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Strength and Elastic Properties of Air–Cement-Treated Clays Under Cyclic and Monotonic Compression Tests

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Abstract

Using air–cement-treated clay (ACTC) as a subgrade material for flexible pavements has gained widespread interest and acceptance. The mechanical properties of ACTC, including its compressive strength and elastic modulus (i.e., equivalent elastic modulus, \(E_{{{\text{eq}}}}\)) are required to realistically model its behavior in simulating pavement structure. This paper investigates the impact of different mixing proportions, particularly cement content and unit weight, on the mechanical properties of ACTC. These properties include its unconfined compressive strength (\(q_{{\text{u}}}\)) and elastic moduli (initial modulus (\(E_{{0}}\)), secant modulus (\(E_{{{50}}}\)), and \(E_{{{\text{eq}}}}\)). The aim of the current study is to develop an equation for estimating the \(E_{{{\text{eq}}}}\), which is essential for analyzing pavement structures under cyclic loading. The study involves applying continuous monotonic and cyclic loads to evaluate the mechanical properties of ACTC mixtures with varying cement contents (35–135%) and controlled unit weights (8, 10, and 12 kN/m3). Our study findings indicate that both \(q_{{\text{u}}}\) and the elastic moduli are significantly influenced by cement content and unit weight, and are well described using the effective void ratio (\(e_{{{\text{st}}}}\)) parameter. The ranges for \(q_{{\text{u}}}\), \(E_{{0}}\), and \(E_{{{50}}}\) were 51.9–411.2 kPa, 42.8–289.4 MPa, and 33.9–183.1 MPa, respectively. \(E_{{{\text{eq}}}}\) varied between 37.6 and 289.4 MPa, depending upon the cement content, unit weight, and applied stress level. Notably, \(E_{{{\text{eq}}}}\) values decreased with increasing vertical stress. A simplified equation, accounting for the combined effects of cement content and unit weight on the \(E_{{{\text{eq}}}}\) variation under different stress levels, is developed and recommended for practical use in designing ACTC mixtures for pavement analysis.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi through the Research Strengthening Project of the Faculty of Engineering. The support by the National Science, Research and Innovation Fund (NSRF), and King Mongkut’s University of Technology North Bangkok, Contract No. KMUTNB-FF-66-27 was also acknowledged.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Construction Innovations and Future Infrastructures Research Center, Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi, 126 Pracha Uthit Rd., Bang Mod, Thung Khru, Bangkok, 10140, Thailand

    Chana Phutthananon, Pornkasem Jongpradist, Warat Kongkitkul & Sompote Youwai

  2. Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi, Bangkok, 10140, Thailand

    Anekpong Songprom

  3. Department of Teacher Training in Civil Engineering, Faculty of Technical Education, King Mongkut’s University of Technology North Bangkok, Bangkok, 10800, Thailand

    Raksiri Sukkarak

  4. Soil Engineering Research Center, Department of Civil Engineering, King Mongkut’s University of Technology North Bangkok, Bangkok, 10800, Thailand

    Pitthaya Jamsawang

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  1. Chana Phutthananon
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Correspondence to Pornkasem Jongpradist.

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Phutthananon, C., Songprom, A., Sukkarak, R. et al. Strength and Elastic Properties of Air–Cement-Treated Clays Under Cyclic and Monotonic Compression Tests. Arab J Sci Eng (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13369-024-09096-1

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