LABORATORY INVESTIGATIONS ON THE LIME STABILIZATION OF SENSITIVE CLAYS - SHEAR-STRENGTH DEVELOPMENT

A laboratory investigation on the quicklime stabilization of sensitive clays has shown that, even at a water content above the liquid limit, significant strength increase can be obtained if enough time and lime are provided. The understanding of strength development is based on the recognition of physical bridging between soil particles, as in a cementation process. It has been found that the relationship between water content and strength, at a given time, follows a power law that makes possible the establishment of laboratory charts for lime stabilization of such clays. -from Authors