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Soil Treatment with Lime for Fine Clayey Soils: an Economical Solution for
Subgrade, Sub Base, Base & Capping Layers
ABSTRACT: Clayey soils have a poor rating as subgrade for road construction due to the tendency to swell by
absorbing water and to shrink by drying out. However, when lime is mixed into the clayey soil, the soil is not only dried
out, but also modified by flocculation. At this stage, the plasticity index of the soil is highly reduced, and the soil
becomes friable and granular, making it easier to work and compact. Gradual hardening of the mixture, thanks to bonds
formed by pozzolanic reactions between clay and lime will increase the bearing capacity. Compacted clayey soils result
in flexible, permanent structural layers for subgrade, sub base, base & capping layers. Soil treatment with lime is a
proven method to build durable basement materials on the base of fine clayey soils, for all type of roads, highways,
railways, airports …
Keywords:soil treatment, soil stabilization, lime, clayey earthworks, capping layer
< 10-9 m 10-9 - 10-6 m > 10-6 m Table-2Chemical requirements for lime for soil treatment
Homogeneous Colloidal Heterogeneous (according EN 459-1)
solution solution suspension Av.
Constit. CaO
MgO CO2 SO3 lime
% +MgO
(*)
By adding quick lime (calcium oxide) into the soil at
CL 90 ≥ 90 ≤5 ≤4 ≤2 ≥ 80
natural moisture content, soil will dry out due to the
reaction between calcium oxide and water, resulting in CL 80 ≥ 80 ≤5 ≤7 ≤2 ≥ 65
calcium hydroxide (hydrated lime). This is an exothermic (*)Av. lime: available lime. These are minimum
reaction: requirements, because the designer may request higher
values, to optimize the lime consumption for the projects
(1) (see paragraph 4).
Passing on Sieve
[%]
[mm]
5 100
2 ≥ 95
0,2 ≥ 70
0,09 ≥ 50
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the test specimens shall undergo soaking for 4 days at aexothermic reaction caused with water and quicklime can
temperature of (20 2) °C. heat up the soil. Quicklime is excellent for drying wet
soils.
Table-6Californian Bearing Ratio according EN 14227- Hydrated lime, or hydrated lime, can be used for drying
11 clay, but it is not as effective as quicklime. Hydrated lime
particles are very fine, so that dust can be a problem,
CBR after 4 days soaking (or other longer rendering this type of application generally unsuitable for
Class
specified) populated areas. For populated areas, a coarser milled
≥ 15 CBR15 quicklime or lime slurry (mix of lime & water) can
≥ 20 and not less than the immediate bearing index CBR20 become an option.
≥ 30 and not less than the immediate bearing index CBR30
5.3 Mixing
≥40 and not less than the immediate bearing index CBR40
If quicklime is used, it is essential that all particles have
≥50 and not less than the immediate bearing index CBR50
hydrated and well-mixed into the soil. Additional water
Declared value (but not less than 15) CBRDV
may be required during final mixing (prior to
4.4 Volumetric swelling after 4 days soaking compaction) to bring the soil to 3 percent above optimum
Volumetric swelling, determined on fully soaked moisture content of the treated material.
(immersed) CBR specimens in accordance with EN
5.4 Compaction
13286-47 - using water that is continuously aerated - is
Initial compaction is usually performed as soon as
recommended to be below 1%. This information gives us
possible after mixing, using a sheep-foot type roller or a
an idea on how the quantity of lime in the mix-design is
vibratory pad-foot roller. After the section is shaped, final
sufficient to stabilize the clay-particles. In some
compaction can be accomplished using a smooth drum
situations, max. 2% can be allowed, and even higher.
roller or pneumatic roller compactor. The equipment
However, a complementary study should be made,
should be appropriate for the depth of the section being
according to experience at the place of use.
constructed.
In warm weather and when the soil is wet, it is advisable
5. Execution to carry out the compaction 2 to 4 hours after mixing, to
The construction steps involved in soil treatment for road give the unslaked lime ample time to bind with water and
in place mixing are similar for stabilization and evaporate. If risk of rain, the compaction of the soil
modification. Generally, stabilization requires more lime should be done before any water can again penetrate the
and job control than modification. Basic steps include treated layers.
1. preparation of soil,
2. spreading of lime, 5.5 Curing & Protection
3. eventually adding water and mixing, The surface of the subgrade, sub base or base should be
4. compacting to maximum (practical) density, and kept moist until loaded construction equipment can drive
5. curing prior to placing the next layer or wearing over it without rutting formation. Drying time is about 1
course. hour to 1 day, depending on outside temperatures and
quantity of lime, to achieve enough bearing capacity for
5.1 Preparation of the Soil temporary access construction haulage roads, or next
This operation is not always necessary. It may be carried layer of the basement.
out with a ripper, a harrow or a plough. Part of the aim of
ploughing is to remove larger stones or gravel (>10 cm) 6. Control on Site
present in the soil which might harm the mixing unit.
Additionally, it helps to modify the humidity of the soil 6.1 Quantity of Moisture Content in the Soil
by ventilating or moistening it. It is recommended - before starting the working day - to
measure the moisture content of the soil. This gives
5.2 Lime Spreading additional data to the contractor to determine his daily
Lime is supplied pneumatically to the spreader, either lime consumption.
directly from the silo vehicle or by using buffer silos. If moisture is above optimum moisture content, quick
Lime is dispersed using a spreader fitted with a weighing lime shall be used. If moisture content is below optimum
device. This operation should be carried out with a moisture content, hydrated lime, eventually by adding
maximum of precision and regularity. The type of lime additional water will be used.
dispersed, quick lime or hydrated lime, should be based
on multiple considerations, such as contractor experience, 6.2 Quantity of Lime Dispersed by Spreader
equipment availability, and soil moisture. It is recommended to execute every day a quality control
Quicklime, or calcium oxide, is a more concentrated form on the quantity of lime dispersed by the spreader. This
of lime than hydrated lime, containing 20 to 24 percent quantity of lime can easily be measured by a weigh-
more “available” lime oxide content. Thus, about 3 balance & using a metal plate of 0,5 m x 0,5 m, on which
percent quicklime is equivalent to 4 percent hydrated the lime falls by passing over by the spreader.
lime when conditions allow full hydration of the
quicklime with enough moisture. Quicklime has also a 6.3 Static Plate Load Test on Compacted Soil
greater bulk density, requiring smaller storage facilities. To control the quality of executed compaction, a static
The construction season may be extended because the plate load test is an easy and quick method to have an
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idea about the bearing capacity of the compacted layer in Transport to landfill site 6.00
situ.
The plate load test – plate of approx. 200 cm² - is used to Tax landfill (1,7 T/m3 x 6€/T) 10.20
measure the deflection or deformation modulus (in USA: Purchase aggregates (2 T/m3 x 6€/T) 12.00
modulus of subgrade reaction) of compacted soil in situ.
The vertical load on the plate is applied in steps through a Transport aggregates to yard (7€/T x 2T) 14.00
hydraulic jack and a counterweight. The resulting surface Grading and Compacting aggregates 2.00
deflection or penetration of the plate is read after
stabilization at three points spread over 120° from a fixed TOTAL 46.20
frame. The average deflection is calculated and this
Soil Treatment with Lime
allows the determination of the deflection or deformation
modulus. €/m3
The requested performances depend on the application
(subgrade, sub base, base) and are in function of the Excavation of Soil 2.00
compaction of soil-lime mixtures. However, similar Transport Soil to Embankment 2.00
values as compacted quarry aggregates can be achieved
with lime treatment. An example of procedures Disposal of Soil in Embankment 0.50
concerning the static plate load test can be found in Purchase lime (3%x1,7T/m3 x 120€/T) 6.12
AASHTO T 222 and ASTM D 1196.
Mixing and Spreading 2.50
7. Economical Solution Grading and Compacting Soil 2.00
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