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MAHALAKSMI
ENGINEERING COLLEGE
TIRUCHIRAPALLI - 621213.

QUESTION WITH ANSWERS

DEPARTMENT: CIVIL -IV

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SEMESTE
R:VII SUB.CODE/ NAME: CE 2033 / Ground Improvement Techniques

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UNIT V GROUT TECHNIQUES

PART - A (2 marks)

1. Define grouting.

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Grouting is defined as the process of injecting suitable fluid under pressure into the
subsurface soil or rock to fill voids, cracks and fissures for the purpose of improving the
soil.
The fluid may be colloidal solutions, cement suspensions, chemical solutions etc.

2. Write the applications of grouting. (AUC MAY/JUNE 2013)

s.b

1. Producing mass concrete structures and piles

2. Fixing ground anchors for sheet pile walls, concrete pile walls, retaining walls
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tunnels etc
3. Repairing a ground underneath a formation or cracks
4. Defects on building masonry or pavement
5. Fixing the tendons in prestressed post tensioned concrete
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6. Filling the void between the lining and rock face in tunnel works
7. Seepage control in soil
8. Soil stabilization and solidification
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9. Vibration control

3. Write the various types of grouting.

Suspension grouts
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Solution Grouts
Colloidal solution grouts
4. What are the different types of grouts?
Compaction grouting
Permeation grouting
Hydraulic fracturing
Jet grouting

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5. Name the different methods of grout injection.

Bottom up
Top down
Circuit grouting
Tube-a-manchette
Point grouting
Electro-kinetic injection

6. What are the two methods of mechanical stabilization?

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Removal &Replacement
Dynamic compaction
Precompression
Insitu Replacement

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Blast Densification

7. How is stabilization of soil achieved by cement?

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cement stabilisation - which uses higher percentages of cement and produces a stiff, semi-
rigid pavement material.The design of cement-soil-water mixtures is based on selecting the
minimum cement content required to provide sufficient strength and durability to enable the
material to function as a satisfactory layer in the pavement structure. The amount of cement
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required is determined by laboratory testing, usually using the unconfined compressive
strength test.

8. What are the methods adopted in construction of stabilized roads?

Stabilization with lime

s.b

Combined stabilization with lime and flyash

Stabilization with cement
Stabilization with RRP-235
Cost and strength of stabilized layers
Change of the strength in an unconfined compression in connection with the
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comprehensiveness of the soil in lime and cement 7% and 5 kg RRP/100 m2

10. What are the various stages of action in lime stabilization?

gglomeration of fine clay particles, though base exchange;
weak cementing action, due to calcium carbonate formation; and
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slow, long-term cementing action.

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10. Write the various classes of chemicals used in stabilization of soil.

pulverization;
cement content;
moisture content;
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mixing;
compaction;
finishing;
curing .
11. Define Suspension grouts and group grouts . (AUC NOV /DEC 2010)

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Suspension grouts
These are multi-phase systems capable of forming sub systems after being subjected to natural
sieving processes, with chemical properties which must ensure that they do not militate against
controlled properties of setting and strength.
Water in association with cement, lime, soil, etc., constitute suspensions.
Emulsion (asphalt or bitumen) with water is a two-phase system which is also included under
suspension.
Solution Grouts
These are intimate one-phase system retaining an originally designed chemical balance until

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completion of the relevant reactions. Silicate
derivatives, lignosulphite derivatives, phenoplast resins etc. come under this category.

12. State the conditions required the injection grouting method ?

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(AUC NOV /DEC 2010)
The grouting process the basic information to be obtained is the
weight for suspension grouts and volume for solution grouts flow rate
along with pressures for both.
The measurements of weight or volume should be made accurately so

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as confirm mix proportions.
In solution grouting positive displacement meters may be used for
these purpose
13. Discuss the basic function of grouting . (AUC MAY/JUNE 2013)
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Grouting is defined as the process of injecting suitable fluid under pressure into the subsurface
soil or rock to fill voids, cracks and fissures for the purpose of improving the soil.
The fluid may be colloidal solutions, cement suspensions, chemical solutions etc.
14. Write few words about jet grouting (AUC NOV /DEC 2012)
s.b

The jet grouting technique is developed in the 1960s. However, because of its unique
properties, it is becoming quite popular in the civil engineering works. Its main applications
are: -
• Grouting of clay / silt soils which is not suitable for TAM grouting technique.

• Jet grout wall and roof are used to reinforce tunnel portal excavation works.
d ata
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Part –B
1. Describe in detail about the various methods of grouting with neat sketches. (AUC MAY/JUNE 2013)

Suspension grouts
These are multi-phase systems capable of forming sub systems after being subjected to natural
sieving processes, with chemical properties which must ensure that they do not militate against
controlled properties of setting and strength.
Water in association with cement, lime, soil, etc., constitute suspensions.

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Emulsion (asphalt or bitumen) with water is a two-phase system which is also included under
suspension.
Solution Grouts

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These are intimate one-phase system retaining an originally designed chemical balance until
completion of the relevant reactions. Silicate
derivatives, lignosulphite derivatives, phenoplast resins etc. come under this category.

Colloidal solution grouts

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Solutions in which the solute is present in the colloidal state are known as colloidal solutions.
Chemical grouts fall into this category.
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i. Compaction grouting
ii. Permeation grouting
iii. Hydraulic fracturing
iv. Jet grouting
s.b

o Compaction grouting
The basic concept is of injecting an highly viscous grout with high internal friction, injected into a
compactable soil, the grout acts as a radial-hydraulic jack and physically displaces the soil particles thus
achieving controlled densification.
• Grouting adjacent to
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Minimum disturbance to
the structure and unsupported slopes may be
surrounding ground, ineffective.
• Minimum risk during • Not suitable in
construction. decomposable materials.
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• Ground water not affected. • Danger of filling

• Supports all portions of underground pipes with structures.
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grout. • Effectiveness questionable in saturated clays

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Permeation grouting

Grout is injected into the soil at low pressure and fills the voids without significantly changing the
soil’s structure and volume.
Variety of binders are used with this technique, the choice of which is dictated mainly by the
permeability of the soil.
Merits:

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Solidifies the soil
Cost of grout increases as
Adds to its cohesion permeability decreases

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Reduces permeability
Cannot be adopted when permeability decreases below 10-6cm/s
Demerits:

Hydrofracturing uses high-mobility grout to split the ground and thereby create lifting or densification

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under structures or other facilities.
This process is often undertaken as a reaction to movements while tunnel excavation is in progress.
The main disadvantage of this method is that it is difficult to control.
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2. Write short notes on
(a) Pre-grout investigation
i. To determine method and extent of grouting
ii. Requires geological and drilling investigation with pumping tests
iii. Geological investigation reveals geological features and flaws like fissures, faults, zones of
weakness, dip, strike etc.
s.b

iv. Detailed
v. exploration and sampling are done to
vi. determine soil properties like strength, permeability etc.
vii. Pumping tests are done for estimating pumping pressure, grout type and pattern.
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(b) Grout holes pattern

a. Grout hole pattern is usually selected in such a way that a curtain of grouted soil is
formed
b. This is done by drilling holes in a row followed by secondary and tertiary holes to plug
the gaps in the initial rows of grout holes
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c. Grout holes are drilled usually in vertical direction but inclined holes are also drilled to
intersect maximum number of bedding planes or joints
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(c) Selection of grout characteristics

o A grout must be able to penetrate the voids of the mass to be injected
o A grout should be resistant to chemical attack
o The grout should be capable of developing sufficient shear strength to resist the hydraulic gradient
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imposed during injection or due to ground water flow

3. Enumerate with a neat sketch the grouting plant and equipment necessary and the
procedure for carrying out grouting operations.

Grouting Plant and Equipment

a. A grouting plant includes a mixer, an agitator, a pump, and piping connected to grout
holes.

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b. Two systems: single line type and circulating type. In the circulation type, the unused
grout is returned to the agitator and in the single-line type the grout refused is wasted.
c. The basic items required for a grouting plant and their functions are:
d. Measuring tank-to control the volume of grout injected.
e. Mixer-to mix the grout ingredients
f. Agitator-to keep the solid particles in suspension until they are pumped
g. Pump-to draw the grout from the agitator to deliver to the pumping line.
h. Control fittings-to control the injection rate and pressure.

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s.b

4. Write a detailed note on the various grout injection methods.

Injection methods
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Bottom up
Grouting is done from bottom of the hole upwards
Top down
Grouting is done from top of the hole downwards
Circuit grouting
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Similar to bottom up but the excess grout pumped down comes out via the drill hole, which
eliminates clogging
Tube-a-manchette
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Grouting is done through a tube called tube-a-manchette with rubber sleeves through which grout
spreads to surrounding soil
Point grouting
Injection is done through the tip or point of a driven or jetted lance
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Pressure injected lime

Injection of lime slurry under high pressure of 350 to1400 kN/m2 usually for shallow stabilization
depths of upto 3m
Electro-kinetic injection
Chemical stabilizers are introduced at anode and are carried towards cathode via electro-
osmosis mainly under conditions that require confinement or to avoid disturbance

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5. What is grout injection measurement? Why is grout monitoring necessary? (AUC NOV /DEC 2010)

The grouting process the basic information to be obtained is the weight for
suspension grouts and volume for solution grouts flow rate along with
pressures for both.
The measurements of weight or volume should be made accurately so as
confirm mix proportions.
In solution grouting positive displacement meters may be used for these
purpose
The floe rate of the grouting during injection should be continuously by

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monitored and plotted against the grout pressure to ascertain the condition
below the ground. Different types of flow meters are available in the market.
Pressures should be also be monitored at the grout stations , if possible ,

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continuously .
Bourdon tube gauges are also used to measure pressure periodically which
usually take a dreadful battering on most grouting jobs and yet provide such
valuable information that they are worth taking care of
Grouting monitoring is not just measurement of flow rate , pressure , etc , but

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it is making aa positive assessment of he results of the injected grout .
This can be accomplished by the conventional methods by obtaining
undisturbed soil, rock samples of the grouted material and then testing them
for the strength , permeability , compressibility adopting standard lab methods
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The constraint about this approach is the selection of test boring location ,
depth of sampling and finance . a better approach is to be use indirect
methods such as geophysical or non- destructive testing methods which
provide a continuous trace of continuous before and after grouting either
along either along the grounds surface or within adjacent grout pipes .
s.b

Grout monitoring procedures at the various times during the grouting process
:

Grouting activity:
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Prior grouting
During drilling
Grout materials
During grout
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After grouting

Minor monitoring effect only :

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Inspect equipment set elevation survey points and establish monitoring

plan and procedures
Certificates of compliance trial grout mixes
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Monitor injection pressure and flow rate grout samples for get time and
storage
Plot grout –take log
Heave measurements on survey paints
Final heave survey final review an signoff

Intense monitoring effort:

Inspect equipment set elevation survey points and establish monitoring

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plan and procedures

Conduct pre grout radar and cross hole acoustic surveys
Certificates of compliance trial grout mixes , independent lab tests
Monitor and record injection pressure and flow rate (strip chart )
Grout emplaces for gel time and storage

Plot grout take log

\heave measurements on survey points
In situ deformation measurements as appropriate
Pore –pressure data

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In-situ resistivity
Acoustic emission monitoring for hyrofracturing
Final heave survey

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Post grout radar and acoustic surveys
Final review and signoff

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6. Describe in detail the various applications of grouting?
(AUC NOV /DEC 2012)
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1. Producing mass concrete structures and piles
2. Fixing ground anchors for sheet pile walls, concrete pile walls, retaining walls tunnels etc
3. Repairing a ground underneath a formation or cracks
4. Defects on building masonry or pavement
s.b

5. Fixing the tendons in prestressed post tensioned concrete

6. Filling the void between the lining and rock face in tunnel works
7. Seepage control in soil
8. Soil stabilization and solidification
9. Vibration control
10. Rock fissure grouting technique has a long history of application in civil engineering.
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11. Its main applications are:

• Sealing rock mass underneath and at ends of dams to prevent seepage or
leaking of the reservoirs.
• Sealing rock mass above and underneath a rock tunnel to prevent water
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seepage into the excavated tunnel.

Cementing fractured rock mass. Although Rock Fissure Grouting technique can be used to
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cemented sugar clubs rock formation, like in slope stability projects, its main application is in the
field of water stopping, especially in tunnel excavation project.
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Application of TAM

• Main applications of the TAM grouting technique are: -

o Sealing soil mass above and underneath a tunnel excavated in soil under compressed air condition.
o Sealing soil mass behind the soldier pile wall, pipe pile wall etc.
o Sealing “windows” in cofferdams
o Consolidation of loose soil mass (cohesion less granular sand)

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o Sealing underlying soil of dams

Application
• The jet grouting technique is developed in the 1960s. However, because of its unique properties, it is
becoming quite popular in the civil engineering works. Its main applications are: -
• Grouting of clay / silt soils which is not suitable for TAM grouting technique.
• Jet grout wall and roof are used to reinforce tunnel portal excavation works.
• Sealing of windows of coffer dams

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• Used as jet grout raft to reinforce cofferdam to limit its deflection and thus decrease the settlement
caused by the excavation works

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Application
• Compaction grouting is a soil and foundation support improvement system that increases the bearing
capacity of soils.

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• A major advantage of using compaction grouting is that its maximum peak effect is realized in the
weakest or softest strata of the infrastructure support.
• Its main applications are as follows:
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a. Lateral static densification of soils.
b. Lifting and re-leveling roads, bridges, and other existing structures
c. Blocking of flow-path of viscous liquids through stratum layers and rock cracks, voids, and
fractures
s.b

d. Construction of underpinning
d. The remediation of sinkholes

Application.
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Percussion drilling produces acceptable grout holes

and, generally, is the most economical method of drilling shallow holes. This advantage
decreases with depth and disappears at depths from 75 to 125 ft depending on the type of
rock. In operation, the edges or wings of the bit wear away so that a progressively smaller hole
is drilled. Therefore, when pertinent, the specifications should state the minimum acceptable
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size of grout hole.

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7. Enumerate in detail the different methods of mechanical stabilization.

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Mechanical stabilization.

Mechanical stabilization is accomplished by mixing or blending soils of two or

more gradations to obtain a material meeting the required specification. The soil
blending may take place at the construction site, a central plant, or a borrow
area. The blended material is then spread and compacted to required densities
by conventional means

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Methods of Mechanical stabilization

Removal &Replacement:-
Excavate unsuitable soil and replace compaction fill used when soil is too loose use same
soil for fill which has high unit weight which have engineering properties.
Removal will be done first soil has excessive organics. It is expensive method
because we want to dispose and import the soil. Both is suitable only above ground water table.
Earthwork operation is different if soil is wet.

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Precompression:-

For improving soil we have to cover them with a temporary surcharge fill. Preloading, surcharging.
Suitable for soft clayey and silty soils because static weight of fill cause them consolidate t

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hus improves settlement of strength properties after the properties
attains, surcharge id removed and construction proceeds surcharge fills 3-8 m, settlement 0.3-1 m.

Insitu densification:-

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Method of densifing shallow soil using heavy vibratory rollers upto 2m.
Vibrocompaction: Two methods Terraprobe and vibroflot. Terraprobe consists consists
vibratory pile hammer attached to steel pipe. Pile is vibrated.
A vibroflot contains vibrator and water jet. Depth upto 3- 15m, silt content less than <12-15%.
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Dynamic compaction:

cost effective method of densifing loosen sandy and silty soil. Primary zone of influence
typically extends to depth of 5-10m with lesser improvements below these depths.
s.b

It is used to treat 5-10m with lesser improvements below these depths .

It is used to treat liquefaction prone soil, collapsible soil.
It is evaluated by performing STP&CPT tests before and after construction.

Blast Densification: -
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curious than above one. It consist of drilling a series of boring & using them to place
explosive underground. It is effective in clean sands.
Because of vibration of safety issues it is only suitable for remote sites.

Insitu Replacement:-
It is intended to provide load bearing members that extend through weak strata.
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The stone column acts as vertical drain thus helps in accelerate consolidation settlement of
mitigate seismic liquefaction problem.
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Modern equipments used for stabilization

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8. Write a detailed note on(AUC NOV /DEC 2010)

(a) Portland cement stabilization

Portland Cement Stabilisation

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Cement treatment takes two forms:

cement modification - which uses up to about 3 percent cement (by mass) and aims to reduce plasticity
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without producing a rigid material; and

cement stabilisation - which uses higher percentages of cement and produces a stiff, semi-rigid
pavement material.

The design of cement-soil-water mixtures is based on selecting the minimum cement content required to
s.b

provide sufficient strength and durability to enable the material to function as a satisfactory layer in the
pavement structure. The amount of cement required is determined by laboratory testing, usually using the
unconfined compressive strength test.

Construction practices significantly effect the subsequent performance of cement stabilised materials, and
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each of the following aspects must be closely controlled:

1. pulverization;

2. cement content;
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3. moisture content;
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4. mixing;

5. compaction;

6. finishing;
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7. curing .
Rapid compaction after mixing is possibly
most important as cement hydrates
relatively quickly

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(b) Bituminous stabilization

The addition of a bituminous material to soil or crushed rock material is intended

to either provide a cohesive binder for non-plastic materials, or to waterproof a cohesive material.

The type of binder best suited to a particular application depends on cost, soil type, climate, and

availability of mixing equipment. The most appropriate binder from a technical perspective is determined

by laboratory testing. Bituminous binders which have been used for stabilisation work include bitumen,

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cut-back bitumen, bitumen emulsion and tars.

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Insitu deep mixing:-

Uses rotating mixer shafts, paddles or jet that penetrates into ground while injecting of mixing

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Portland cement. It includes deep cement mixing, deep jet mixing. The treated soil has greater

strength, reduced compressibility than original soil.

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Surface mixing: upper soil gets ripped, applying the admixture mixing with special

equipment and compacting. Once mixture has cured it forms very hard and durable soil.

It forms a layer called sub base in highways and airports. It is no more than 200 mm.
s.b

Reinforcement:-tensile reinforcement members improve the soil stability of load carrying capacity.

Used in construction of compacted fill slopes of earth retaining structures.

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8. Describe in detail how chemicals are used in stabilizing the soil with the help of an
example. (AUC MAY/JUNE 2013) (AUC NOV /DEC 2012)
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Chemical stabilization.
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Chemical stabilization is achieved by the addition of proper percentages of

cement, lime, fly ash, bitumen, or combinations of these materials to the soil.

The selection of type and determination of the percentage of chemical to be used is dependent
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upon the soil classification and the degree of improvement in soil quality desired.

Generally, smaller amounts of chemicals are required when it is simply desired to modify soil

properties such as gradation, workability, and plasticity. When it is desired to improve

the strength and durability significantly, larger quantities of additive are used.

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After the additive/chemical has been mixed with the soil, spreading and

compaction are achieved by conventional means.

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Hydrated Lime Stabilisation

When hydrated lime (or quick lime) is aded to a soil in the presence of moisture a series of
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reactions is set in motion. The actual physical and chemical processes which occurs are

quite complex. The reaction between lime and soil can be considered in three major, overlapping stages:

agglomeration of fine clay particles, though base exchange;

s.b

weak cementing action, due to calcium carbonate formation; and

slow, long-term cementing action.

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The reaction of lime with soil depends on the type of clay minerals present in the soil.

For the reaction to be effective the soil must contain kaolinite or montmorillonite minerals.

If the clay minerals are illite or chlorite, a pozzolan must be added to produce the desired effects.
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The normal pozzolan which is used is fly ash.

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Small amounts of lime (1% to 3%) may reduce the soil plasticity and this process is referred to

as lime modification. The more normal process is the addition of 3% to 6% lime, although

there is now a school of thought which suggests the process is more effective with fairly
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high lime contents (in the order of 10%).

Mix design is based on the selection of the lime content necessary to provide required strength

and durability. Lime contents may be determined by strength tests (e.g. CBR), or

by Atterberg Limits, or by pH values.

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Construction processes are similar to those used for cement stabilisation. Adequate

pulverisation of the soil to be stabilised is very important, and this may be facilitated by

partially pulverising, adding portion of the lime, repulverising and then adding the balance of the lime.

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