Long Term Behavior of Lime-Treated Clayey Soil exposed to Successive Drying and Wetting
Résumé
The positive effects of lime treatment are likely to be altered by weathering, and the sustainability of lime-treatment positive effects is in question. In this study, the effects of successive drying/wetting cycles on the hydromechanical properties of a lime-treated clayey soil are assessed. Osmotic suction-controlled oedometers were used to determine the swelling/shrinkage behavior of soils subjected to successive drying/wetting cycles of small amplitude. Significant degradation of the yield stress was observed while the efficiency of the treatment on volumetric behavior remained unchanged, this being related to the stabilization process. This study showed that the evaluation of the mechanical sustainability of a lime-treated material subjected to wetting and drying cycles requires tests in realistic conditions.