Effect of Stress Level and Binder Composition on Secondary Compression of an Artificially Stabilized Soil

This paper examines the effect on the compressibility of a Portuguese soft soil stabilized with binders, with a special emphasis on creep characteristics. The effects of vertical stress during curing time and binder composition (type and content) on the creep behavior of a stabilized material are analyzed with oedometer tests. The results show the decrease of the secondary compression index with the decrease of the vertical stress applied during creep phase and with the increment of the binder content. The best binder type for this soil, in terms of creep behavior, is composed of portland cement and fly ash with a dry weight proportion of 75/25, because this promotes the development of secondary pozzolanic reactions. The results also reveal that the binder composition should have a minimum quantity of cement to improve the compression characteristics of the stabilized soil adequately. DOI: 10.1061/(ASCE)GT.1943-5606.0000762. (C) 2013 American Society of Civil Engineers.