Journal Published Online: 02 March 2018
Volume 41, Issue 3

An Experimental Study on Mechanical Behavior of a Calcite Cemented Gravelly Sand

CODEN: GTJODJ

Abstract

In the study presented herein, a simple method for laboratory calcite cementation of a reconstituted gravelly sand was presented. This method was used to prepare cemented gravelly sand specimens, which have similar natural characteristics to alluvial deposit of the city of Tehran. The formation and distribution of calcite bonds, as well as the effectiveness of the presented calcite cementation method in increasing interparticle cohesion, as observed in weakly to moderately cemented soil in Tehran, were evaluated by means of chemical analysis, X-ray diffraction technique, and unconfined compressive strength tests. The cementation technique was used to prepare triaxial specimens with calcite contents ranging from 1.5 to 6 %. Then, a series of monotonic and cyclic undrained triaxial tests was performed to characterize the behavior of calcite-cemented gravelly sand with different calcite contents under different loading conditions. In comparison with the specimens with zero calcite content, the cemented specimens exhibited a distinctly different behavior in terms of static stiffness and strength, cyclic pore pressure generation, and cyclic strength. Results of the monotonic triaxial tests indicated an increased shear strength with an increase in calcite content and confining pressure in the tested soil. Because of the presence of interparticle cohesion, cemented soils behaved less compressive during cyclic loading, and accordingly, the rate of positive pore pressure generation in these specimens was lower during loading with smaller induced plastic deformations.

Author Information

Shakeri, Mohammad Reza
Department of Civil Engineering, Sharif University of Technology, Tehran, Iran
Haeri, S. Mohsen
Department of Civil Engineering, Sharif University of Technology, Tehran, Iran
Shahrabi, M. Mahdi
Department of Civil Engineering, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada
Khosravi, Ali
Department of Civil Engineering, Sharif University of Technology, Tehran, Iran University of California Davis, Davis, CA, USA
Sajadi, Ali Akbar
Institute of Water and Energy, Sharif University of Technology, Tehran, Iran
Pages: 14
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Stock #: GTJ20170095
ISSN: 0149-6115
DOI: 10.1520/GTJ20170095