Abstract

This research investigated the impact of leaching on the compressibility and shear strength properties of undisturbed and cement-treated Champlain Sea clay. A total of five undisturbed clay samples were leached with distilled water in the laboratory to reduce the salinity from initial values ranging from 9.5 to 15 g/L to the salinity values of 2.75, 1.45, 1.03, 0.55, and 0.35 g/L. A series of geotechnical tests were conducted on these samples at different salinity levels, including constant rate of strain consolidation tests, consolidated isotropic undrained triaxial compression tests, and vane shear tests. The experimental results showed that leaching leads to an increase in the compressibility and a reduction in shear strength of undisturbed Champlain Sea clay. The experimental results revealed that cement, mixed at a dosage of 50 kg/m3 , can significantly decrease the compressibility and increase the shear strength of Champlain Sea clay. A leached cement-treated sample exhibits a relatively higher compressibility than that of unleached cementtreated one. An increase in compressibility was also observed as salinity declines for the cementtreated samples. Moreover, a cement-treated sample at a lower salinity level displays slightly a higher shear strength compared to that of a cement-treated sample at the original salinity level.

Highlights

  • 1.1 Background Champlain Sea clay or Leda clay is the lateGlacial marine clay, found throughout the Ottawa-St

  • As the soil is exposed above the sea-level, the salt concentration in the pore water can be reduced by leaching with fresh water, flood, and the soil may eventually transformed into quick clay

  • A decrease in the salinity of the clay can cause an increase in its compressibility and lower its shear strength and liquid limit which has been reported by many researchers (Torrace, 1974; Woo & Moh, 1977; Ismael, 1993; Kim & Do, 2009)

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Summary

Introduction

1.1 Background Champlain Sea clay or Leda clay is the lateGlacial marine clay, found throughout the Ottawa-St. The clay is susceptible to land slides which constitutes one of the principal terrain of hazards affecting property and human life in the eastern Canada. This type of clay is known for its low shear strength, high compressibility and highly sensitive characteristics. Since Champlain Sea clay was deposited under the marine environment, a high initial pore water salt concentration is expected. Due to the high compressibility and low shear strength of Champlain Sea clay, it is essential to improve the soil properties for any infrastructure development in that area. This chapter first presents some index properties, undrained shear strength and the sensitivity of the Champlain Sea clay sample used in this study.

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