Accelerated checking of the quality of placing clay soils in earth retaining structures

Conclusions

• 1. The proposed generalizations and system of accelerated stages checking of the quality of constructing earth retaining structures with the use of the index K_W can be used successfully for all types of cohesive soils (corresponding to the standard requirements) both pure (without inclusions) and containing fragmental material (up to 60%), for which other prompt methods, as a rule, do not provide sufficient accuracy.

• 2. The distinctive features of this check are simplicity, clarity, clear-cut sequence of the operations, and accessibility to personnel with a low level of training. Furthermore, it is based on the use of the simplest and cheapest equipment and instruments.

• 3. The use of the proposed method substantially increases the reliability of construction by eliminating the effect of the natural variability of soils on the accuracy of evaluating the quality of compaction, since the degree of compaction of the material is determined for each sample individually, and the possibility of self-checking eliminates the gross errors of the personnel.

• 4. The use of the method increases the effectiveness of checking, which makes it possible to conduct earthworks with a high rate.

• 5. The proposed checking system can be used (completely or partially) also in other areas of construction (reclamation, highway, etc.).