaction, type of
61
Chapter-4
62
Strength Studies on Ungrouted & Grouted Sand
Fig. 4.1 shows the load- settlement curves of medium sand compacted at
different densities. At lower unit weights as one would expect, the peak is not
well defined. It can be seen from the figure that the ultimate stress at the loosest
state is only 22.7 kN/m2. At higher unit weights the failure is easily identifiable
by distinct peaks. Maximum compaction yielded a unit weight of 16.2 kN/m3
and the corresponding ultimate stress is 367 kN/m2 which is more than 16 times
the value for the sand at the loosest state. In the loosest state (corresponding to a
dry unit weight of 13.1 kN/m3 and void ratio of 0.98), the angle of shearing
resistance (Ø) is only 270 (Table 4.1) and at the densest state (corresponding to
63
Chapter-4
a dry unit weight of 16.2 kN/m3 and void ratio of 0.61), the Ø value increases to
390. At natural state (corresponding to a dry unit weight of 14.5 kN/m3 and
relative density of 51%), the angle of shearing resistance obtained is 340, the
ultimate stress being 93 kN/m2, which is 4 times more than that at loosest state.
As expected, the ultimate stress steadily increases with increase in density; this
rate of increase being phenomenal beyond a unit weight of 14.5kN/m3.
10
Settlement (mm)
64
Strength Studies on Ungrouted & Grouted Sand
2
Load intensity (kN/m )
0 40 80 120 160 200 240 280 320
0
5
Settlement (mm)
10
25
Fig. 4.3 shows the load- settlement curves of fine sand compacted at
different unit weights. The plot shows that upto around a unit weight of 14.0
kN/m3 the failure peak is not well defined. The ultimate stress corresponding to
unit weight of 12.3, 13.0 and 14.0 kN/m3 are 11.0, 44.0 and 125 kN/m2
respectively. At higher compaction (unit weights being 15.0 and 16.2 kN/m3),
the failure is easily identifiable by distinct peaks, the ultimate stress being 658
and 694 kN/m2 respectively.
Fig. 4.4 shows the load – settlement curves of fine, medium and coarse
sand compacted in layers in the mould so that the unit weight is kept constant
i.e., 14.0 kN/m3. At this unit weight the ultimate stress of coarse sand is only
16.9 kN/m2, whereas for medium sand it is 38.3 kN/m2 and for fine sand it is as
high as 125 kN/m2. Eventhough the void ratio of the sand medium is same in all
65
Chapter-4
the three cases, fine sand gave very high value ( 7 times) compared to the
coarse sand.
Fig. 4.5 shows a similar trend of the load – settlement curves of fine,
medium and coarse sand at a unit weight of 15.0 kN/m2. The peak load for coarse,
medium and fine sand are 78, 185 and 658 kN/m2 respectively. But at still higher
unit weights (unit weight of 16.2 kN/m3), the peak load in case of coarse, medium
and fine sand are 301, 367 and 694 kN/m2 respectively (Fig. 4.6).
From the above, it can be concluded that the load carrying capacity of
the sand medium depends not only on the density, but also on the gradation.
Further, the load carrying capacity of finer fractions is always higher compared
to the coarser fraction irrespective of the density. This can be attributed to the
increased contact area between the particles, in case of finer fractions.
2
Load intensity(kN/m )
0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700
0
5
Settlement (mm)
10
25
66
Strength Studies on Ungrouted & Grouted Sand
2
Load intensity (kN/m )
0 50 100 150 200
0
3
Unit weight: 14.0 kN/m
5 Soil
Fine sand
Medium sand
Settlement (mm)
10 Coarse sand
15
20
25
Fig.4.4 Load – settlement curves of sand at different gradations
2
Load intensity (kN/m )
0 0 100 200 300 400 500 600
3
Unit weight: 15.0 kN/m
Soil
4 Fine sand
Medium sand
Settlement (mm)
Coarse sand
12
16
Fig.4.5 Load – settlement curves of sand at different gradations
67
Chapter-4
2
Loading intensity (kN/m )
0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700
0
6
Settlement (mm)
8
3
10 Unit weight: 16.2 kN/m
12 Soil
Fine sand
Medium sand
14 Coarse sand
16
Fig.4.6 Load – settlement curves of sand at different gradations
Direct shear tests were conducted on fine, medium and coarse sand
specimens in a shear box apparatus of 60 x 60 x 25 mm to determine the shear
strength parameters at different unit weights. The unit weights at the loosest
state were 12.3 kN/m3 (fine sand), 13.1 kN/m3 (medium sand), 14.0 kN/m3
(coarse sand) and the corresponding Ø values were 230,270 and 340 respectively
(Table 4.1). Similarly the Ø values obtained for fine sand, medium sand and
coarse sand were 27, 34 and 370 respectively, at a unit weight of 14.5 kN/m3.
But in the densest state (unit weight 16.2 kN/m3), all the fractions give the same
value of angle of shearing resistance (390).
68
Strength Studies on Ungrouted & Grouted Sand
Ø (degree)
Ø(degree)
Ø (degree)
Fine
69
Chapter-4
70
Strength Studies on Ungrouted & Grouted Sand
The variation in the shear strength ࣎ with cement content (varying from
2 to 25 % by weight of dry sand) at an initial water content of 10 % is shown in
figure 4.7. As expected, the value of shear strength steadily increases with
increase in cement content. In the case of 2 % cement content, the increase in
shear strength is only 3 % (after 7days of curing) and 24 % (after 28days of
curing) when compared with the shear strength of sand without addition of any
cement. The percentage increase in shear strength at 4, 6 10 & 25 % of cement
contents after the 7 days of curing is 28, 109, 263% and 897% respectively,
whereas the percentage increase is 70 %, 150 %, 322 % & 1300 % in case of
specimens cured for a period of 28 days. The results are as expected –i.e. τ
Value increases with increase in the curing period.
1000
Curing period
600 7 days
28 days
400
200
00 5 10 15 20 25
Cement content (%)
71
Chapter-4
Fig. 4.8 shows the variation in shear strength with cement content for
specimens prepared at an initial water content of 20 % for a normal stress of
100 kN/m2. It can be seen that the shear strength keeps on increasing with
increase in cement content and curing periods. The percentage of increase in
shear strength is from 3 to 528 % for a corresponding increase in cement
content of 2 to 25 % after 7days curing. For the specimens cured for 28 days,
the increase in shear strength is from 14 to 1046 % for the corresponding
cement content of 2 to 25 %.
1000
Curing period
600 7 days
28 days
400
200
00 5 10 15 20 25
Cement content (%)
72
Strength Studies on Ungrouted & Grouted Sand
Fig 4.10 shows the variation of shear strength with initial water content
strength decreases with increase in initial water content. It is noted that the
shear strength increases upto around 5 % of initial water content and thereafter
water content. Fig 4.11 shows the effect of water content of the grout on shear
strength for a cement content of 10 %. Here also the increase in strength is upto
around 5 % of the initial water content and beyond that a marginal decrease in
strength with increase in initial water content is seen. It is also noted that as
initial water content, the shear strength value after 28 days of curing is much
closer to 7 days curing strength.
1000
400
200
00 5 10 15 20 25
Cement content (%)
73
Chapter-4
200
Soil: Medium sand
3
unit weight: 14.5 kN/m
Cement content: 4 %
2
Normal stress: 100 kN/m
150
Curing Period
Shear strength (kN/m )
2
7 days
28 days
100
50
0
0 5 10 15 20 25
Initial water content (%)
Fig. 4.10 Variation of shear strength with initial water content
400
Soil: Medium sand
3
Unit weight of sand: 14.5 kN/ m
Cement content: 10 %
2
Normal stress: 100 kN/m
300
Curing Period
Shear strength (kN/m )
7 days
2
28 days
200
100
0
0 5 10 15 20 25
Initial water content (%)
74
Strength Studies on Ungrouted & Grouted Sand
The variation in shear strength with initial water content for 4 and 10 %
of cement contents after 28 days of curing is shown in fig. 4.12. In both cases,
the maximum value of shear strength is at around 5 % of initial water content.
Eventhough the shear strength decreases with increase in initial water content,
the decrease is more significant at higher percentage of cement content. It may
be noted that the effect of initial water content is more if the cement content is
more.
Fig. 4.13 shows the variation of shear strength for coarse sand with
cement content for specimens prepared at an initial water content of 10 % and
cured for 7 and 28 days. As the cement content increases from 4 to 20 %, the
rate of increase in shear strength is marginal initially (upto around 8%) but
thereafter the rate of increase is phenomenal. The curves also show the
pronounced effect of curing period at higher cement contents.
400
Soil: Medium sand
3
Unit weight of sand: 14.5 kN/m
2
Normal stress: 100 kN/m
Curing period: 28 days
300 Cement content
4%
Shear strength (kN/m )
2
10 %
200
100
0
0 5 10 15 20 25
Initial water content (%)
75
Chapter-4
1000
200
0
0 5 10 15 20
Cement content ( % )
Fig. 4.13 Variation of shear strength with cement content (Coarse sand)
Fig. 4.14 shows the variation in shear strength with cement content for
specimens prepared using fine sand at an initial water content of 10% and cured
for 7 and 28 days. As in the case of medium and coarse sand, the shear strength
of fine sand is also seen increasing with the percentage of cement content. As
the percentage of cement content increases from 2 to 25%, the corresponding
increase of shear strength is from 0.4 to 10.3 times that of fine sand without
cement content. Here also the rate of increase in shear strength is very high at
higher percentages of cement content. A marginal increase of shear strength
due to the effect of curing is shown in the figure.
76
Strength Studies on Ungrouted & Grouted Sand
seen with increase of initial water content. It is thus seen that there is an
optimum initial water content at which the shear strength is maximum. Fig.
4.16 shows the effect of cement content on shear strength of grouted medium
for different gradation of sand such as fine, medium and coarse sand fractions.
Eventhough the value of shear strength increases with cement content, the
influence of grain size on τ is significant. At lower cement contents, its
influence is marginal. Eventhough medium sand specimens give higher τ than
coarse sand specimens at lower cement contents; the coarse sand specimens
register higher strength as the cement content increases.
250
00 5 10 15 20 25
Cement content ( % )
Fig. 4.14 Variation of shear strength with cement content (Fine sand)
77
Chapter-4
200
2
Curing period:
7 days
28 days
100
0 5 10 15 20 25
Initial water content ( % )
Fig. 4.15 Variation of shear strength with initial water content (Fine sand)
1000
2
Normal stress: 100 kN/m
Initial water content: 10 %
800 Curing period: 28 days
3
Unit weight of sand: 14.5 kN/ m
Shear strength (kN/m )
2
Soil:
600
Fine sand
Medium sand
Coarse sand
400
200
0
0 5 10 15 20 25
Cement content (%)
Fig. 4.16 Variation of shear strength with cement content for different gradation
78
Strength Studies on Ungrouted & Grouted Sand
1200
800 2
Normal stress (kN/m )
50
600 100
150
200
400
200
00 5 10 15 20 25
Cement content (%)
Fig.4.17 Variation of shear strength with cement content at different normal stresses
1200
Soil: Medium sand
Initial water content: 20 %
1000 Curing period: 28 days
3
Unit weight of sand: 14.5 kN/ m
2
Normal stress (kN/m )
Shear strength (kN/m )
2
800 50
100
150
600 200
400
200
0
0 5 10 15 20 25
Cement content (%)
Fig.4.18 Variation of shear strength with cement content at different normal stresses
79
Chapter-4
1250
Soil: Coarse sand
3
Unit weight of sand: 14.5 kN/ m
1000 Initial water content: 10 %
Curing period: 28 days
Shear strength (kN/m )
2
2
750 Normal stress (kN/m )
50
100
150
500 200
250
0
0 5 10 15 20
Cement Content: ( % )
Fig.4.19 Variation of shear strength with cement content at different normal stresses
1000
Soil: Fine sand
3
Unit weight of sand: 14.5 kN/ m
800 Initial water content: 10 %
Curing period: 28 days
Shear strength (kN/m )
2
2
Normal stress (kN/m )
600 50
100
150
200
400
200
0
0 5 10 15 20 25
Cement content (%)
Fig.4.20 Variation of shear strength with cement content at different normal stresses
80
Strength Studies on Ungrouted & Grouted Sand
Figures 4.23, 4.24 & 4.25 show typical plots showing the relation
between shear stress and shear strain. It can be noticed from the figures, that the
stress–strain response exhibit a linear relationship prior to the peak, for all
cement contents. As expected, the value of shear strength steadily increases
with increase in cement content. Figure 4.25 shows the influence of the initial
water content of the specimens on stress–strain response.
150
100
50
0 5 10 15 20 25
Initial water content (%)
Fig.4.21 Variation of shear strength with initial water content at different normal
stresses
81
Chapter-4
500
400
Shear strength (kN/m )
2
300
200
Soil: Medium Sand
Cement content: 10 %
Curing period: 28 days
100 2
Normal stress (kN/m )
50 150
100 200
0
0 5 10 15 20 25
Initial water content (%)
Fig.4.22 Variation of shear strength with initial water content at different normal
stresses
2 %
500 4 %
6%
8%
400 10 %
15 %
20 %
300
200
100
00 2 4 6 8 10 12 14
Shear Strain (%)
82
Strength Studies on Ungrouted & Grouted Sand
800
Cement content
2
0 %
500 2 %
4 %
6%
400 8%
10 %
15 %
300
20 %
200
100
00 2 4 6 8 10 12
Shear Strain (%)
400
Soil: Medium sand
3
Unit weight: 14.5 kN/ m
2
Normal stress: 100 kN/m
Curing period: 28 days
Cement content: 10 %
300 Initial water content
Shear Stress (kN/m )
0%
2
5 %
10 %
20 %
200
100
00 2 4 6 8 10 12 14
Shear Strain (%)
83
Chapter-4
Certain admixtures are used along with cement for improving the
properties of grouts such as viscosity and stability (Lovely 1998). But no study
has been reported on how these admixtures will affect the strength of the
cement grouts. Various admixtures such as calcium chloride and sodium silicate
(accelerators), triethanolamine and tartaric acid (retarders), aluminium powder
(expander), detergent (fluidizer), and aluminium sulphate and bentonite
(antibleeders) are used in the present study.
Fig. 4.28 shows the effect of sodium silicate/ calcium chloride content
on shear strength of cement grouted medium sand after a curing period of 28
days. It can be seen that among the accelerators, the performance of calcium
chloride is better than sodium silicate with regard to shear strength.
84
Strength Studies on Ungrouted & Grouted Sand
7 days
28 days
250
200
0.0 0.4 0.8 1.2 1.6 2.0
% of Calcium chloride
Fig. 4.26 Effect of Calcium chloride content on Shear strength of cement grouted
Medium Sand
300
250
Shear strength (kN/m )
2
150
0 1 2 3
% of Sodium Scilicate
Fig. 4.27 Effect of Sodium silicate content on Shear strength of cement grouted
Medium Sand
85
Chapter-4
350
Soil: Medium sand
3
Unit weight: 14.5 kN/ m
Initial water content: 10 %
Cement content : 10 %
2
Normal stress: 100 kN/m
300 Curing period:28 days
Shear strength (kN/m )
2
Sodium Silicate
Calcium Chloride
250
200
0 1 2 3
% of Calcium chloride / Sodium silicate
Fig. 4.28 Effect of Sodium silicate / Calcium chloride content on Shear strength of cement
grouted Medium Sand
Fig. 4.29 shows the effect of percentage of tartaric acid on the shear
strength of sand grouted with cement. At smaller percentage (upto around
0.15%), the value of shear strength is found to decrease, but thereafter it
increases and almost reaches the initial value. The variation of shear strength
with the addition of triethanolamine which is also a retarder along with cement
is shown in figure 4.30. Eventhough the shear strength increases at lower
percentage of salt content, a marginal reduction is noticed as the percentage of
salt increases.
86
Strength Studies on Ungrouted & Grouted Sand
250
Shear strength (kN/m )
2
100
0.0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6
% of Tartaric Acid
Fig. 4.29 Effect of Tartaric acid content on Shear strength of cement grouted Medium
Sand
87
Chapter-4
350
300
250
Shear strength (kN/m )
2
200
Curing period
50 7 days
28 days
0 2 4 6 8 10
% of Triethanolamine
Fig. 4.30 Effect of Triethanolamine content on Shear strength of cement grouted
Medium Sand
350
300
Shear strength (kN/m )
2
150
0 2 4 6 8 10
% of Retarder
Fig. 4.31 Effect of retarder on Shear strength of cement grouted Medium Sand
88
Strength Studies on Ungrouted & Grouted Sand
300
Shear strength (kN/m )
2
250
Fig. 4.32 Effect of detergent content on Shear strength of cement grouted Medium Sand
350
Shear strength (kN/m )
2
300
Curing period
7 days
28 days
200
0.000 0.005 0.010 0.015 0.020
% of Aluminium powder
Fig. 4.33 Effect of Aluminium powder content on Shear strength of cement grouted Medium
Sand
89
Chapter-4
90
Strength Studies on Ungrouted & Grouted Sand
350
Soil: Medium sand
3
Unit weight: 14.5 kN/ m
Initial water content: 10 %
Cement content : 10 %
2
Normal stress: 100 kN/m
300
Shear strength (kN/m )
2
Curing period:
7 days
28 days
250
200
0 2 4 6 8 10
% of Aluminium Sulphate
Fig. 4.34 Effect of Aluminium sulphate content on Shear strength of cement grouted
Medium Sand
300
Soil: Medium sand
3
Unit weight of sand: 14.5 kN/ m
Initial water content: 10 %
275 Cement content : 10 %
2
Normal stress: 100 kN/m
Shear strength (kN/m )
2
Curing period
7 days
250 28 days
225
200
0 2 4 6 8 10
% of Bentonite
Fig. 4.35 Effect of Bentonite content on Shear strength of cement grouted Medium Sand
91
Chapter-4
250
3
Soil: Medium sand Unit weight of sand: 14.5 kN/ m
Initial water content: 20 % Cement content : 10 %
2
Normal stress: 100 kN/m
Curing period
200 7 days
28 days
Shear strength (kN/m )
2
150
100
50
0 2 4 6 8 10
% of Bentonite
Fig. 4.36 Effect of Bentonite content on Shear strength of cement grouted Medium Sand
350
Soil: Medium sand
3
Unit weight of sand: 14.5 kN/ m
Initial water content: 10 %
Curing period: 28 days
Cement content : 10 %
Shear strength (kN/m )
2
2
Normal stress: 100 kN/m
300
Aluminium Sulphate
Bentonite
250
0 2 4 6 8 10
% of Antibleeder
Fig. 4.37 Effect of Antibleeder on Shear strength of cement grouted Medium Sand
92
Strength Studies on Ungrouted & Grouted Sand
4.3.3 Lime
Little and Yusuf (2001) found that the unconfined compressive strength
of soil specimens stabilised with lime increases with lime content.
The variation in shear strength with lime content (varying from 6 to 25%
by weight of dry sand) in lime grouted medium sand having an initial water
content of 10% is shown in figure 4.38. As expected, the shear strength
increases with increase in lime content. The figure also shows the influence of
curing periods of the specimen on the shear strength value. Fig. 4.39 shows the
variation in shear strength with lime content in lime grouted medium sand at
initial water content of 20%. Here also a similar trend is seen. Fig. 4.40 shows
the effect of lime on shear strength of lime grouted sand having curing periods
of 28 days. The figure also shows the influence of the initial water content (in
other words the lime /water ratio of the grout) of the specimen on the shear
strength value. Fig. 4.41 shows the effect of bentonite content with shear
strength of sand grouted with 10% lime having an initial water content of 10%.
Shear strength initially decreases and then increases to initial value at 10%
bentonite content. Bentonite does not show any significant effect of increase in
shear strength especially when the curing period is 28 days.
Fig. 4.42 shows variation of shear strength with cement/ lime content
having initial water content of 10%, after a curing period of 28 days. It can be
seen that the shear strength significantly increases with increase in percentage
of cement content where as lime content does not have much effect on the shear
strength values. Fig. 4.43 also shows variation of shear strength with cement/
lime content having an initial water content of 20%, after a curing period of 28
days. This also shows tremendous effect of cement content, compared to lime in
improving the shear strength of loose sandy soils.
93
Chapter-4
130
Curing period
7 days
100
28 days
90
80
70
60
0 4 8 12 16 20 24
Lime content (%)
Fig. 4.38 Variation of shear strength with lime content
130
Curing period
7 days
100
28 days
90
80
70
60
0 4 8 12 16 20 24
Lime content (%)
Fig. 4.39 Variation of shear strength with lime content
94
Strength Studies on Ungrouted & Grouted Sand
130
90
80
70
60
0 4 8 12 16 20 24
Lime content (%)
100
Curing period
7 days
80 28 days
70
60
0 2 4 6 8 10
Bentonite content (%)
Fig. 4.41 Variation of shear strength with bentonite content on lime grouted sand
95
Chapter-4
1000
600 Cement
Lime
400
200
00 5 10 15 20 25
Cement/ Lime content (%)
1000
600 Cement
Lime
400
200
00 5 10 15 20 25
Cement / Lime content (%)
96
Strength Studies on Ungrouted & Grouted Sand
97
Chapter-4
Figs.4.47, 4.48 & 4.49 show the influence of the initial water content
(i.w.c) and curing periods on the cohesion intercept of grouted medium. The
results show that c initially increases upto an i.w.c of 5% and then decreases
with increase in i.w.c, both for 4% and 10% cement content. The results are as
one would expect- the cohesion intercepts decrease with the increase in i.w.c,
but the value increases with increase in the curing period. It is to be noted that
there is an optimum initial water content at which cohesion intercept is
maximum and this happens to be around 7%.
Figs. 4.50 and 4.51 shows the variation of cohesion intercept with
cement content in case of coarse sand and fine sand having an i.w.c of 10%. It
can be seen from the figures that in both the cases, the c value increases with
increase in cement content and also with increase in curing periods.
98
Strength Studies on Ungrouted & Grouted Sand
700
Soil: Medium Sand
3
Unit weight of sand: 14.5 kN/ m
600 Initial water content: 10 %
Cohesion intercept (kN/m )
2
300
200
100
0
0 5 10 15 20 25
Cement content (%)
600
200
100
0
0 5 10 15 20 25
Cement content (%)
99
Chapter-4
700
Soil: Medium Sand
3
600 Unit weight of sand: 14.5 kN/ m
Curing period: 28 days
Cohesion intercept (kN/m )
2
300
200
100
0
0 5 10 15 20 25
Cement content (%)
50
45
Soil: Medium Sand
40 Unit weight of sand: 14.5 kN/ m
3
Cement content: 4 %
Cohesion intercept (kN/m )
35
2
Curing period
30
7 days
28 days
25
20
15
10
0
0 5 10 15 20 25
Initial water content (%)
100
Strength Studies on Ungrouted & Grouted Sand
200
180
160
Cohesion intercept (kN/m )
2
140
120
100
40 Curing period
7 days
20 28 days
0
0 5 10 15 20 25
Initial water content (%)
200
Soil: Medium sand
3
Unit weight of sand: 14.5 kN/ m
Curing period: 28 days
160
Cement content
Cohesion intercept (kN/m )
2
4%
10 %
120
80
40
0
0 5 10 15 20 25
Initial water content (%)
101
Chapter-4
800
Curing period:
7 days
400 28 days
200
0
0 5 10 15 20 25
Cement Content: ( % )
Fig. 4.50 Variation of cohesion intercept with cement content (coarse sand)
500
200
100
0
0 5 10 15 20 25
Cement Content ( % )
Fig. 4.51 Variation of cohesion intercept with cement content (fine sand)
102
Strength Studies on Ungrouted & Grouted Sand
Fig. 4.52 shows the variation of cohesion intercept with initial water
content for fine sand having a cement content of 10%. It is clear from the figure
that the c value increases upto an i.w.c. of around 15% and then decreases with
further increase in water content.
The variation of the shear strength parameter c with cement content for
specimens made of medium, coarse and fine sand fractions are shown in figures
4.53. It can be seen that the value of c steadily increases with increase in cement
content. It can also be seen from the figure that there is not much variation in c
value upto cement content of 10%, the rate of increase of c value is substantial
with increase in particle size at higher cement contents.
130
Soil: Fine Sand
3
Unit weight : 14.5 kN/ m
120 Cement Content: 10 %
Cohesion intercept (kN/m )
Curing period:
2
110 7 days
28 days
100
90
80
70
0 5 10 15 20 25
Initial water content (%)
Fig. 4.52 Variation of cohesion intercept with initial water content (fine sand)
103
Chapter-4
700
3
2
Fine Sand
400 Medium Sand
Coarse Sand
300
200
100
0
0 5 10 15 20 25
Cement Content (%)
4.53 Variation of cohesion intercept with cement content and gradation of sand
Fig. 4.55 shows the variation of cohesion intercept with the percentage
of sodium silicate added to the cement grout. Addition of this salt causes slight
reduction in c value after 7days curing. Eventhough the value of cohesion
intercept decreases by a very small percentage (approx. 0.5%) after curing of 28
days, it then increases and attains the original value of cohesion intercept
without the addition of any admixture.
104
Strength Studies on Ungrouted & Grouted Sand
240
Soil: Medium sand
220 Unit weight of sand: 14.5 kN/ m
3
Cement content: 10 %
200 Initial water content: 10%
Cohesion intercept (kN/m )
Curing period
2
180
7 days
28 days
160
140
120
100
80
60
0.0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5
Calcium chloride content (%)
150
120
Soil: Medium sand
Cohesion intercept (kN/m )
2
3
Unit weight of sand: 14.5 kN/ m
Cement content: 10 %
Initial water content: 10%
90
Curing period
7 days
28 days
60
30
0.0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5 3.0
Sodium silicate content (%)
105
Chapter-4
Curing period
180
Sodium silicate
Calcium chloride
160
140
120
100
106
Strength Studies on Ungrouted & Grouted Sand
150
120
Cohesion intercept (kN/m )
2
90
Curing period
30 7 days
28 days
0
0.0 0.2 0.4 0.6
Tartaric acid content (%)
Fig. 4.59 shows the variation of cohesion intercept with the different
percentage of retarders when used along with cement grout. It can be seen that
there is no reduction in strength when the optimum dosage with respect to
viscosity reported in literature (tartaric acid- 0.05 % and triethanolamine 2 to 10
%) of the retarder is used.
200
160
Cohesion intercept (kN/m )
2
0 2 4 6 8 10
Triethanolamine content (%)
108
Strength Studies on Ungrouted & Grouted Sand
240
200
Cohesion intercept (kN/m )
2
160
0
0 2 4 6 8 10
Amount of retarder (%)
160
140
Cohesion intercept (kN/m )
2
120
Soil: Medium sand
3
Unit weight of sand: 14.5 kN/ m
Cement content:10 %
Initial water content: 10%
100
Curing period
7 days
28 days
80
0.000 0.025 0.050 0.075 0.100 0.125
Detergent content (%)
109
Chapter-4
200
160
Cohesion intercept (kN/m )
2
120
Soil: Medium sand
3
Unit weight of sand: 14.5 kN/ m
Cement content:10 %
Initial water content: 10%
80 Curing period
7 days
28 days
40
0.000 0.005 0.010 0.015 0.020 0.02
Aluminium powder content (%)
110
Strength Studies on Ungrouted & Grouted Sand
180
Curing period
7 days
28 days
140
120
100
0 2 4 6 8 10
Aluminium sulphate content (%)
Curing period
7 days
28 days
120
100
0 2 4 6 8 10
Bentonite content (%)
111
Chapter-4
Fig. 4.64 also shows the effect of bentonite on cohesion intercept of the
grouted medium for a cement content of 10% , the initial water content being
20%, cured after 28 days. The effect of bentonite is initially to increase in
cohesion (at 2%) around 32%, whereas when the percentage of bentonite
increases, decrease in cohesion is around 30%. Eventhough the variation is
similar as the above case for specimens cured for 7 days, there is not much
reduction in the cohesion intercept in case of specimens cured for 28 days.
Curing period
2
7 days
28 days
60
40
20
0
0 2 4 6 8 10
Bentonite content (%)
112
Strength Studies on Ungrouted & Grouted Sand
180
160
Cohesion intercept (kN/m )
2
Aluminium Sulphate
100 Bentonite
80
0 2 4 6 8 10
% of Antibleeder
4.4.1.3 Lime
113
Chapter-4
Curing period
2
7 days
28 days
30
20
10
0
0 4 8 12 16 20
Lime content (%)
40
Soil: Medium sand
3
Unit weight :14.5 kN/m
Initial water content: 20 %
Cohesion intercept (kN/m )
2
30
Curing period
28 days
7 days
20
10
0
0 4 8 12 16 20 24
Lime content (%)
114
Strength Studies on Ungrouted & Grouted Sand
50
Soil: Medium sand
3
Unit weight of sand :14.5 kN/m
Curing period: 28 days
40
Cohesion intercept (kN/m )
2
20
10
0
0 4 8 12 16 20 24
Lime content (%)
115
Chapter-4
30
Soil: Medium sand
3
Unit weight of sand :14.5 kN/m
Initial water content: 10 %
Cohesion intercept (kN/m )
2
20 Curing period
7 days
28 days
10
0
0 2 4 6 8 10
Bentonite content (%)
800
500 Cement
Lime
400
300
200
100
0
0 5 10 15 20 25 30
Cement / Lime content (%)
116
Strength Studies on Ungrouted & Grouted Sand
600
200
100
0
0 5 10 15 20 25
Cement / Lime content (%)
Fig. 4.71 Variation of cohesion intercepts with cement / lime content
Fig. 4.72 shows the variation in the shear strength parameter Ø with
cement content. Eventhough the Ø value increases with increase in cement
content, the rate decreases beyond a certain value of cement content (approx.
15%). The Ø at 4% of cement content is 40 degrees, and increases to 50 degrees
at 8% of cement and at 25% cement it becomes 68 degrees. Fig. 4.73 also
117
Chapter-4
shows the variation in the shear strength parameter Ø with cement content
having an initial water content of 20%. The Ø value increases with cement
content, but beyond 15% of cement content the rate of increase is marginal.
Figs. 4.75 & 4.76 show the effect of the initial water content and curing
periods on the Ø value of grouted medium. The shear strength parameter Ø
increases with curing periods and increases with i.w.c. Fig. 4.77 shows the
variation of Ø with initial water content. It can be seen that the variation of Ø
increases with increase in i.w.c and % of cement content.
70
65
Angle of shearing resistance (degrees)
60
55
40 Curing period
7 days
35 28 days
30
0 5 10 15 20 25 30
Cement content (%)
118
Strength Studies on Ungrouted & Grouted Sand
75
70
Angle of internal friction (degrees)
65
60
55
Soil :Medium sand
50 Unit weight of sand: 14.5 kN/m
3
30
0 5 10 15 20 25
Cement Content (%)
75
70
Angle of shearing resistance (degrees)
65
60
55
Soil: Medium sand
50 Unit weight of sand: 14.5kN/m
3
0 5 10 15 20 25
Cement content (%)
119
Chapter-4
48
Soil: Medium sand
46 3
Angle of shearing resistance (degrees)
38
36
34
32
30
0 5 10 15 20 25
Initial water content (%)
60
55
Angle of shearing resistance (degrees)
50
Curing period
35 7 days
28 days
30
25
20
0 5 10 15 20 25
Initial water content (%)
120
Strength Studies on Ungrouted & Grouted Sand
60
55
Angle of shearing resistance (degrees)
50
45
40
Soil: Medium sand
3
35 Unit weight of sand: 14.5 kN/m
Curing period: 28 days
30 Cement content
4%
25 10 %
20
0 5 10 15 20 25 30
Initial water content (%)
is presented in fig. 4.78. In the case of specimens cured for 7 days, the increase
in Ø-value is linear with increase in cement content. But in specimens cured for
content upto a certain cement content (approx. 15%), the rate of increase is
marginal thereafter.
fig. 4.79. Here also the Ø-value increases with increase in cement content and
curing periods.
Fig. 4.80 shows the effect of the initial water content and curing periods
on the Ø- value of cement grouted fine sand. The Ø- value increases upto an
121
Chapter-4
initial water content of 10-15% and further increase of water content decreases
the Ø- value. These curves are similar to the compaction curve for soils i.e.,
there is an optimum value of initial water content of the grout with regard to the
value of angle of shearing resistance.
Fig. 4.81 shows the variation of angle of shearing resistance with cement
70
Angle of shearing resistance (degrees)
65
60
55
35 0 5 10 15 20 25
Cement Content ( % )
Fig. 4.78 Variation of angle of shearing resistance with cement content (coarse sand)
122
Strength Studies on Ungrouted & Grouted Sand
70
3
Unit weight of sand: 14.5kN/m
60 Initial water content: 10 %
Curing period:
7 days
28 days
50
40
30
0 5 10 15 20 25
Cement Content ( % )
Fig. 4.79 Variation of angle of shearing resistance with cement content (fine sand)
55
Angle of shearing resistance (degrees)
50
45
Fig. 4.80 Variation of angle of shearing resistance with initial water content (fine sand)
123
Chapter-4
70
65
Angle of shearing resistance (degrees)
60
55
30
0 5 10 15 20 25
Cement Content (%)
124
Strength Studies on Ungrouted & Grouted Sand
56
Angle of shearing resistance (degrees)
54
52
Cement content: 10 %
Initial water content: 10 %
48 Curing period
7 days
28 days
55
Soil: Medium sand
54 Unit weight of sand: 14.5 kN/m
3
Angle of shearing resistance (degrees)
Cement content: 10 %
53 Initial water content: 10 %
Curing period
52 7 days
28 days
51
50
49
48
47
0.0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5 3.0
Sodium silicate content (% )
Fig.4.83 Variation of angle of shearing resistance with percentage of sodium silicate
125
Chapter-4
52 Sodium silicate
Calcium chloride
50
48
126
Strength Studies on Ungrouted & Grouted Sand
55
54
Angle of shearing resistance (degrees)
53
Soil: Medium sand
3
Unit weight of sand: 14.5 kN/m
52 Cement content: 10 %
Initial water content: 10 %
51 Curing period:
7 days
28 days
50
49
48
0.0 0.2 0.4 0.6
Tartaric acid content (% )
Fig.4.85 Variation of angle of shearing resistance with percentage of tartaric acid
55
(degrees)
50
Soil: Medium sand
Angle of shearing resistance
3
Unit weight of sand: 14.5 kN/m
Cement content: 10 %
Initial water content: 10 %
45 curing period
7 days
28 days
40
0 2 4 6 8 10
Triethanolamine content (%)
127
Chapter-4
Fig. 4.87 gives a comparison between the two retarders- its effect on the
Ø- value. Even the addition of very small percentage of tartaric acid (around
0.5%) brings down the Ø- value by 10%, the same amount of reduction is
experienced only at high percentages (8 to 10%) of triethanolamine. Hence one
has to be very careful in the use of tartaric acid as a retarder along with cement
grouts.
Cement content: 10 %
Initial water content: 10 %
53 curing period: 28 days
Tartaric acid
52 Triethanolamine
51
50
49
0 2 4 6 8 10
% of Retarder
Fig.4.87 Variation of angle of shearing resistance with retarder
128
Strength Studies on Ungrouted & Grouted Sand
58
Angle of shearing resistance (degrees)
56
54
Curing period
48 7 days
28 days
46
0.000 0.025 0.050 0.075 0.100 0.12
% of Detergent
Fig.4.88 Variation of angle of shearing resistance with detergent
of specimens cured for period of 7 days. But in the case of specimens cured for
28 days, after an initial increase, the Ø- value remains more or less constant
irrespective of the increase in the dosage. It is interesting to see that unlike other
129
Chapter-4
58
Angle of shearing resistance (degrees)
Curing period
7 days
52 28 days
50
48
(antibleeder) used along with cement grouts. The test specimens were prepared
at an initial water content of 10% and tested after curing for 7 and 28 days.
specimens cured for 28 days. When the initial water content is increased to 20%
seen incase of specimens cured for 7 days, with the increase in percentage of
130
Strength Studies on Ungrouted & Grouted Sand
aluminium sulphate; but in case of specimens cured for 28 days, after an initial
reduction (at around 2%) the Ø- value increases with increase in percentage of
the salt
with cement grout is given in Fig. 4.93. It can be seen that the behaviour is
exactly the same – ie. the Ø- value increases with increase in percentage of the
salt after an initial reduction at around 2% of the salt.
60
Angle of shearing resistance (degrees)
55
Curing period
7 days
45 28 days
40
0 2 4 6 8 10 12
Bentonite content (%)
131
Chapter-4
58
46
44
42
40
38
0 2 4 6 8 10
Bentonite content (%)
55
Angle of shearing resistance (degrees)
curing period
7 days
28 days
45
40
0 2 4 6 8 10
% of Aluminium sulphate
132
Strength Studies on Ungrouted & Grouted Sand
58
Angle of shearing resistance (degrees)
56
54
Soil: Medium sand
Cement content: 10 %
Initial water content: 10 %
52 curing period: 28 days
Bentonite
Aluminium Sulphate
50
0 2 4 6 8 10
% of Antibleeder
Fig.4.93 Variation of angle of shearing resistance with percentage of antibleeders
4.4.2.3 Lime
The variations in Ø- value with lime content are shown in Figs. 4. 94,
4.95 & 4.96. Eventhough the Ø value remains more or less constant at the
initial stages, the value increases beyond a certain value of lime content
(approx. 15%). Another interesting observation is that the value of Ø increases
with increase in water content, which is not in line with the variation of c value.
133
Chapter-4
Curing period
34 7 days
28 days
32
30
28
0 5 10 15 20
Lime content (%)
40
Angle of shearing resistance (degrees)
35
Soil: Medium sand
3
Unit weight: 14.5 kN/m
Initial water content: 20 %
Curing period
7 days
28 days
30
0 5 10 15 20 25
Lime Content (%)
134
Strength Studies on Ungrouted & Grouted Sand
40
Angle of shearing resistance (degrees)
35
30
0 5 10 15 20 25
Lime content (%)
38
Angle of shearing resistance (degrees)
36
34
Curing period
7 days
30 28 days
28
0 2 4 6 8 10
Bentonite content (%)
135
Chapter-4
60
Cement
Lime
55
50
45
40
35
30
0 5 10 15 20 25
Cement / Lime content (%)
Fig.4.98 Comparisons between angle of shearing resistance and cement / lime content
136
Strength Studies on Ungrouted & Grouted Sand
75
70
Angle of shearing resistance (degrees)
65
60
Soil: Medium sand
55 Initial water content: 20 %
Curing period: 28 days
50 Cement
Lime
45
40
35
0 5 10 15 20 25
Cement / Lime Content (%)
Fig.4.99 Comparisons between angle of shearing resistance and cement / lime content
137
Chapter-4
in curing time from 7 to 60 days and decreases in water cement ratio from 2 to
0.8 ( Sinroja et al. 2006).
Fig. 4.101 also shows the variation of compressive strength with cement
content, the initial water content being 20%. Here also, as expected, the
compressive strength increases with increase in cement content and curing
period. The effect of the initial water content on the compressive strength of the
grouted soil samples is shown in Fig. 4.102. It can be seen that the compressive
strength decreases with increase in initial water content.
8000
Soil : Medium sand
3
Unit weight of sand : 14.5 kN/m
Compressive Strength (kN/m )
2
2000
0
0 5 10 15 20 25
Cement Content (%)
Fig. 4.100 Variation of compressive strength with cement content
138
Strength Studies on Ungrouted & Grouted Sand
5000
Curing Period
7 days
3000
28 days
2000
1000
00 5 10 15 20 25
Cement Content (%)
Fig. 4.101 Variation of compressive strength with cement content
4000
2000
0
0 5 10 15 20 25
Cement Content (%)
Fig. 4.102 Variation of compressive strength with cement content
139
Chapter-4
140
Strength Studies on Ungrouted & Grouted Sand
500
Curing period
7 days
300
28 days
200
100
0
5 10 15 20 25
Initial water content (%)
Fig. 4.103 Variation of compressive strength with initial water content
2500
2000
Compressive Strength (kN/m )
2
1500
curing period
500 7 days
28 days
00 5 10 15 20 25
Initial water content (%)
Fig. 4.104 Variation of compressive strength with initial water content
141
Chapter-4
2500
2000
Compressive Strength (kN/m )
2
500
0
0 5 10 15 20 25 30
Initial water content (%)
Fig. 4.105 Variation of compressive strength with initial water content
12000
Soil: Coarse sand
3
Unit weight of sand : 14.5 kN/m
10000
Compressive Strength (kN/m )
2
4000
2000
0
0 5 10 15 20 25
Cement Content ( % )
142
Strength Studies on Ungrouted & Grouted Sand
Curing period
7 days
4000
28 days
2000
0
0 5 10 15 20 25
Cement Content ( % )
Fig. 4.107 Variation of compressive strength with cement content
12000
Water content : 10 %
3
Unit weight of sand : 14.5 kN/m
10000
Compressive Strength (kN/m )
2
Soil
8000
Fine sand
Medium sand
Coarse sand
6000
4000
2000
0
0 5 10 15 20 25
Cement Content (%)
Fig. 4.108 Variation of compressive strength with cement content
143
Chapter-4
1600
Compressive Strength (kN/m )
2
1200
800
Soil: Fine sand
3
Unit weight of sand : 14.5 kN/m
Cement Content: 10 %
400
Curing period
7 days
28 days
0
0 5 10 15 20 25
Initial water content (%)
Fig. 4.109 Variation of compressive strength with initial water content
144
Strength Studies on Ungrouted & Grouted Sand
2600
2400
Compressive Strength (kN/m )
2
1600
1400
0.0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0
Calcium chloride content (%)
Fig. 4.110 Effect of Calcium chloride content on compressive strength of cement grouted
Medium Sand
2400
2000
Compressive Strength (kN/m )
2
400
0.0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5 3.0
Sodium silicate content (%)
Fig. 4.111 Effect of Aluminium sulphate content on compressive strength of cement
grouted Medium Sand
145
Chapter-4
2400
Soil: Medium sand
Compressive Strength (kN/m )
3
2
Calicium chloride
2000 Sodium silicate
1800
1600
0.0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5 3.0
% of Accelerator
Fig. 4.112 Effect of accelerator on compressive strength of cement grouted Medium Sand
Curing period
7 days
1600 28 days
1200
800
400
0.0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6
Tartaric acid content (%)
Fig. 4.113 Effect of Tartaric acid content on compressive strength of cement grouted
Medium Sand
146
Strength Studies on Ungrouted & Grouted Sand
Fig. 4.115 shows the effect of the above two retarders on compressive
expander used in cement grouting. It can be seen that the compressive strength
remains more or less constant on addition of this admixture.
4.118. The behaviour of both these admixtures is almost the same. Eventhough
147
Chapter-4
2400
Cement content: 10 %
Initial water content: 10 %
1800
Curing period
7 days
1500 28 days
1200
900
600 0 2 4 6 8 10
Triethanolamine content (%)
Fig. 4.114 Effect of Triethanolamine content on compressive strength of cement
grouted Medium Sand
2400
Compressive Strength (kN/m )
2
2000
Triethanolamine
Tartaric acid
1200
0 2 4 6 8 10
% of Retarder
Fig. 4.115 Effect of retarder on compressive strength of cement grouted Medium Sand
148
Strength Studies on Ungrouted & Grouted Sand
2600
2400
Compressive Strength (kN/m )
2
2200
Soil: Medium sand
2000 Unit weight of sand : 14.5 kN/m
3
Cement content: 10 %
Initial water content: 10 %
1800
Curing period
1600 7 days
28 days
1400
1200
0.000 0.005 0.010 0.015 0.020
Aluminium powder content (%)
Fig. 4.116 Effect of Aluminium powder content on compressive strength of cement
grouted Medium Sand
2400
2200
Compressive Strength (kN/m )
2
Curing period
1600
7 days
28 days
1400
1200
1000 0 2 4 6 8 10
Aluminium sulphate content (%)
Fig. 4.117 Effect of Aluminium sulphate content on compressive strength of cement
grouted Medium Sand
149
Chapter-4
Compressive Strength (kN/m ) 2400
2
2000
Soil: Medium sand
3
Unit weight of sand : 14.5 kN/m
Cement content: 10 %
Initial water content: 10 %
1200
0 2 4 6 8 10
Bentonite content (%)
150
Strength Studies on Ungrouted & Grouted Sand
1200
Soil: Medium sand
3
Unit weight of sand : 14.5 kN/m
1000 Cement content: 10 %
Compressive Strength (kN/m )
Curing period
800 7 days
28 days
600
400
200
0 2 4 6 8 10
Bentonite content (%)
Fig. 4.119 Effect of Bentonite content on compressive strength of cement grouted
Medium Sand
2300
Soil: Medium sand
Cement content: 10 %
2250 Initial water content: 10 %
Curing period : 28 days
Compressive Strength (kN/m )
2
2100
2050
2000
0 2 4 6 8 10 12
% of Antibleeder
Fig.4.120 Effect of antibleeder on compressive strength of cement grouted Medium
Sand
151
Chapter-4
Where
c = cohesion intercept in kN/m2
p = compressive strength in kN/m2
Fig. 4.122 represents the relation between the measured and predicted
cohesion intercept (from the above equation) values. It can be seen that most of
the data points are located very close to the 450 line, as evident from a high
correlation coefficient of 0.95. A similar result was obtained in the case of the
plot between the measured and predicted compressive strength values shown in
Fig 4.123.
152
Strength Studies on Ungrouted & Grouted Sand
700
600
Cohesion Intercept (kN/m )
2
500
400
300
c = 0.079 p - 2.21
200
r = 0.95
100
0
0 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000 6000 7000 8000 9000
2
Compressive Strength (kN/m )
600
Correlation coff. = 0.95
Predicted Cohesion Intercept (kN/m )
2
500
400
300
200
100
0
0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700
2
Measured Cohesion Intercept (kN/m )
Fig. 4.122 Relation between measured cohesion intercept and predicted cohesion
intercept
153
Chapter-4
10000
8000
6000
4000
2000
0
0 2000 4000 6000 8000 10000
2
Measured compressive strength (kN/m )
Fig. 4.123 Relation between measured compressive strength and predicted compressive
strength
Fig 4.124 gives the relation between the compressive strength and the
angle of shearing resistance (obtained from results of direct shear tests). The
plot gives a non-linear relationship, the equation being,
154
Strength Studies on Ungrouted & Grouted Sand
and are shown in fig 4.125. It can be seen that the plot gives an excellent linear
relationship with a high correlation coefficient of 0.96.
where
τ - shear strength in kN/ m2
p - compressive strength in kN/m2
Fig. 4.126 shows the comparison between Predicted (computed from the
above equation) and Measured Shear Strength of Grouted samples. It can be
seen that most of the points are located close to the 450 line, the correlation
coefficient being 0.95.
75
70
65
Angle of shearing resistance (Degrees)
60
55
50
45
40
35
30
25
0 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000 6000 7000 8000 9000 10000
2
Compressive Strength (kN/m )
Fig. 4.124 Relation between compressive strength and angle of internal friction
155
Chapter-4
1000
800
Shear strength (kN/m )
2
600
200
0
0 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000 6000 7000 8000 9000
2
Compressive Strength (kN/m )
Fig. 4.125 Relation between Compressive strength and Shear Strength of Grouted samples
700
600
Correlation coff. = 0.95
Predicted shear strength (kN/m )
2
500
400
300
200
100
0
0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700
2
Measured shear strength (kN/m )
Fig. 4.126 comparison between Measured and Predicted Shear Strength of Grouted
samples
156
Strength Studies on Ungrouted & Grouted Sand
157
Chapter-4
158
Chapter 5
STUDIES ON CEMENT GROUTED SAND BEDS
5.1 Introduction
5.2 Design and fabrication of the grouting set up
Contents
5.1 Introduction
In order that grouting results be good, it is evident that the injector has to
choose the grout most suitable to the problem (viscosity, setting time, strength),
159
Chapter-5
but it is also necessary to know how to distribute it in the soil. For this, it is
necessary to make a correct choice of: (i) grout hole equipment (ii) distance
between grout holes (iii) length of injection passes (iv) number of grouting
phases and (v) grouting pressure and pumping rate (Shroff, 2009).
For the purpose of assessing the groutability and for conducting model
studies in the grouted bed in the laboratory, a grouting set up had to be designed
and fabricated. A grouting setup normally requires a grout chamber with
agitator, an air compressor, a regulating valve and a grouting nozzle. The grout
chamber fabricated is a barrel type cylindrical drum of 50 litre capacity (0.30 m
dia & 0.75 m height) placed vertically with an axial shaft fitted with blades as
shown in Figure 5.1(a).The shaft is connected to a motor mounted on a bracket.
The cement water slurry is fed through an opening provided for grout inlet and
is thoroughly mixed by the rotation of the blades. The compressed air is
allowed to enter through the pressure inlet pipe from the air compressor and can
be regulated by a pressure regulating valve. The pressure relief valve controls
the injection pressure to the predetermined values and the measurement of the
injection pressure can be made with the help of the pressure gauge attached to
the grout chamber. The graduated perspex tube connected to the grout chamber
gives an idea about the quantity of grout pumped into the medium. A
photograph of the grout chamber is shown in Fig.5.1 (b).
160
Studies on cement Grouted Sand Beds
161
Chapter-5
Figure 5.3 shows a schematic diagram of the grouting setup. The grout
slurry is poured into the chamber through the inlet and when switched ON the
motor agitates the grout, which rotates the blades attached to the shaft. To get
sufficient pumping pressure for the grout slurry, compressed air was pumped
into the chamber by opening the valve V1. Control of the pumping pressure of
grout slurry can be done by regulating the valve V2. Opening the valves V3,
V4, and V5 and simultaneously closing the water inlet valve and water jet valve
permits the flow of the grout into the annular space between the outer and inner
pipe and then into the medium to be grouted through the holes provided in the
nozzle. Flow of the grout in the vertical direction can be obtained by opening
the valve V6 and closing the valve V5. After the grouting operation, the grout
pipe and nozzle can be cleaned with the help of the water jet and water inlet.
Fig 5.4 shows a photograph of the grouting set up.
162
Studies on cement Grouted Sand Beds
(b) Cross-section
All dimensions are in mm
163
Chapter-5
164
Fig: 5.3 Schematic diagram of the grouting setup
Studies on cement Grouted Sand Beds
165
Chapter-5
After this the nozzle was completely withdrawn from the sand and
cleaned with water jet. The hole left in the sand bed which was already full with
cement slurry was filled with dry sand. Figs 5.5(a), 5.5(b) and 5.6 show the
grouting process in progress and the grouted sand. These grouted beds were
kept in humid conditions for curing. After 7 days of curing, load tests were
conducted on these grouted beds, dimensions of the cross section at different
depths were taken and representative samples were taken at different depths and
at different radial distances.
166
Studies on cement Grouted Sand Beds
167
Chapter-5
168
Studies on cement Grouted Sand Beds
Grouting of the sand bed was done with cement contents of 2, 4, & 6 %
by the weight of sand, the initial water content being 10 % (by weight of sand +
cement). In order to get a quantitative idea about the lateral flow of the grout,
the cross sectional dimensions were measured at different depths - 100, 200,
300, 400, 500 and 600 mm from the top of the grouted bed. Fig 5.7 shows the
cross sectional area of medium sand grouted with 2 % cement (water cement
ratio of 4.3) at different depths. It can be seen that the area of cross section
increases with the increase in the depth. A three dimensional view of the
resultant grouted mass is shown in Fig.5.7 (vii).
Fig 5.9 shows the cross section of medium sand grouted with 6 % of
cement (water cement ratio of 1.4) at different depths. It is seen that cross
sectional area increases with increase in the depth of grouting which is also
clear from the three dimensional view (Fig. 5.9 (vii)).
169
Chapter-5
170
Studies on cement Grouted Sand Beds
171
Chapter-5
172
Studies on cement Grouted Sand Beds
Cement
0.2 2%
Effective grouted c/s area (m )
2
4%
6%
0.1
0.0
100 200 300 400 500 600
Depth from surface (mm)
Fig. 5.10 (a) Comparison of cross section areas of grouted samples at different depths
173
Chapter-5
Fig. 5.14 shows the effective c/s area of medium and coarse sand
grouted with 4 % cement. It can be seen that cross sectional of medium sand is
much significant compared to coarse sand at this cement percentage.
The effective c/s area of medium and coarse sand grouted with 6 %
cement is shown in Fig. 5.15. At a depth of upto 400 mm the medium sand
shows significant increase in c/s area than coarse sand. Eventhough the same
amount of cement is used in both cases, the total grouted volume of medium
sand is more significant than coarse sand. In both cases of medium and coarse
sand, 4 % cement is more effective than 2 and 6 % cement.
174
Studies on cement Grouted Sand Beds
0.2 Cement
Effective grouted c/s area (m )
2
2%
4%
6%
0.1
0.0
100 200 300 400 500 600
Depth from surface (mm)
Fig. 5.11 Comparison of cross section areas of grouted samples at different depths
(i) Coarse sand grouted with 2% cement (ii) Coarse sand grouted with 4% cement
175
Chapter-5
Cement : 2 %
0.2 Medium Sand
Effective grouted c/s area (m )
Coarse Sand
2
0.1
0.0
100 200 300 400 500 600
Depth from surface (mm)
Fig. 5.13 Comparison of cross section areas of grouted medium & coarse sand
Cement : 4 %
Medium Sand
0.2 Coarse Sand
Effective grouted c/s area (m )
2
0.1
0.0
100 200 300 400 500 600
Depth from surface (mm)
Fig. 5.14 Comparison of cross section areas of grouted medium & coarse sand
176
Studies on cement Grouted Sand Beds
The earlier results show that the lateral flow of the grout is very poor in
the case of 6 % cement compared to 4 % cement. This may be due to the low
stability and viscosity of the 6 % cement grout. The effectiveness of
antibleeders and fluidisers in increasing the stability and viscosity of cement
grouts have already been established. Hence studies were made in this direction
to verify whether the antibleeders and fluidiser could enhance the lateral flow of
the cement grout.
The admixtures used in the present study to make the grout more stable
include bentonite and aluminium sulphate (antibleeders) and detergent
(fluidiser). Figs. 5.16 (a) & 5.16 (b) show the effect of bentonite (5, 10 & 15 %
by weight of cement) and detergent (0.05 % by weight of cement) when used
177
Chapter-5
But these admixtures can influence the efficiency of the grout, when
grouting is done in coarse sand. Figs 5.18 (a) and 5.18 (b) clearly bring out this.
The column chart shown as Fig. 5.18 (a) clearly gives the increase in the
effective grouted cross section area when a combination of different
percentages of bentonite and 0.05 % detergent were used along with the cement
grout. It can be seen that the best results are produced by the combination of 15
% bentonite and 0.05 % detergent along with the 6 % cement grout. Fig. 5.18
(b) which shows the increase in grouted volume on using these admixtures
along with 6 % cement, in grouting coarse sand, underlines the above
statement. Some typical photographs of grouted samples are shown in fig.5.19.
5.5 Grouting efficiency from actual cement contents.
The flow of grouts in the pore space of the soil or any discontinuity of rock is
resisted by the drag at the interface between the grains and the fluid. For soils that are
not uniformly graded, useful estimates of the grout penetrated to the soils are
required. Generally the monitoring and efficiency of grouting is observed by the
flow - rate versus pressure which depends upon the porosity of the soil to be grouted.
178
Studies on cement Grouted Sand Beds
Cement : 6 %
0.2
Medium Sand
Effective grouted c/s area (m )
2
Coarse Sand
0.1
0.0
100 200 300 400 500 600
Depth from surface (mm)
Fig. 5.15 Comparison of cross section areas of grouted medium & coarse sand
(as % of cement)
0 0
5 0.05
10 0.05
15 0.05
0.1
0.0
100 200 300 400 500 600
Depth from surface (mm)
Fig. 5.16 (a) Effect of antibleeder & fluidiser on the flow of grout
179
Chapter-5
Al2 SO 4 Detergent
2
(as % of cement)
0 0
2 0
2 0.05
0.1
0.0
100 200 300 400 500 600
Depth from surface (mm)
180
Studies on cement Grouted Sand Beds
0 0
2
5 0
10 0.05
0.15
15 0.05
0.10
0.05
0.00
100 200 300 400 500 600
Fig. 5.18 (a) Effect of antibleeder & fluidiser on the flow of grout
181
Chapter-5
(i) (ii)
(iii) (iv)
Fig. 5.19 (a) Typical photographs of grouted samples
182
Studies on cement Grouted Sand Beds
(v) (vi)
(vii) (viii)
Fig. 5.19 (b) Typical photographs of grouted samples
183
Chapter-5
The sand bed prepared as explained in 5.3 at a unit weight of 13.1 kN/m3
was grouted using 2, 4 or 6 % cement and kept under humid conditions for
curing for a period of 28 days. Samples from different depths and from different
radial distances were cut from this grouted mass for the determination of
cement content.
Fig.5. 20 shows the variation of the cement content with radial distance
from the centre of grout hole at various depths of 200, 300, 400, 500 and 600
mm from the top of the grouted bed. 2 % cement (w/c ratio of 4.3) was used for
grouting this bed of medium sand. As one would expect, the distribution of
cement is not uniform with maximum cement content around the grout hole and
it gradually decrease with distance from the centre of the hole. At the centre,
eventhough the cement content is very high (5 to 8), it reduces to around 1.5 %
as the distance increases to 20 cm. The pattern of this variation in cement
content remains the same irrespective of the depth. The same results are also
plotted in Fig. 5.21 in the form of a column chart which gives a better
representation of this variation.
The variation of cement content with travel distance of grout in the case of
4 % cement (w/c. ratio of 2.2) at different depths are presented in Fig. 5.22. In this
case also the samples were taken from distances of 0, 6, 12 and 22 cm from the
centre of the grout hole. Compared to the earlier case the cement content obtained
184
Studies on cement Grouted Sand Beds
at various depths at the same radial distance do not vary much. Also the higher
cement contents obtained at farther distances and the higher grouted volume (Fig.
5.8) indicates the better efficiency of the 4 % cement grout in medium sand.
300
400
500
600
4
0
0 50 100 150 200
Radial distance from centre of grout hole (mm)
200
300
400
500
4 600
0
0 50 100 150 200
185
Chapter-5
14
Soil: M edium Sand
Initial W ater Content : 10 %
12 (W ater cem ent ratio: 2.2)
G routed with 4 % cem ent
300
8 400
500
600
6
0
0 40 80 120 160 200 240
Radial distance from centre of grout hole (m m )
A comparison of the flow of the grout in the lateral direction when the
medium sand is grouted with cement 2, 4 & 6 % cement grouts at depths 300,
400 & 600 mm from the surface are given in Figs 5.24, 5.25 & 5.26
respectively. It can be seen that 4 % cement grout is more effective from the
cement content and is more economical.
186
Studies on cement Grouted Sand Beds
100
200
300
400
8 500
600
0
0 50 100 150 200
Radial distance from centre of grout hole (m m )
16
0
0 50 100 150 200
Radial distance from centre of grout hole (mm)
187
Chapter-5
14
4%
6%
8
0
0 50 100 150 200 250
R adial distance from centre of grout hole (m m )
12
S oil: M edium Sand
Initial W ater C ontent : 10 %
C em ent
8 2 %
4 %
6 %
0
0 50 100 150 200 250
R adial distance from centre of grout hole (m m )
grouted with 6 % cement along with admixtures. The admixtures used in this
case were bentonite (antibleeder - 5 % by weight of cement) and detergent
(fluidiser - 0.05 % by weight of cement). Similarly the effect of the
combination of admixtures – aluminium sulphate (antibleeder – 2 % by weight
of cement) and detergent on the 6 % cement grout in improving the lateral flow
is given in Fig 5.28. Fig. 5.29 compares the effect of these admixtures with
that of the grout without any admixture. It is clear from the figure that these
admixtures can certainly enhance the lateral flow. Further it can be seen that
aluminium sulphate performs better as an antibleeder compared to bentonite,
when used along with cement grout.
100
20 300
500
15
10
0
0 50 100 150 200 250
Radial distance from centre of grout hole (m m )
Fig.5. 27 Variation of cement content with travel distance of the grout
189
Chapter-5
18
Detergent : 0.05 %
0
0 50 100 150 200 250
Radial distance from centre of grout hole (m m )
25
10
0
0 50 100 150 200 250
Radial distance from centre of grout hole (m m )
190
Studies on cement Grouted Sand Beds
20
400
500
10 600
0
0 50 100 150 200 250
Radial distance from centre of grout hole (mm)
400
500
600
10
0
0 50 100 150 200 250
Radial distance from centre of grout hole (mm)
191
Chapter-5
20
Soil : Coarse Sand
Initial W ater Content : 10 %
Grouted with 6 % cement
16 Depth from surface (mm)
100
200
300
Cement Content (%)
12 400
500
600
0
0 50 100 150 200 250
Radial distance from centre of grout hole (mm)
192
Studies on cement Grouted Sand Beds
16
14
Soil : Coarse Sand
Initial W ater Content : 10 %
12 Depth from surface: 300 mm
Cement
Cement Content (%)
10 2%
4%
8 6%
0
0 50 100 150 200 250
Radial distance from centre of grout hole (mm)
20
Soil : Coarse Sand
Initial W ater Content : 10 %
Cement: 6 %
16 Bentonite: 15 %
Detergent: 0.05 %
Depth from surface (mm)
100
200
Cement Content (%)
12
300
400
500
600
8
0
0 50 100 150 200 250
Radial distance from centre of grout hole (mm)
Fig.5. 34 Variation of cement content with travel distance of the grout
193
Chapter-5
The results and discussions in the previous sections show that the
grouting efficiency can be assessed reasonably well from the effective grouted
cross section area and also by the determination of cement contents at different
radial distances. But it was felt that a more realistic picture could be obtained if
load tests were conducted on these grouted sand beds.
Fig. 5.36 shows the load settlement curves in the case of medium sand
grouted with 2, 4 & 6 % cement along with that for ungrouted sand. It can be
seen from the figure that the ultimate stress at the loosest state (corresponding
to a dry unit weight of 13.1 kN/m3) is only 22.7 kN/m2. Maximum compaction
yielded a unit weight of 16.2 kN/m3 and the corresponding ultimate stress was
367 kN/m2. When the sand at loosest state was grouted with 2% cement, the
ultimate stress became 380 kN/m2. The ultimate load corresponding to 4%
cement grout was 611 kN/m2, which is around 27 times the ultimate stress at
the loosest state. In case of sand grouted with 6% cement, the ultimate stress
was 830 kN/m2, which is 35 times the value of that of the sand at loosest state.
194
Studies on cement Grouted Sand Beds
Fig 5.39 shows the increase in strength of the medium and coarse sand
with the increase in cement content in the grout. In the case of grouted medium
sand, the increase in strength is at a steady rate, where as for grouted coarse
sand, the rate of increase in strength is quite high as the cement content is
increased from 2 to 4 %. Further, in the case of coarse sand, minimum cement
content is required for the grouting to be effective. This may be due to the
increased pore space available in the case of coarse sand compared to medium
sand.
195
Chapter-5
10 Grouted with
Settlement (mm)
2 % Cement
4 % Cement
15 6 % Cement
20
25
30
Fig. 5.36 Load settlement curves for grouted sand bed (medium sand)
196
Studies on cement Grouted Sand Beds
2
Load intensity (kN/m )
0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200
0
10
Settlement (mm)
20 Grouted with
2 % Cement
4 % Cement
6 % Cement
25
Fig. 5.37 Load settlement curves for grouted sand bed (coarse sand)
2
Load intensity (kN/m )
0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400 1600
0
10
Settlement (mm)
20
25
197
Chapter-5
1000
800
Ultimate stress (kN/m )
2
600
Coarse sand
400
Medium sand
200
0
0 1 2 3 4 5 6
% of cement in the grout
Fig. 5.39 Variation of ultimate stress of grouted sand with % of cement in the grout
Load test was conducted on the medium sand bed grouted with 6 %
cement along with the admixtures. The admixtures used are bentonite (5 % by
weight of cement, which was found to be the optimum dosage as given in Fig
5.16) and detergent (0.05 % by weight of cement). The results from the load
test are plotted in Fig 5.40 which also gives the load- settlement curve for 6%
cement without any admixtures. Eventhough there is a slight reduction (around
198
Studies on cement Grouted Sand Beds
20 %) in strength, the admixtures make the grouted sand bed to be more ductile,
thus eliminating the chances of a sudden failure of foundations.
2
Load intensity (kN/m )
0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400
0
10
Settlement (mm)
15
Grouted with
25 6 % Cement
6 % Cement + 5 % Bentonite + 0.05 % Detergent
30
Fig. 5.40 Effect of admixtures on the load – settlement behaviour ( medium sand)
199
Chapter-5
2
Load intensity (kN/m )
0 400 800 1200 1600 2000 2400
0
10
Settlement (mm)
15
20
Soil : coarse sand
Grouted with
25
6 % Cement
6 % Cement +15 % bentonite + 0.05 % Detergent
30
Fig. 5.41 Effect of admixtures on the load settlement behaviour (coarse sand)
2
Load intensity (kN/m )
0 400 800 1200 1600 2000 2400
0
10
Settlement (mm)
Grouted with
6 % Cement
15 15 % Bentonite
0.05 % Detergent
20 Medium sand
coarse sand
25
30
Fig. 5.42 comparison of the effect of admixtures in medium and coarse sand
200
Studies on cement Grouted Sand Beds
grouted beds in the ideal condition; i.e. what would have been the strength, had
the grout been uniformly spread over the entire volume of the soil mass. For
this purpose medium sand was uniformly mixed with different percentages of
cement (2, 4 and 6 % by weight of sand) and water (10 % by weight of sand +
cement) and filled in such a way that the initial unit weight of medium sand
alone was 13.1 kN/m3 (corresponding to the loosest state). After curing under
humid conditions for 28 days, load test was conducted following the same
procedure, the results of which are presented in Fig 5.43. As expected, there is a
10
Settlement (mm)
25
Fig. 5.43 Load settlement curves of cement treated medium sand (uniformly mixed)
201
Chapter-5
2
Load intensity (kN/m )
0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000
0
10
Settlement (mm)
15
Medium sand
20 Cement : 4 %
Mixed uniformily
Grouted by grout pump
25
Fig. 5.44 Comparison of load settlement behaviour of cement grouted and uniformly mixed
sand beds
8000
6000
2
4000
2000
0
0 1 2 3 4 5 6
% of cement in the grout
202
Studies on cement Grouted Sand Beds
(grout pumped through grout pump) without any admixtures, with that of the
uniformly mixed medium sand beds is given in Figs 5.44 and 5.45. It can be
seen that grouting by grout pump could yield only one-third the load carrying
capacity of that of the uniformly mixed bed, for a cement content of 4 %. This
figure along with Fig. 5.45 stress the need for developing proper grouting tools
and methods for making the grouting process more efficient so that the
203
Chapter-5
204
Chapter 6
PERMEABILITY STUDIES ON THE GROUTED SOIL
6.1 Introduction
6.2 Cement as the grout material
Contents
6.1 Introduction
The effectiveness of grouting to improve the strength characteristics of
loose sandy soils has already been established with the help of experimental
results in Chapters 4 and 5. Grouting is normally undertaken to reduce the
permeability of rock or soil formations and this process is used extensively in
the construction of hydraulic structures such as dams, power houses, tunnels
and in a wide variety of special cases. Various materials such as cement, sand,
silt, clay, bentonite, chemicals etc. are used, depending upon the need and
purpose of grouting and the nature of formations to be grouted. Eventhough the
application of this grouting technique to reduce the permeability of rock
formations has been reported in literature, no serious attempts are reported
about the effective use of this technique to reduce the permeability of soil
205
Chapter-6
-
2 Medium sand 0.42 5 – 2.0 1.86 x 10 4
-
3 Coarse sand 2 .0 – 4.75 2.69 x 10 4
The technology of grouting now plays an important role in all the fields
of foundation engineering such as seepage control in rock and soil under dams,
advancing tunnels, cut off walls etc. in the evaluation of safety of any dam,
problems connected with excessive leaching and seepage. Seepage not only
causes loss of valuable water stored in the reservoir, but also poses problems by
its existence through piping. Control of seepage through the dam foundation
and minimizing exit gradient on the downstream, play key roles in the analysis
and design of dams. When transit or utility tunnels are to be placed beneath the
water table and the soils encountered have permeability greater than
approximately 1 x 10-5 m/s, water inflow can be expected. Along with this
water inflow, soil can be eroded into the tunnel, resulting in piping collapses
and adverse surface settlements. Remedial and rehabilitation measures for
206
Permeability Studies on the Grouted Soil
For grout injected specimens, decreasing the water to cement ratio of the
grout and increasing the curing time significantly lowered the permeability and
increased the strength, whereas increasing the distance from the injection point
strength. These trends are consistent with the sand acting as a filter for the grout
suspension (Schwarz and Krizek, 1994).
in the permeability mould. For preparing the samples, medium sand (unit
weight 14.5 kN/m3) was mixed with different percentages of cement in the dry
condition. Then 10 % (by weight of sand – cement mixture) water was added to
the mixture, mixed well and filled in the mould for conducting the permeability
test.
207
Chapter-6
soil treated with cement, at different curing periods. As one would expect, the
Similarly increased use of cement (beyond 10%) can influence the permeability
at higher curing periods only. The reduction in permeability with respect to the
cement content and curing period is more clear in Fig. 6.2. It can be seen that
the permeability got reduced by 1/7400 in the case of 25% cement and cured
for 28 days. When cement alone was added to the medium sand, the cement
-4
1x10
Permeability k,(m / sec)
-5
1x10
-6
1x10
Soil : Medium Sand
7 days
-7
1x10 14 days
28 days
-8
1x10
0 5 10 15 20 25 30
Cement Content (%)
Fig.6.1 Effect of cement content on permeability of cement treated sand
208
Permeability Studies on the Grouted Soil
1
10
1
100
209
Chapter-6
-3
1x10
-4
1x10
Permeability, k (m/sec)
-5
1x10
-6
1x10
Cement content
4%
-7 10%
1x10 25%
-8
1x10
0 5 10 15 20 25 30
Time (days)
-4
1x10
Permeability k,(m / sec)
-5
1x10
-6
1x10
-8
1x10
0.01 0.1 1
D10 (mm)
Fig.6.4 Effect of effective size of particles on the permeability of cement treated sand
210
Permeability Studies on the Grouted Soil
sand - cement mixture and the corresponding permeability. Similarly, the addition
of cement (process taking place in cement grouting) will cause a reduction in the
void ratio and consequently the permeability. The plot between the void ratios
‘e’ and the coefficient of permeability ‘k’ (Fig. 6.5) illustrates the reduction in
permeability accompanied by the reduction in void ratio.
-3
1x10
-4
1x10
Permeability k,(m / sec)
-5
1x10
-6
1x10
-8
1x10
0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9
Void ratio,e
Fig. 6.5 Plot between void ratio and permeability of sandy soil treated with cement
211
Chapter-6
A soil bentonite mix is a three phase material of solids, water and air.
Besides their different densities, the two components of the solid phase have
different properties and must be considered separately. The bentonite particles
have a very high specific surface (5 - 12 × 104 m2/kg) which allows them to
retain a portion of water that displays inability to flow as freely as the
remaining water in the pore space (Chapuis 1990). Fig.6. 6 presents the results
of permeability tests conducted on medium sand treated with two different
percentages – 4 % and 10 %. The different percentages of bentonite (0.2 to 1.5
% by wt. of the sand + cement mixture) was added and the permeability tests
were conducted after a curing period of 15 days, as per the procedure discussed
in section 3.4.3. It is clear that there is a phenomenal reduction in the
permeability due to the addition of this admixture, i.e., bentonite. Another
interesting observation is that, eventhough the permeability goes on decreasing
with % of bentonite, at higher % of bentonite (e.g. 1.5 %), the permeability
corresponding to 4 % cement and 10 % cement yield almost the same value.
-3
1x10
-5
1x10
-6
1x10
-7
1x10
-8
1x10
-9
1x10
0.0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0 1.2 1.4 1.6
% of Bentonite
Fig. 6.6 Effect of bentonite on permeability of sandy soil treated with cement
212
Permeability Studies on the Grouted Soil
The results are presented in Fig. 6.7. It can be seen that unlike cement
(Fig. 6.1) where the permeability goes on reducing with cement content, the
reduction in permeability with increase in the percentage of clay is marginal,
upto a clay percentage of around 15 %. Thereafter, there is a drastic reduction
in permeability with percentage of clay. Experiments were also conducted on
213
Chapter-6
other sand fractions- i.e. fine and coarse. Different percentages of clay were
mixed with these sand fractions and the permeability tests were conducted. The
results of tests on these sand fractions are also given in Fig. 6.7.
-3
1x10
-4
1x10
-5
1x10
Permeability (m / sec)
-6
1x10
-7
1x10
Fine sand
-8 Medium sand
1x10
Coarse sand
-9
1x10
0 5 10 15 20 25 30
clay (%)
214
Permeability Studies on the Grouted Soil
In the above set of experiments, the same amount of clay (5, 10, 15, 20
& 25 %) was mixed with all the three fractions of sand, the initial unit weight
being 14.5 kN/ m3. Hence the void ratios of the specimens having the same clay
content remain the same. The void ratio in each case and the corresponding
permeability values for all the three fractions of sand are tabulated in Table 6.2.
The wide variations in permeability for the three sand fractions having the same
void ratio are quite clear from the table. In other words, we can get the same
permeability for different sand fractions, eventhough their void ratios are
different. For example, fine sand without any clay (void ratio = 0.83) and coarse
sand having 20 % clay (void ratio = 0.52) yield almost the same value of
permeability.
215
Chapter-6
Table 6.2 Effect of void ratio on permeability of sandy soil with clay
The above fact is also brought out by the figure 6.8, which is a plot
between the effective size (D10) of the particles in the specimen and the
permeability. Eventhough the permeability is almost constant for all the soil
fractions at higher values of D10, it varies widely as the value of D10 decreases.
-3
1x10
-4
1x10
Permeability k,(m / sec)
-5
1x10
-6
1x10
Fine Sand + Clay
-7
1x10 Medium Sand + Clay
Coarse Sand + Clay
-8
1x10
-9
1x10
1E-3 0.01 0.1 1
D10 (mm)
216
Permeability Studies on the Grouted Soil
6.5 Bentonite
Bentonite clay, which is also used as an antibleeder along with cement
grout was tried in order to reduce the permeability of the sand. Samples for
permeability test were prepared by mixing medium sand (unit weight 14.5 kN/
m3) and bentonite powder (in the dry condition) at different percentages and
filling the mixture in the moulds. The results obtained from the permeability
tests are given in Fig. 6.9. It can be seen from the figure that the permeability
reduces drastically as the percentages of the bentonite increases. The figure also
gives a comparison of the performance of bentonite in relation to the locally
available clay and cement. The effectiveness of bentonite in relation to Cochin
marine clay and cement in reducing the permeability of a sand medium is quite
clear from this figure.
-3
1x10
Soil : Medium sand
-4 Clay
1x10
Cement
Bentonite
Permeability, k (m / sec )
-5
1x10
-6
1x10
-7
1x10
-8
1x10
-9
1x10
0 5 10 15 20 25 30
% of Additive
217
Chapter-6
-8
1.0x10
-9
9.0x10
-9
8.0x10
Permeability, k (m/sec)
-9
7.0x10
-9
6.0x10
-9
5.0x10
-9
Soil : Medium sand + 25% clay
4.0x10 Additive
Lime
-9
3.0x10 Cement
-9
2.0x10
-9
1.0x10 0 2 4 6 8
% of cement / lime
Fig. 6.10 Effect of additives on permeability of sandy soil treated with clay
out by Jose et al. (1987) and Abraham (1993). But the effect on permeability
when this clay is treated with these additives has not been studied. Experiments
were conducted in this direction by conducting permeability tests on the
samples prepared by mixing medium sand and 25 % Cochin marine clay treated
with different percentages (by dry weight of clay) of cement or lime and cured
for 15 days, in order to explore the possibility of getting further reduction in the
permeability. The results are presented in Fig. 6.10. Eventhough smaller
percentages of lime cause a reduction in permeability, it becomes more
permeable as the lime content increases. But the treatment with cement causes a
reduction in the permeability, the effect of which is more pronounced at higher
percentages of cement. Hence the permeability of a sand medium can be
reduced to any extent by the use of a proper combination of locally available
clay and cement.
218
Chapter 7
SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS
7.1 Introduction
7.2 Strength improvement on densification
7.3 Improvement of shear strength on grouting
7.3.1 Grouted with cement alone
7.3.2 Grouted with cement and admixtures
7.3.3 Grouted with lime
Contents
7.1 Introduction
There has been a rapid development in the field of civil engineering
requiring selection of site from considerations other than soil quality alone. This
results in the need to make use of sites with very low bearing capacity/strength
also, such as loose sandy soils. This investigation examines the scope of
improving granular soils of low strength with cement grouting. Results on
systematic studies carried out on strength of cement grouted sand medium from
219
Chapter-7
the view point of bearing capacity are scanty. Based on the experimental
investigations and test results, the following conclusions are made.
¾ The load carrying capacity of the sand medium depends not only on the
density but also on the gradation and the load carrying capacity of finer
fractions, is always higher compared to the coarser fractions irrespective
of the density. This can be attributed to the increased contact area
between the particles, in the case of finer fractions.
220
Summary and Conclusions
specific area, etc), the grout (nature, type, particle size distribution etc) and the
injection conditions (rate of discharge, grout pressure, injection procedure etc).
The conclusions drawn from the results of a series of direct shear tests,
conducted on samples prepared (by hand mixing) with different grouting
materials are given below.
¾ The shear strength of the loose sandy soil steadily increases with
increase in cement content and also with curing period, for all sand
fractions.
Several admixtures are used along with the cement grout to improve the
various properties of grout suspensions. The effects of these admixtures on the
strength of grouted sand were not studied previously. The following
221
Chapter-7
conclusions are made related to the shear strength of loose sand grouted with
cement along with these admixtures.
¾ One has to be very careful in the use of tartaric acid (retarder) with
cement grout. The results indicate a sharp decrease in shear strength
value when the cement content is less than 0.15 %. The shear strength
increases at lower percentage of triethanolamine and a marginal
reduction is noticed as the percentage of this salt increases. Comparing
the two retarders, triethanolamine gives much higher shear strength even
at lower percentages and hence can be considered as a better retarder.
222
Summary and Conclusions
¾ The shear strength of the loose sandy soil increases with increase in lime
content and curing period, but this increase is negligible compared to
the tremendous increase in shear strength when cement is used as the
grout material.
¾ The influence of the initial water content of the cement grout is very
significant in the case of values of c and with Ø. While the value of c
drastically reduces with increase in i.w.c., the effect on Ø- value is just
opposite. i.e. the value of Ø goes on increasing with increase in the
initial water content of the grout, except in the case of fine sand.
¾ Among the two accelerators tried, the reduction in Ø- value is more with
the addition of Calcium Chloride compared to Sodium Silicate but the
greater increase in cohesion intercept results in increased shear strength.
223
Chapter-7
¾ The use of optimum dosage (0.05 %) of the detergent (fluidiser) will not
adversely affect the values of the shear strength parameters.
224
Summary and Conclusions
¾ The Ø value remains more or less constant at the initial stages, but the
value increases at higher lime contents (beyond 15%). Another
interesting observation is that in the case of lime also, the value of Ø
increases with increase in water content, which is not in line with the
variation of c value.
225
Chapter-7
¾ Among the retarders, the reduction in strength is much less in the case of
triethanolamine compared to tartaric acid. Further the property of
triethanolamine in reducing the viscosity of cement grouts can be taken
advantage of in using this as an admixture along with cement grout.
226
Summary and Conclusions
227
Chapter-7
¾ In the case of coarse sand also, grouting with 4% cement gave the
maximum areas of cross section, which is less than that of medium sand.
¾ Use of admixtures in cement grout does not enhance the cross section
area of medium sand.
228
Summary and Conclusions
¾ Use of admixtures enhances the lateral flow in the case of both medium
& coarse sand. Aluminium sulphate performs better as an antibleeder
compared to bentonite, when used along with cement grout, in the case
of medium sand.
The results of a series of load tests conducted on the grouted sand beds
gave the following conclusions
¾ For coarse sand, a minimum cement content is required for the grouting
to be effective. This may be due to the increased pore space available in
the case of coarse sand compared to medium sand.
¾ In the case of coarse sand, the admixtures help to increase the load
carrying capacity (twice the strength compared to the sand bed grouted
without admixtures). This can be attributed to the increased lateral flow
of the grout when admixtures are used along with cement in grouting
coarse sand bed
229
Chapter-7
230
Summary and Conclusions
231
Chapter-7
232
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PUBLICATIONS
Publications based on the research works
Papers in Journals
245