Experimental Study on the Modulus of Subgrade Reaction for Sandy Soil Improved by Grouting Materials

Abstract

Many methods have been used for soil improvement at site, one of these methods is grouting. Cement grouted soils consist of particulate soil media and cementation agents. Such soils have been widely used to improve the shear strength and stiffness of weak soils and for preventing of water seepage through soils. The modulus of subgrade reaction may give a good indication about the soil bearing capacity and stiffness. This geotechnical parameter can be measured by using the plate load test. In this study, an experimental work is done to assess the improvement in the stiffness of sandy soils by injection two different cementing agents (cement and colloidal silica). The work includes plate loading tests with two different plate diameters (B= 150 and B= 250 mm). The effects of plate size, depth of the grouted zone (0-B and B-2B) as well as the effect of grouting material type on the performance of the grouted soil are investigated. The results show that the colloidal silica grout is more effective in increasing the modulus of sub grade reaction (ks) than the cement grout. Also, the use of plate with 150 mm diameter gives higher value of (ks) than that of 250 mm diameter. Furthermore, grout injection at depth (from 0 to B) gives a higher value of (ks) than that for deeper grouted zone.