STABILIZATION
OF CALCAREOUS SEDIMENTS USING CEMENT AND STEEL SLAG AGGREGATE
Saad A. Aiban, Omar
S. A1-Amoudi, Hamad l. Al-Abdul Wahhab
And Habib R. Ahmed
ABSTRACT
Constriction
of roads and foundations in eastern Saudi Arabia has received special
consideration from the concerned authorities due to the lack of good quality
materials. Calcareous sediments, locally known as marl, are considered the best
candidate for road bases and foundations in the region despite their
geotechnical problems such as grain crushing, water sensitivity and inaccurate
characterization procedures. The extensive use of these materials without the
realization of their abnormal properties has resulted in unsatisfactory
performance of many structures. Cracks in walls due to unequal settlement and
subsidence of floor slabs have been noticed in few places where marls were used
as a foundation or backfill material. In other places, heaving of sidewalks was
observed due to the existence of expansive marls. These instances, although
considered less frequent compared to those observed roads, can cause severe
damages.
This
investigation is one of a series; to evaluate the geotechnical properties of
over twenty calcareous sediments from different places covering the eastern
part of Saudi Arabia.
Thereafter, two marl and one cliché soils were selected for detailed
characterization and stabilization. The results indicate significant variations
in the behavior of these materials whereby their strength exhibited acute water
sensitivity. The addition of low cement content or steel slag aggregate
improved the strength and reduced the water sensitivity significantly. The effects of cement content, curing procedure; period and
temperature. and delay in compaction
on the strength and durability of the cement-treated calcareous sediments were
investigated. Field trials have indicated
an excellent performance of the steel slag aggregate and the cement-treated
calcareous sediments.
KEYWORDS
Calcareous sediments, characterization, marl, cement, steel
slag, road bases, strength, water sensitivity.