Effects of Variation in Compaction Water Content on Geotechnical Properties of Lime-treated Clayey Soil

The note presents the results of an experimental research study on the behaviour of a clayey soil of high plasticity treated with 3% quicklime for the stabilization of the foundation soil of a plant to be constructed along a slope. The aim of the study is to investigate the effect of a wide range of water content and of curing time on the mechanical and hydraulic characteristics of the treated soil. Soil-lime samples were prepared by wet mixing and Standard Proctor compaction. The development of chemical reactions in the compacted soil-lime mixtures were monitored by measuring the pH values of the soaking water with curing time. In the long term, a reduction of three orders of magnitude in permeability values was observed by comparing optimum and 5% wet of optimum conditions. Also compressibility was affected by variations in the compaction water content. The shear strength was not significantly affected by water content varying in the considered range.