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Soils and Foundations 2014;54(4):687–698

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Soils and Foundations

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Peak and residual strength characteristics of cement-treated soil cured under


different consolidation conditions
Motoyuki Suzukia,n, Tetsuo Fujimotob, Takeshi Taguchic
a
Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Yamaguchi University, Japan
b
Eight-Japan Engineering Consultants Inc., Japan
c
University Research Administrator Office, Yamaguchi University, Japan
Received 9 April 2013; received in revised form 6 March 2014; accepted 23 March 2014
Available online 6 August 2014

Abstract

The shear strength of cement-treated soil can be changed by both cementation and consolidation during the early stages of hardening because
of cement hydration. Based on the results of triaxial and unconfined compression tests, this paper describes the effects of isotropic and one-
dimensional consolidation stress, applied during the curing period, on the undrained peak and residual shear strengths of cement-treated soil. The
sample used was a mixture of fine-grained sand and ordinary Portland cement. A consolidated undrained triaxial compression test (ICU) was
conducted on the specimens immediately after the cement treatment. Each test was conducted under different consolidation pressures, curing
times and delayed loading times. The following conclusions were developed from the results and discussions: (1) the undrained peak shear
strength of cement-treated soil, cured under different consolidation conditions, increases with an increase in either the consolidation pressure or
the curing time, whereas it gradually decreases with an increase in the delayed loading time. (2) The rate of undrained strength increase resulting
from consolidation differs significantly between isotropic and one-dimensional consolidations. (3) For a curing time of between one and seven
days, the rate of strength increase by isotropic consolidation exceeds that by one-dimensional consolidation. The simultaneous volumetric change
of cement-treated soil during consolidation depends on the stress conditions of the specimen, that is, the difference between isotropic and one-
dimensional consolidations. (4) When the test is not conducted under nearly in-situ conditions, the undrained shear strength may be
underestimated, depending on the time interval between the cement treatment and the start of consolidation. (5) The shear strength in the residual
state is influenced by the consolidation pressure during curing. (6) As the consolidation pressure during curing increases, the specimens exhibit a
higher residual strength.
& 2014 The Japanese Geotechnical Society. Production and hosting by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Keywords: Cementation; Curing; Isotropic consolidation; One-dimensional consolidation; Undrained peak strength; Undrained residual strength

1. Introduction consolidation in stabilised soils, which may occur with cement


hydration and the pozzolanic reaction of “cementation”, is not
Soil that has been improved with a cement-based stabilising commonly understood and is not entirely reflected in the
material (a stabiliser) quickly achieves high strength. The ground improvement technique design codes. However,
soil elements are subjected to confining pressures from the
n
Corresponding author.
surrounding soil, even in cement-treated ground. The con-
E-mail address: msuzuki@yamaguchi-u.ac.jp (M. Suzuki). solidation can occur during the initial stage of construction
Peer review under responsibility of The Japanese Geotechnical Society. before the cement hydration begins; the influence of the

http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.sandf.2014.06.023
0038-0806/& 2014 The Japanese Geotechnical Society. Production and hosting by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
688 M. Suzuki et al. / Soils and Foundations 54 (2014) 687–698

confining pressures imposed in-situ, after construction, on the soil is usually cured under one-dimensional consolidated
strength of the stabilised soil has been investigated using conditions, but conventional studies do not always clarify
triaxal and unconfined compression tests. Previous research how the differences between one-dimensional and isotropic
has experimentally demonstrated that the undrained and consolidated conditions influence the consolidation behaviour
drained shear strengths increased because of the consolidation and subsequent undrained strength of cement-treated clay. The
(Kobayashi and Tatsuoka, 1982b; Consoli et al., 2000, 2006; variations in the undrained strength of cement-treated clay
Yamamoto et al., 2002a, 2002b; Åhnberg, 2007; Dalla Rosa cured under different consolidation conditions have not yet
et al., 2008; and others). Kobayashi and Tatsuoka (1982a, been clarified.
1982b) examined the undrained shear strength characteristics In addition, in a study employing an unconfined compres-
of cement-treated soil samples when confining pressure was sion test, the overburden pressure was temporarily removed in
applied during the curing period. They found that the speci- the transition from the consolidation process to the shearing
mens cured with stress under drained conditions have a much process (Yamamoto et al., 2002a, 2002b). In other previous
higher strength than those cured under either undrained or studies, a soil sample was left at atmospheric pressure or under
atmospheric pressure conditions. We also examined the water for several hours or several days after cement treatment
unconfined compressive strength of cement-treated soil cured before it was exposed to confining pressure. It is necessary
under one-dimensional consolidation, using consolidation and to consider that the cementation was in progress with no
curing equipment; a split mould was used as the consolidation confining pressure applied. We therefore investigated the
vessel (Yamamoto et al., 2002a, 2002b). It was clarified that changes in the unconfined compression strength when the
the unconfined compressive strength increases significantly when loading of overburden pressure on the cement-treated soil was
an overburden pressure is applied to the cement-treated soil sample. delayed, using identical mould-type consolidated curing equip-
An increase in the specimen density resulting from consolidation ment as used in the present study (Suzuki et al., 2005). We
was observed during the initial material aging, before hardening found that the consolidation settlement and unconfined com-
from cementation started. The following is a summary of the pressive strength gradually decreased with an increase in the
results from the previous studies. Because of the synergetic effect delayed loading of overburden pressure. In particular, the
of consolidation with cementation, the long-term strength and strength gradually approached the values observed from
deformation characteristics differ strikingly from those obtained curing under atmospheric pressure. This suggests that the
by curing under atmospheric pressure. Cement-treated soil being curing time during the cementation process may cause the
drained and cured under stress exhibits an increase in shear shear strength of cement-treated soil to be underestimated.
strength because of both the densification of the specimen through However, it remains unclear whether the delayed loading
consolidation and the development of cementation through cement time similarly affects the shear strength exhibited under
hydration and the pozzolanic reaction. Jongpradist et al. (2011) confining pressure in the triaxial compression test. Previous
revealed that the vertical stress applied during the development of studies using unconfined compression tests mainly focused on
cementation changed the after-curing void ratio of cement-mixed evaluating the peak undrained strength; the influences of
clay and caused an increase of vertical yield stress. On the other consolidation stress on the residual undrained strength during
hand, Taheri and Tatsuoka (2012), Taheri et al. (2012) examined the curing period were not sufficiently examined, although
the effect of unloading and reloading on the stress–strain relation- such an examination is necessary to study the brittle failure of
ship in the multiple-step triaxial test on cement-mixed gravely soil. stiff materials.
They showed that the reloading stress–strain relationship becomes Based on the above, we implemented a series of unconfined
softer according to additional damage due to the negative compression tests on one-dimensionally consolidated cement-
irreversible shear-strain increment occurring in the previous treated soil samples and a series of consolidated undrained
unloading process. Also, they developed a method for expressing triaxial tests on isotropically consolidated cement-treated soil
the unique stress–strain relationship. Deng et al. (2012) clarified the samples. We subsequently examined the following points
effect of wetting and ageing on the behaviour of cement-mixed based on the test results: (1) the influence of the differences
kaolin that was partially or fully saturated in the intermediate in consolidation conditions during the curing process on the
stress level during 1D compression, and successfully simulated consolidation and undrained shear characteristics of cement-
the complicated behaviour of clay using their modified non-linear treated soil during cementation, (2) the consolidation and
three-component elasto-viscoplastic model. From these recent undrained shear behaviours of cement-treated soil when the
studies, the influence of the stress change and history of compres- application of isotropic consolidation stress is delayed in the
sion (shear) processes on the stress–strain relationship of triaxial test, and (3) the effect of consolidation stress during the
cement-treated soil can be elucidated, and the behaviour can be curing process on the residual shear strength of the cement-
simulated by taking into account the ageing effect and viscosity treated soil. These test results and discussions are presented in
property. the following sections.
There were several unexplained problems in these previous It should be noted that the in-situ stress condition (K0
studies. Because specimens used for the shear test were not consolidation and the resulting shearing) of a soil element under
continuously cured under stress from the beginning, the stress the ground could not be reproduced in the unconfined compres-
and deformation conditions of these specimens differed from sion test on the one-dimensional consolidated specimen or the
those prepared under in-situ conditions. In-situ cement-treated triaxial compression test on the isotropically consolidated
M. Suzuki et al. / Soils and Foundations 54 (2014) 687–698 689

specimen used in this study. Therefore, it is clearly stated that this under water after being cement-treated, as in path OACD' in Fig. 1.
study aimed to clarify the influence of consolidation conditions The effect of delayed loading time was neglected. In the triaxial
(one-dimensional and isotropic consolidations) on the undrained compression test conducted in the present study, we sought to
shear strength of cement-treated soil. obtain the undrained shear strength of cement-treated soil that was
cured and consolidated immediately after cement treatment, as in
path OCD' in Fig. 1.
2. Changes in the stress state of cement-treated soil in Fig. 2(a) and (b) schematically shows the stress conditions
laboratory testing during the consolidation of the specimens in the unconfined
compression test and triaxial compression test (see Fig. 2(a)),
Fig. 1 illustrates the changes over time in the vertical stress, σv, along with Mohr's stress circles for the specimens in the
that acts on the specimen immediately after hardening in laboratory consolidation and shearing processes (see Fig. 2(b)). In the
testing. This figure was derived from the figure originally presented consolidation process, the stress state of the specimen used for
by Kobayashi and Tatsuoka (1982a). Because in-situ soil elements unconfined compression tests is represented by a stress circle
are stirred and mixed under in-situ conditions during construction, with a diameter of (σc, 0) and (K0σc, 0), whereas the stress state
the effective stress can be assumed to initially be zero and then to of the specimen used for the triaxial compression test is
increase to the total vertical stress, σv, as consolidation progresses. represented by a point at (σc, 0). K0 and σc represent the
In the unconfined compression test, the curing time after cement- coefficient of earth pressure at rest and consolidation pressure,
treatment, Tc, elapses as indicated by the path OABD in Fig. 1, but respectively. The confining pressure on the specimen during
σv scarcely acts on the specimen, and the in-situ stress condition the unconfined compression test is temporarily removed before
is not reproduced by the path. Yamamoto et al. (2002a, 2002b) the shearing process, so its Mohr's stress circle passes through
conducted an unconfined compression test on a cement-treated soil the origin. The triaxial compression test specimen transitions to
sample that was cured while being consolidated one-dimensionally the shearing process while maintaining identical stress as in the
using the mould-type consolidated curing equipment. Their results consolidation process, so its Mohr's stress circle passes through
demonstrated that the settlement strain, εv, the unconfined com- (σc, 0). We note that the ratio of undrained shear strength, Su,
pressive strength, qu, and the deformation modulus, E50, of the increases because of consolidation, ΔSu/ΔP, is determined as a
specimen all increase significantly with an increase in σv. In this gradient of straight-line approximation in the relationship
test, however, the overburden pressure was released when the between the consolidation pressure and the undrained strength
specimen was removed from the mould after curing for a specified (corresponding to the radius of Mohr's stress circle at failure).
period, as indicated by the path OCBD in Fig. 1; thus, there was no Here, P is equivalent to the consolidation pressure. In this
transition to the undrained shear state while the confining pressures study, we will discuss how ΔSu/ΔP differs between the
were maintained during consolidation. To solve this problem, we isotropic consolidation and the one-dimensional consolidation.
cured the specimen immediately after cement treatment, while
subjecting it to isotropic consolidation using a triaxial compression 3. Test procedure
test apparatus, and then we subjected it to an undrained shear test.
In conventional triaxial compression tests (e.g., Kobayashi and 3.1. Soil sample and cementing agent
Tatsuoka (1982b)), the cement-treated soil sample was consoli-
dated after standing for a certain period (the delayed loading time, The soil sample used in this study was a mixture of fine-
ΔT, represented by segment OA) under atmospheric pressure or grained sand and gravel collected in Yamaguchi City, Yama-
guchi Prefecture. The physical properties of the sample were as
follows: soil particle density ρs ¼ 2.693 g/cm3, maximum grain
OABD :Conventional unconfined compression test size Dmax ¼ 4.75 mm, natural water content wn ¼ 16.3%, fine
fraction content Fc ¼ 18.9%, maximum void ratio emax ¼ 1.308
OACD’ :Conventional triaxial compression test on specimen cured
under stress (e.g., Kobayashi & Tatsuoka(1982a, 1982b)) D’
OCBD :Unconfined compression test on specimen cured under
stress (Yamamoto et al.(2002a, 2002b)) and minimum void ratio emin ¼ 0.697. The cementing agent
OCD’ :Triaxial compression test on specimen cured under stress At failure
used was ordinary Portland cement (OPC). The cementing
Vertical stress, σv

(Consoli et al.(2000), this study)


Triaxial compression test agent content, Qc, was set to a constant 50 kg/m3. The
D
procedure used to mix the soil sample with the cementing
σv
C agent complied with the preparation method for unconsoli-
dated samples of stabilised soil (JGS0821-2009), and the
cementing agent was added in the form of a slurry (water/
Unconfined compression test cement ratio ¼ 160%). The initial water content of the cement-
O A B treated soil, w0, was 20.7%, and no separation of materials was
Cement-treatment
detected during the specimen preparation.
Delayed loading time, ΔT
Curing time, Tc Process of
compression
3.2. Consolidated undrained triaxial compression test
Elapsed time, t

Fig. 1. Changes in stress state of cement-treated soil cured in laboratory testing For this test we used a conventional triaxial compression test
(after Kobayashi and Tatsuoka, 1982a). apparatus with a hydraulic control system that complied with the
690 M. Suzuki et al. / Soils and Foundations 54 (2014) 687–698

One-dimensional Isotropic
consoildation consoildation
v (= c c

K0 v K0 v c c

v (= c c

Mold –type consolidation Triaxial compression


curing equipment test equipment

Fig. 2. (a) Stress condition during consolidation of specimens used in unconfined and triaxial compression tests. (b) Mohr's stress circles for specimens in
consolidation and shearing process (schematic diagram).

Table 1
Test cases and results in triaxial compression test.

Test Content of Initial Process of isotropic consolidation Process of shearing


no. cementing water
agent Qc content w0
(kg/m3) (%) Curing Delayed Isotropic Confining Ultimate Peak Axial strain (at Residual Water content
time Tc loading time consolidation pressure σr0 volumetric strength peak strength) strength after shearing
(day) ΔT (min) pressure σc (kPa) strain εvT n (%) qmax εf (%) qres (kPa) ws (%)
(kPa) (kPa)

1‐1 50 20.7 1 0 49 49 0.87 840 4.86 749 20.1


1-2 98 98 1.29 1013 3.61 832 18.6
1-3 147 147 1.88 1106 6.41 1079 18.3
1-4 3 0 49 49 0.88 1059 2.21 983 20.0
1-5 98 98 1.32 1324 2.53 1146 18.6
1-6 147 147 1.85 1662 2.74 1429 18.8
1-7 60 147 147 1.29 1401 2.82 1208 19.2
1-8 120 0.85 1280 2.89 1011 19.3
1-9 240 0.25 1221 3.18 1057 20.1
1-10 7 0 49 49 0.82 1318 0.81 1027 19.9
1-11 98 98 1.38 1584 1.12 1239 19.0
1-12 147 147 1.87 2111 1.02 1777 18.8
M. Suzuki et al. / Soils and Foundations 54 (2014) 687–698 691

requirements for the consolidated undrained triaxial compression on this test method, refer to Yamamoto et al. (2002a, 2002b). The
test method for soil (JGS0522-2009). Saturation of the sample unconfined compression test was conducted under constant-
was limited to the application of back pressure (uBP ¼ 49 kPa) to temperature and constant-humidity conditions (temperature of
minimise the time prior to starting the consolidation of the 20 1C and relative humidity of 95%). The suction of the specimen
specimen. The elapsed time from the start of cement treatment to was not measured during the unconfined compression test, since it
the start of consolidation was set to a constant 50 min. The test is assumed that the influence of the suction is very small in cement-
procedures were as follows: (i) stir and mix the soil sample and treated soil with high strength.
OPC into a slurry with de-aired water for 10 min using a Hobart
mixer. (ii) Place the cement-treated soil into the split mould 3.4. Test cases and results
(diameter of 50 mm and height of 100 mm). Then, remove the air
bubbles by tapping the mould. (iii) Smooth the top surface of the Table 1 summarises the test cases and test results for the triaxial
specimen with a straight edge. The time prior to specimen compression tests. Table 2 summarises the test cases and test
consolidation is strictly limited, so the end surfaces of the specimen results for the unconfined compression tests. To examine the
are not capped with gypsum. (iv) Remove the specimen from the influence of consolidation pressure (the isotropic consolidation
mould, place it on a pedestal in the triaxial cell and assemble the pressure, σc, in the triaxial compression test and the overburden
triaxial cell chamber (a self-standing specimen is prepared for this pressure, σv, in the unconfined compression test), we set σc and σv
test). (v) Begin consolidation by loading the confining and back to values of 49, 98 and 147 kPa, the delayed loading time to 0 min
pressures to achieve the specified consolidation pressure. Single and the curing time to 1, 3 and 7 days. To examine the effect of
drainage from the top only is selected. (vi) After consolidating and delayed loading time, we set the time to 0, 60, 120 and 240 min, σc
curing for the time specified in Table 1, start shearing at an axial and σv to a value of 147 kPa and the curing time to 3 days. In the
strain rate of 0.05%/min under the undrained condition. This test tables, ws denotes the water content of the specimen after it was
uses an external displacement gauge to measure the axial strain. subjected to shearing in the triaxial compression test; wc and ρtc
Shearing is ended when the axial strain exceeds the maximum denote the water content and wet density of the specimen,
deviator stress by 3%. A clear slip line appeared on the specimen respectively, after being subjected to consolidation in the uncon-
when the test was terminated. fined compression test.

3.3. Unconfined compression test 4. Test results and discussion

As described above, a specimen of cement-treated soil was 4.1. One-dimensional and isotropic consolidation behaviours
cured while being consolidated one-dimensionally using the of cement-treated soil
mould-type consolidation curing equipment that the authors
developed. After the specified consolidation, a series of unconfined We examined the influence of variations in the consolidated
compression tests was conducted on the specimen. The specimen conditions during curing on the consolidation characteristics.
had a diameter of 50 mm and a height of 100 mm; shearing was Fig. 3 shows the changes with time in the volumetric strains,
conducted at an axial strain rate of 1.0%/min. For additional details εvU and εvT, during consolidation with different values of

Table 2
Test cases and results in unconfined compression test

Test Content of Initial Process of one-dimensuinal consolidation Process of shearing


no. cementing agent water
Qc (kg/m3) content w0
(%) Curing Delayed Overburden Ultimate Water content Wet density after Unconfined Axial strain
Time Tc loading time Pressure σv volumetric after consolidation ρtc compressive at failure εf
(day) ΔT (min) (kPa) strain εvU n (%) consolidation wc (g/cm3) Strength qu (kPa) (%)
(%)

2-1 50 20.7 1 0 49 0.50 18.7 2.04 484 1.4


2-2 98 1.00 18.3 2.07 553 1.1
2-3 147 1.34 17.9 2.06 643 0.9
2-4 3 0 0 – 19.0 2.03 810 1.0
2-5 49 0.47 19.1 2.03 802 0.8
2-6 98 1.00 18.5 2.05 965 0.8
2-7 147 1.30 18.1 2.06 1050 1.0
2-8 60 147 0.44 18.7 2.03 812 1.1
2-9 120 0.28 18.9 2.04 815 1.3
2-10 240 0.24 19.4 2.03 795 1.0
2-11 7 0 49 0.52 18.8 2.06 971 0.8
2-12 98 1.00 18.2 2.10 1197 1.0
2-13 147 1.26 18.1 2.07 1337 1.0
692 M. Suzuki et al. / Soils and Foundations 54 (2014) 687–698

Fig. 3. Typical relationships between volumetric strain and consolidation time in process of one-dimensional and isotropic consolidations or cement-treated soil.

Fig. 4. Relationships between ultimate volumetric strain and curing time for one-dimensionally and isotropically consolidated cement-treated soil.

overburden pressure and isotropic consolidation pressure. imposed on the specimen, and there was no additional
Here, the subscripts of ε, “U” and “T”, represent one- consolidation pressure after the consolidation. Fig. 3 indicates
dimensional and isotropic consolidations for specimens, that the volumetric strain increases with time, regardless of the
respectively, received in the consolidation process before each consolidation pressure, and becomes constant at approximately
shear test. The values of εvU and εvT are ratios of the quotients t¼ 100 min for one-dimensional consolidation and within a
obtained by dividing volumetric change generated during range of t¼ 200–2000 min for isotropic consolidation. This
consolidation, ΔV, by the volume of the specimen in the variance is a result of the difference in the drainage distance
initial stage, V0. The values of εvU, εvT, and ΔV are positive between the specimens. The volumetric strain tends to increase
when the pore water was drained from the specimen and the with increased consolidation pressure, regardless of the stress
specimen contracts. The test conditions are loading delay conditions. The volumetric strain in isotropic consolidation
ΔT ¼ 0 min and curing time Tc ¼ 3 days. The specimen exceeds the strain during one-dimensional consolidation. The
drainage distance for one-dimensional consolidation was results of this experiment are as expected because of the
6.5 cm (the initial height of the mould was 13 cm under difference in the mean consolidation stress. However, it still
double drainage), whereas the specimen drainage distance for remains unclear that the volumetric change difference between
isotropic consolidation was 10 cm (the initial height of the the one-dimensional and isotropic consolidations of cement-
specimen in the triaxial cell was 10 cm under the single treated soil is the same as that in untreated soil. The
drainage condition). The consolidation pressure was instantly cementation was continuously developing and was always
M. Suzuki et al. / Soils and Foundations 54 (2014) 687–698 693

working to retard the dehydration caused by consolidation in


the cement-treated soil. It is unclear to what extent the
subsequent undrained strength is changed by this volumetric
change. Fig. 4 shows the relationships between the ultimate
volumetric strain, εvU n , εvT n , and the curing time. The
volumetric change caused by consolidation becomes approxi-
mately constant between 100 and 2000 min, and both ultimate
volumetric strains become approximately constant under
identical consolidation pressure, even with an increasing Tc,
as described above. It is confirmed that the results for a
specimen cured under the isotropic consolidation condition are
consistent with those for a specimen cured under the one-
diensional consolidation condition (Yamamoto et al., 2002b).
Concrete engineering test results indicated that consolidation
behaviour was observed and the consolidation theory can be
generally applied to fresh mortar and concrete (Sakamoto
et al., 2008). Even in cement-treated soil, consolidation can
occur in the early stages of the curing period. Therefore, the
influence of density change at an early material age remains
after the curing time has elapsed, regardless of the stress
condition of the specimen in the consolidation process.

4.2. Shear strength characteristics of cement-treated soil


samples cured under different consolidation conditions

We investigated the influence of varied consolidation


conditions on shear strength characteristics. Fig. 5(a)–(c)
shows the results of unconfined compression and triaxial
compression tests for different curing times, Tc. The vertical
axis of the graph represents the deviator stress, q, and the
horizontal axis represents the axial strain, εa. In these figures,
σr0 is the confining pressure, σc is the isotropic consolidation
pressure for the triaxial compression test and σv is the
overburden pressure for the unconfined compression test. For
Tc ¼ 1 day in Fig. 5(a), q in triaxial compression increases
rapidly, then gradually, with increasing εa. Finally, q decreases
slightly after passing the peak strength, qmax. By contrast, q in
unconfined compression reaches qmax at approximately
εa ¼ 1% and then decreases. The value of qmax becomes larger
with increasing consolidation pressure in both the unconfined
and triaxial compression tests. This tendency is consistent with
that previously reported by Kobayashi and Tatsuoka (1982b).
Furthermore, qmax is generally larger in the triaxial compres-
sion test than in the unconfined compression test. This can be
explained by the differences in the values of confining stress
on the specimens during the consolidation process. The axial
strain at failure, εf, is greater in the triaxial compression test
than in the unconfined compression test, but strain softening is
more significant in the unconfined compression test. This may
be explained by the presence or absence of confining pressure
in the shearing process. In general, the initial rigidity, i.e., the
initial tangent gradient of the q–εa curve below 0.5% of axial
strain, is greater in the triaxial compression test than in the Fig. 5. Unconfined and triaxial compression behaviours of cement-treated soil
unconfined compression test. For Tc ¼ 3 and 7 days (shown in cured under different curing times.
Fig. 5(b) and (c)), the q–εa curve exhibits significant vulner- tests. By contrast, the q–εa curve exhibits clear differences in
ability with increasing Tc, whereas the initial rigidity is high the consolidation pressure, irrespective of the curing time. For
and εf is small in both the unconfined and triaxial compression Tc ¼ 7 days, qmax in the triaxial compression test increases from
694 M. Suzuki et al. / Soils and Foundations 54 (2014) 687–698

1.3 MPa to 2.1 MPa, and in the unconfined compression test, compression is denoted by SuT, and that in the unconfined
qmax increases from 1.0 MPa to 1.3 MPa, whereas the con- compression test is denoted by SuU ( ¼ qu/2). The ratio of
solidation pressure increases from 49 kPa to 147 kPa. strength increase in the triaxial compression test, ΔSuT/
ΔP ¼ 1.36, exceeds that in the unconfined compression test,
ΔSuU/ΔP ¼ 0.81. This tendency is similar to that for Tc ¼ 3 and
4.3. Strength characteristics with consolidation under 7 days depicted in Fig. 6(b) and (c). The rate of strength
different consolidation conditions increase caused by one-dimensional consolidation is different
from that caused by isotropic consolidation. This is caused by
Fig. 6(a)–(c) depicts Mohr's total stress circles at the time of the difference in void ratio affected by the mean consolidation
failure in the triaxial compression test and in the unconfined stress.
compression test. These figures were prepared for various Fig. 7 plots the relationship between ΔSuT/ΔP, ΔSuU/ΔP
curing times. The ratio of shear strength increase caused by and Tc. The ratio of shear strength increase obtained from both
consolidation was estimated from the relationship between the the unconfined compression and triaxial compression tests
consolidating pressure and the undrained peak shear strength. tends to increase with increasing curing time. As shown in
Here, the undrained peak shear strength in the triaxial Fig. 4, the volumetric change in the consolidation process is

Fig. 6. Mohr's total stress circles at the time of failure in the triaxial compression test and unconfined compression tests.
M. Suzuki et al. / Soils and Foundations 54 (2014) 687–698 695

Fig. 7. Change in increase rate of undrained shear strength due to consolidation with the lapse of curing time.

Fig. 8. Comparison between undrained shear strengths obtained from triaxial Fig. 9. Comparison between ultimate volumetric strains resulting from
and unconfined compression tests. isotropic and one-dimensional consolidations.

approximately constant, regardless of the curing time. This 4.4. Influence of differences in stress conditions on peak
indicates that the void ratio of the specimen before shearing is strength of specimens in consolidation
constant, regardless of the curing time, and hence the change
in the ratio of shear strength increase is not caused by the We investigated the influence of the consolidation stress
increase in density because of consolidation, but by the condition acting on specimens with regard to the specimens's
development of cementation with curing time. The excess undrained peak shear strength. Although Ghee et al. (2004)
pore water pressure in the consolidation process may not be reported that there was a clear difference in drained strength
fully dissipated and may still be present before shearing. In this between isotropically and anisotropically consolidated cement-
case, the initial value of effective confining pressure can be treated clay, the undrained strength and the volumetric change
less than the prescribed value. The residual excess pore water of cement-treated clay cured under different consolidation
pressure is important in determining the strength parameters in conditions have not been investigated yet. Fig. 8 depicts the
terms of effective stress, but it does not change the void ratio relationship between the undrained peak shear strengths in the
of the specimen and will not affect the undrained strength. triaxial compression test, SuT, and the unconfined compression
696 M. Suzuki et al. / Soils and Foundations 54 (2014) 687–698

test, SuU. The values of SuT and SuU are proportional with a
gradient of 1.51. The undrained shear strength of cement-
treated soil differs depending on the consolidation conditions
during curing. To explore the cause, we examined the
difference between the volumetric strains in one-dimensional
and isotropic consolidations. Fig. 9 illustrates the relationship
between the ultimate volumetric strains in isotropic consolida-
tion, εvT n , and one-dimensional consolidation, εvU n . A linear
relationship was recognised between these data, except for
some scattered data. Fig. 9 also shows that the ultimate
volumetric strain in isotropic consolidation is approximately
1.5 times that in one-dimensional consolidation. The gradients
of the linear relationships were compatible with respect to the
strength and the density of the specimen. These results suggest
that the difference in stress conditions during consolidation
has an identical level of influence on both the amount of
consolidation and the undrained shear strength.
There appears to be a linear correlation between the Fig. 10. Change of ultimate volumetric strain with the lapse of delayed loading
undrained strengths divided by the ultimate volumetric strain time under isotropic and one-dimensional consolidations.
in the one-dimensional and isotropic consolidations. However,
we could not determine the significance of this correlation for
engineering purposes. We cannot directly calculate the
undrained strength obtained from the triaxial test using the volumetric strain decreases with increases in the delayed
correlation based on the results of the unconfined compression loading time. Furthermore, qmax decreases with increases in
test. The undrained shear strength of cement-treated soil cured ΔT and gradually approaches the peak strength value of a
with stress results from two factors; the densification of the cement-treated soil specimen cured under atmospheric pres-
specimen because of consolidation and the cement bonding sure, in which no volumetric change occurs. These results
because of cement hydration. It is necessary to remove the suggest that the undrained shear strength does not increase,
strength increase caused by the cement bonding from the even in isotropic consolidation, if the time before the applica-
undrained shear strength. However, it remains difficult to tion of confining pressure is prolonged. If the time after
evaluate the factors individually. hardening, but before the application of consolidation pressure,
is prolonged, a specimen's density does not increase, even if
4.5. Influence of delayed loading time on peak strength consolidation pressure is applied to it, and there is no
subsequent increase in undrained shear strength. In this case,
We examined the influence of delayed loading time, ΔT, on it is highly probable that the undrained shear strength of the
the undrained peak shear strength. The delayed loading time cement-treated soil can be underestimated.
can be defined as the exposure time prior to the application of
confining pressure to the cement-treated soil; during this time 4.6. Influence of consolidation stress on residual strength
cementation develops in the cement-treated soil. Yamamoto during curing
et al. (2002b) clarified that the consolidation settlement caused
by overburden pressure decreased with increases in the delayed The peak strength cannot be simultaneously and equally
loading time during the one-dimensional consolidation; the mobilised along a slip surface; progressive failure should be
unconfined compression strength, qu, also decreased during an considered in the stability of such stiff ground. Therefore, for
unconfined pressure test. However, it remains unclear whether safety's sake, the residual strength is more important than the
this tendency is valid under isotropic consolidation in the peak strength. Fig. 12 depicts the relationship between the
triaxial compression test. The confining pressure applied to the residual strength, qres, and the confining pressure, σr0. To
specimen after cementation has developed does not cause any evaluate the strength after strain softening observed in a
significant change in density of the cement-treated soil speci- cement-treated soil specimen, we defined qres as the value of
men and therefore does not contribute to any increase in the deviator stress when the shear test is terminated. As
strength. If the confining pressure is immediately applied on observed in Fig. 5, a qres corresponding to approximately
the specimen after cement treatment, the subsequent shear 80% of qmax remains after the undrained shearing is finished
strength can be estimated appropriately. in the triaxial compression test. For each value of Tc, qres
Fig. 10 depicts the relationship between the ultimate predictably increases with increases in σr0. By contrast, qres
volumetric strains, εvT n and εvU n , and ΔT during the con- generally increases with increases in Tc, regardless of the
solidation process. Fig. 11(a) and (b) shows the relationships magnitude of σr0. From this finding, we conclude that
between the deviator stress and axial strain curves and the peak consolidation during curing also influences the shear strength
strength, qmax, and ΔT for different values of ΔT. The ultimate in the residual state. No clear differences in consolidation
M. Suzuki et al. / Soils and Foundations 54 (2014) 687–698 697

Fig. 11. (a) Unconfined and triaxial compression behaviours of cement-treated soil under different delayed loading times. (b) Relationships between peak strength
and delayed loading time.

pressure were observed during curing in q in the residual state rate of strength increase in isotropic consolidation exceeds
in the unconfined compression behaviour shown in Fig. 5 that observed in one-dimensional consolidation.
because there was no confining pressure in the test. A certain (2) The volumetric change of cement-treated soil during
level of shear strength remains when there is confining consolidation depends on the stress condition of the
pressure, even in the residual state. specimen. The ultimate volumetric strain in isotropic
consolidation was approximately 1.5 times that in one-
5. Conclusions dimensional consolidation. An identical trend was recog-
nised in the undrained shear strength, possibly because the
In this study, we examined the undrained peak and residual difference in stress conditions during consolidation had an
shear strengths of cement-treated soil samples that were cured identical level of influence on both the consolidation and
with isotropic consolidation and one-dimensional consolida- strength characteristics.
tion pressures. The following conclusions were developed (3) When the loading of confining pressure is delayed, the
based on our test results and the related discussions: ultimate volumetric strain generated by consolidation
decreases. This is true regardless of the stress condition
(1) The rate of the undrained peak strength increase caused by during consolidation. When the loading of confining
consolidation differs between isotropic and one-dimensional pressure is delayed, the undrained shear strength decreases
consolidations. For curing times of one to seven days, the in the triaxial compression test and in the unconfined
698 M. Suzuki et al. / Soils and Foundations 54 (2014) 687–698

Fig. 12. Relationships between residual strength and isotropic consolidation pressure in the case of different curing times.

compression test; it gradually approaches the value of Deng, J., Tatsuoka, F., Kuwano, J., 2012. Effects of wetting and ageing on 1D
cement-treated soil cured at atmospheric pressure. elasto-viscoplastic behaviour of cement-mixed clay and model simulation.
(4) For the reasons stated in (1)–(3), if the test is not conducted in Soils Found. 52 (2), 187–206.
Ghee, C.K., Hou, L.F., Dasari, G.R., 2004, Effects of curing stress on mechanical
nearly in-situ conditions, the undrained shear strength may be properties of cement treated soft marine clay. In: Proceedings of the Engineering
underestimated, depending on the time interval between the Practice and Performance of Soft Deposits, pp. 217–222.
cement treatment and the specimen's consolidation. Jongpradist, P., Youwai, S., Manorat, P., Kongkitkul, W., Chucheepsakul, S., 2011.
(5) The shear strength in the residual state continues to be Influence of curing stress on one-dimensional yielding of cement-admixed
Bangkok clay at high water content. Soils Found. 51 (2), 351–357.
influenced by the consolidation pressure during curing. As
Kobayashi, A., Tatsuoka, F., 1982a. Mechanical properties of saturated soft
the consolidation pressure during curing increases, the clay improved by cement-mixing II undrained shear properties, Seisan
specimen exhibits greater residual strength. Kenkyu (Institute of Industrial Science, University of Tokyo) 34 (8),
347–350 (in Japanese).
Kobayashi, A., Tatsuoka, F., 1982b. Mechanical properties of saturated soft
clay improved by cement-mixing VI effect of long-term curing, Seisan
Acknowledgements Kenkyu (Institute of Industrial Science, University of Tokyo), 34 (11);
482–485 (in Japanese).
These experiments could not have been conducted without Sakamoto, E., Hatanaka, S., Mishima, N., 2008. Fundamental study on
the cooperation of Ube Industries, Ltd. The authors are grateful consolidation characteristics of fresh mortar and concrete. J. Struct. Constr.
Eng. 73 (627), 693–700 (in Japanese).
to the late Professor Tetsuro Yamamoto for providing helpful
Suzuki, M., Taguchi, T., Fujimoto, T., Kawahara, Y., Yamamoto, T.,
advice and to Mr. Hidetoshi Fujino for assisting us in setting Okabayashi, S., 2005. Effect of loading condition during curing period
up the experimental facilities. on unconfined compressive strength of cement stabilized soil. J. Jpn. Soc.
Civ. Eng. 792 (III-71), 211–216 (in Japanese).
Taheri, A., Tatsuoka, F., 2012. Stress–strain relations of cement-mixed
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