Determination of the physicomechanical characteristics of hydraulicked soils and their settlements by radioisotope methods

Conclusions

1. Use of radioisotope methods for investigating hydraulicked beds makes it possible:

• a) to determine the absolute value of the density and moisture content of the soils, which are derived from their characteristics and their variations with time;

• b) to estimate the degree of layer consolidation of the soils and the value of relative three-dimensional deformations;

• c) to determine the variation in the pressure of the hydraulicked soil on the natural bed as it drains;

• d) to predict the process of consolidation of the hydraulicked soil and natural bed.

2. According to radioisotope measurement data, the results of determination of the relative three-dimensional deformations are comparable to settlement-measurement data obtained from deep marks, but, in contrast to the latter, make it possible to determine the settlement in any layer of the soil section under investigation.

3. A more precise definition of the required thickness of the hydraulicked soil and prediction of the bed settlement from radioisotope-measurement data will make it possible to significantly reduce the labor outlays and time consumed in the engineering preparation of areas containing weak soils, and to generate significant savings.