Freeze-thaw testing of stabilized soil samples used for riverbank consolidation

Abstract

Riverbank erosion is a common problem of the Romanian freshwater system. Classic riverbank stabilization methods consisted of using different type of concrete, however concrete manufacture consumes large amount of non-renewable raw materials and energy, and it is a carbon-intensive process. Many efforts are, therefore, being undertaken towards the developing “greener” solutions. There are different type of retaining walls resulted from the need to avoid reinforced concrete wall solutions, such as gabion walls, solid masonry walls, rocky embankment prisms, and wooden pile retaining systems. But all of these solutions converge on gathering raw material from an external source, and transporting it on location. In Romania acquiring crushed stone tends to become problematic, especially, in the areas outside the Carpathian mountain range. Therefore a solution of using local soil as a base for a stabilized soil layer is very practical and economical from a technologic point of view. Being a hydrotechnical application, the freeze-thaw resistance of the stabilized layer is crucial for the lifetime of structures. The objective of our study was to determine this parameter, in accordance with the Romanian norms and regulations.