Optimal water-cement ratio of cement-stabilized soil

Abstract

Since the water-cement ratio of cement-stabilized soil has a significant influence on strength and stiffness, this study aimed to investigate a new water-cement ratio selection method for deep soil mixing construction. An empirical model was established to estimate the optimal water-cement ratio of cement-stabilized soil with different cement contents based on the results of a series of liquid limit tests, bleeding limit tests, particle grading tests, unconfined compressive tests, and viscosity tests. The water-cement ratio calculated by this model can satisfy the fluidity of the cement-stabilized soil and prevent bleeding. The test results indicate that the optimal water-cement ratio changes with the cement content, and it can be accurately described by the proposed model. Besides, this model can also predict the 7-day unconfined compressive strength and stiffness of cement-stabilized soil with the optimal water-cement ratios. The cement-stabilized soil with the optimal water-cement ratio can guarantee the uniformity and strength. The proposed model shall be of practical value in dealing with the engineering problems on the selection of water-cement ratio in deep soil mixing construction.