Effect of fines mineralogy on the oedometric compressional behavior of sandy soils

Abstract

Oedometer tests have been performed on reconstituted samples prepared to study the consolidation behavior of sandy soils. The influence of fines content and type can be determined with oedometer test by utilizing intergranular void ratio. Result shows that, up to transition fines content, compression behavior of the mixtures is mainly controlled by the sand grains. When concentration of fines exceeds transition fines content, fines controls the compression. The transition fines content varies between 15 and 35% regardless of fines mineralogy. This range of fines content is also consistent with various values reported in literature regarding the strength alteration. It can be conclude that the presence of fines on sand does not increase the compression of the sand but it is improving it. Therefore for mixtures with fines content above 10% between 15 to 35% are useful for reclamation activities because of their low oedometer compression. Key words: Silty sand, fines, fines content, oedometer, compression