Relationship between Resilient Modulus and Unconfined Compressive Strength for Lime-Stabilized Soils

Abstract

This technical note assesses the widely accepted Thompson’s equation used to approximate design resilient modulus (Mr) for lime-stabilized soils from the results of unconfined compressive strength (qu) testing. There is limited evidence in the literature to support Thompson’s equation relating qu and Mr for lime-stabilized soils, and other studies have suggested that the relationship provides an excessively conservative approximation for design Mr, specifically above qu=1,000 kPa. Laboratory Mr and qu testing was performed on multiple specimens of three lime-stabilized soils. These data reveal that Thompson’s equation provides a lower-bound estimate of Mr from qu and that Little’s recommended relationship provides a more reasonable match to the data. This study also illustrated a lack of a clear correlation between Mr and qu.