Mixtures of Clay / EPS Particulates and Undrained Shear Strength

Abstract

Soils mixed with expanded polystyrene (EPS) particulates could be used as lightweight fills in slopes for improved stability, embankments over compressible soils, and for reduced earth pressures in soil retention structures. The addition of very low density EPS particulates into soil has a large effect on the mass and volumetric properties of the resulting soil mixtures and their influence on mechanical properties is scarce in the literature. A laboratory characterization program of clay/EPS particulate mixtures was conducted for different dosages of EPS. The undrained shear strength of the soils modified with EPS particulates for both saturated and compacted conditions is presented herein. The preparation of unit element specimens and the influence of EPS content on the density and void ratio are presented. The reduction in dry unit weight is between 8% and 12% and the increase in equivalent void ratio is between 15% and 25% for each half percent increase in EPS content. The results indicate that, for the saturated mixtures, the undrained shear strength is relatively unaffected by EPS content. Conversely, for partially saturated compacted mixtures, a threshold EPS content was noted upon which significant reductions in the undrained shear strength were realized. © 2013 American Society of Civil Engineers.

Department(s)

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering

International Standard Book Number (ISBN)

978-078441278-7

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

0895-0563

Document Type

Article - Conference proceedings

Document Version

Citation

File Type

text

Language(s)

English

Rights

© 2024 American Society of Civil Engineers, All rights reserved.

Publication Date

18 Nov 2013

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