Prediction of Unconfined Compressive Strength and Flexural Strength of Cement-Stabilized Sandy Soils: A Case Study in Vietnam

Abstract

Stabilization of sand by the deep mixing method increases its unconfined compressive strength (UCS) so that it can be used as a foundation for infrastructure. This paper presents research work on physicomechanical properties of soil–cement columns installed in the central area of Vietnam, which consists of sandy clay, fine sand, medium sand, and coarse sand. Two types of cement were mixed with these soils in amounts of 150–350 kg/m3 at a water-cement ratio of 0.6. Approximately 80 soil–cement samples were prepared and cured at standard moist conditions and then tested for unconfined compressive strengths and flexural strengths at 7, 14, 28, and 56 days. The maximum unconfined compressive strength of the soil–cement was 10 MPa after 56-day curing for the coarse sand mixed with 350 kg/m3 cement. The Bayesian Model Averaging and the Principal Component Analysis Methods were used to evaluate the influence of different variables on the UCS of the cement-stabilized soil. The analysis shows that the UCS of the soil–cement depended on the contents of SiO2, SO3, K2O in the soil, the soil grain size, the cement content, and the curing time. The prediction equations allow the determination of unconfined compressive strength and flexural strength of cement-stabilized sand by the wet mixing method used as a ground improvement method for foundations.