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Evaluation of the compactness of subbase and base geomaterials by using stiffness

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Abstract

Stiffness of soil that is defined as ratio of load to deflection depends on some physical properties such as compactness and water content. The purpose of this research study is to use stiffness for estimating compactness of granular geomaterials that are used as subbase and base courses of roads. In this research study, the stiffness of soil samples was determined according ASTM D6758-08 test method by using electro-mechanical device. The dry density of the compacted soil was determined by sand-cone method in the field. More than 80 laboratory and in situ tests were performed. The obtained stiffness data was used to establish a relationship between stiffness, compaction ratio and water content. The results showed that there is a strong relationship between the stiffness, compaction ratio and water content. Also, the result of validation showed that there is good correlation between in situ and laboratory tests results.

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Abbreviations

A:

constant coefficient

b:

intercept

c:

fitted value

K:

stiffness

m:

moisture content

n:

slope of line

P:

force

\( {\text{R}}_{\text{c}} \) :

compaction ratio

S:

stiffness

\( \upgamma_{\text{d}} \) :

in situ dry density

\( \upgamma_{\text{d max}} \) :

maximum dry density

δ:

deflection

ρ0 :

ideal zero void density

ρd :

dry density

ω:

water content

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like thank the Technical and Soil Mechanics Laboratory Co. (TSML) for their support. However, the results and opinions presented in this paper do not necessarily reflect the view and policy the company.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Civil Engineering, Moghadas Ardabili Institute of Higher Education, Ardabil, Iran

    Babak Kazemi Darabadi

  2. Department of Civil Engineering, University of Zanjan, Zanjan, Iran

    Alireza Khavandi Khiavi & Ramin Rasouli

  3. Civil Engineering Department, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, Iran

    Ahad Ouria

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  1. Babak Kazemi Darabadi
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  2. Alireza Khavandi Khiavi
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  3. Ahad Ouria
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  4. Ramin Rasouli
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Correspondence to Babak Kazemi Darabadi.

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Kazemi Darabadi, B., Khavandi Khiavi, A., Ouria, A. et al. Evaluation of the compactness of subbase and base geomaterials by using stiffness. Sādhanā 43, 195 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12046-018-0963-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12046-018-0963-2

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