Influence of Water-Cement Ratio on the Strength Distribution inside a Soil-Cement Material

Donzala D. Some^{1, 2,} , Ohindemi G. Yameogo³ and Magai N. Thon⁴

¹Department of Civil Engineering and Architectural Design, Saga University, Saga, Japan

²Ministry in charge of infrastructures, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso

³Faculty of Exact and Applied Sciences (UFR-SEA), University Joseph Ki-Zerbo, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso

⁴Department of Civil Engineering, Yokohama National University, Yokohama, Japan

Cite this paper:
Donzala D. Some, Ohindemi G. Yameogo and Magai N. Thon. Influence of Water-Cement Ratio on the Strength Distribution inside a Soil-Cement Material. American Journal of Civil Engineering and Architecture. 2024; 12(2):24-29. doi: 10.12691/ajcea-12-2-1

Abstract

In the domain of soil-cement, especially within the deep mixing method (DMM), various factors influence the strength of cement-stabilized soft soils. These factors include soil candidate consistency parameters, cement content, water-cement ratio (W/C), mixing time, and curing time. Notably, a lower W/C ratio resulted in a higher unconfined compressive strength (q_u). However, in the context of improving soft and cohesive soils through DMM, a W/C ratio of 1.0 has conventionally been recommended due to its favorable resistance. In the case of the Saga lowland, where a soft cohesive soil with high compressibility and low strength is prevalent, the standard practice employs a W/C ratio of 1.0 with a selective amount of cement for different layers, in most projects. This research introduces an innovative approach: utilizing a higher W/C ratio of 1.5 with a cement content of 110 kg/m³, to fulfill the standard strength requirement and above all, to have a well-distributed strength inside the material. This could prevent the lateral displacement of the soil-cement columns. Through laboratory experiments, this paper investigates the effects of increasing W/C on the strength distribution. As result, the comparison between the needle penetration strength (q_unp) /C= 1 and 1.5 showed that the latter represents a slight reduction in strength, but it is more uniformly distributed. This approach is designed to a bolster support for the existing infrastructure in the Saga lowland. The significance of this study in the field of DMM lies in advocating for an increased W/C ratio to ensure not only the quality of the mixture but also, more importantly, the uniformity of strength within the soil-cement columns.

Keywords:
water-cement ratio strength distribution soil-cement material needle penetration index

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. To view a copy of this license, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

References:

[1]	K. Arvind, P. Kotgi, A. Pandurang and B. M. SharanaKumar, "A Study on Soil Reinforced with Deep Mixed Columns," International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology (IRJET), vol. 05, no. 06, pp. 1607-1610, 2018.
[2]	Kitazume, Masaki; Terashi, Masaaki; Tokunaga, Sachihito; Yasuoka, Nobushige, "Design of Deep Mixing Support for Embankments and Levees," in Deep Mixing 2009, Okinawa Symposium, SANWA CO., LTD, 2009, p. 37.
[3]	C. D. I. O. T. J. CDIT, The Deep Mixing Method, Principle, Design and Construction, TOKYO: A. A. BALKEMA PUBLISHERS/LISSE/ABINGDON/EXTON (PA), 2002.
[4]	A. Le Kouby, M. Duc, F. Szymkiewicz and S. Shen, "Impact du type de sol, du dosage en ciment et de la teneur en eau sur les propriétés mécaniques et la porosité des matériaux traités au ciment," in 9emesJournées Nationales de Géotechnique et de Géologie de l’Ingénieur, JNGG, Paris, Champs-sur-Marne, 2018.
[5]	A. A. Egorova, J. Rybak, D. Stefaniuk and P. Zajaczkowski, "Basic asspects of Deep soil Mixing technology Control."
[6]	T. Hino, R. Jia, S. Sueyoshi and T. Harianto, "Effect of environment change on the strength of cement/lime treated clays.," no. 10.1007/s11709-012-0153-y, 2012.
[7]	S. Shrestha, J. Chai, D. T. Bergado, T. Hino and Y. Kamo, "3D FEM investigation on bending failure mechanism of column inclusion under embankment load," Lowland Technology International, vol. 17, no. 3, pp. 157-166, 2015.
[8]	M. Kitazume, "Recent Development and Future Perspectives of Quality Control and Assurance for the Deep Mixing Method," Applied Sciences, MDPI, vol. 11, no. 9155.
[9]	M. Kitazume and M. Terashi, The Deep Mixing Method, London: CRC Press/ A. Balkema, Taylor & Francis Group, 2012.
[10]	D. D. Some, T. Hino, H. Usui and M. J. Sindete, "Physicochemical Evaluation of Soil-Cement by X-Ray Fluorescence: Percentage-Based Data," Modern Civil Engineering, Academic Star Publishing Company, vol. 3, no. 2, pp. 81-89, 2023.
[11]	S.-L. SHEN, X.-C. HUANG, S.-J. DU and J. HAN, "Laboratory Studies on Property Changes in Surrounding Clays Due to Installation of Deep Mixing Columns," Marine Georesources and Geotechnology, vol. 21, p. 15–35, 2003.
[12]	S.-L. Shen, N. Miura and K. Hirofumi, "Interaction mechanism between deep mixing column and surrounding clay during installation," Canadian Geotechnical Journal, 2003.
[13]	S.-L. Shen, J. Han, M. ASCE and Y.-J. Du, "Deep Mixing Induced Property Changes in Surrounding Sensitive Marine Clays," Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering, vol. 134, no. 6, 2008.
[14]	S. Horpibulsk, R. Rachan, A. Suddeepong and A. Chinkulkijniwat, "Strength Development in Cement Admixed Bangkok Clay: Laboratory and Field Investigations.," Soils and Foundations., vol. 51, no. 2, pp. 239-251, April 2011.
[15]	H. Yu, Y. Yi, K. Yao, A. Romangnoli, W. L. Tan and A. B. P. Chang, "Effect of water/cement ratio on properties of cement-stabilized Singapore soft marine clay for wet deep mixing application.," International Journal of Geotechnical Engineering., vol. 15, no. 9, pp. 1198-1205, 2021.
[16]	W. Xiao and K. Taeseo, "New design chart for geotechnical ground improvement:Characterizing cement-stabilized sand," Springer Nature, vol. 15, no. 10.1007/s11440-019-00838-2, pp. 999-1011, 2019.
[17]	C. Pélabon, C. H. Hilde, S. Einum and M. Gamelon, "On the use of the coefficient of variation to quantify and compare trait variation," Society for the Study of Evolution (SSE) and European Society for Evolutionary Biology (ESEB), vol. 4, no. 3, pp. 180-188, 2020.
[18]	A. J. Canchola, S. Tang, P. Hemyari, E. Paxinos and E. Marins, "Correct Use of Percent Coefficient of Variation (%CV) Formula for Log-Transformed Data," MOJ Proteomics & Bioinformatics, vol. 6, no. 4, p. 3, 2017.
[19]	D. H. Tham, "SOME STATISTICAL TECHNIQUES APPLIED TO ENGINEERING MECHANICS PROBLEMS," Vietnam Journal of Science and Technology, vol. 57, no. 6A, pp. 10-20, 2019.
[20]	H. Hanzawa, T. Fukaya, and K. Suzuki, "Evaluation of engineering properties for an Ariake clay," Japanese Society of Soil Mechanics and Foundation Engineering, vol. 30, no. 4, pp. 11-24, 1990.
[21]	M. KHAMEHCHIYAN and Y. IWAO, "Geotechnical properties of Ariake clay in Saga Plain- Japan.," Journal of Geotechnical engineering, Vols. III-29, no. 505, pp. pp.11-18., December 1994.
[22]	Z. Hong, S. Liu and T. Negami, "Strength Sensitivity of Marine Ariake Clays," Taylor & Francis Online, Marine georesources & Geotechnology, vol. 23, no. 3, pp. 221-233, 2005.
[23]	T. Hino, J. Chai, T. Negami, D. Bergado and R. Jia, "Assessment of the Effects of Sea-level Change on the Geoenvironment: the Case of the Ariake Costal Lowland.," in ¬9th International Symposium on Lowland Technology, September 29-October 1, 2014 in Saga, Japan., Saga, 2014.
[24]	R. Ulusay, O. Aydan, Z. A. Erguler, D. J. M. Ngan-Tillard, T. Seiki, W. Verwaal, Y. Sasaki and A. Sato, "ISRM Suggested Method for the Needle Penetration Test," Rock Mech Rock Eng, Springer, vol. 47.
[25]	S. Kahraman, A. S. Aloglu, E. Saygin and B. Aydin, "The effect of clay content on the relation between uniaxial compressive strength and needle penetration index for clay bearing rocks," Geo-Engineering (2021) 12:6, vol. 12, no. 6, p. 16, 2021.
[26]	JGS, "Practice for making and curing stabilized soil specimens without compaction," in Laboratory testing standards of geomaterials Vol.2, Japanese Geotechnical Society, 2009.
[27]	S. Kahraman and I. Ince, "The needle penetration index for estimating the physico-mechanical properties of pyroclastic rocks," The Journal of the Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, vol. 123, no. 9, pp. 463-469, 2023.
[28]	N. Dipova, "Nondestructive Testing of Stabilized Soils and Soft Rocks via Needle Penetration," Periodica Polytechnica Civil Engineering, vol. 62, no. 2, p. 539–544, 2018.
[29]	Á. Rabat, M. Cano, R. Tomás, Á. Tamayo and L. Alejano, "Evaluation of strength and deformability of soft sedimentary rocks in dry and saturated conditions through needle penetration and point load tests: a comparative study," Rock Mech. Rock Eng., Vols.
[30]	U. Naoto, E. Yoshitake, O. Hidehiro and M. Norihiko, "Strength evaluation of deep mixing soil-cement by needle penetration test," Journal of the Japanese Society of Soil Mechanics and Foundation Engineering, vol. 52, no. 7, pp. 23-25, 2004.