Geotech Geol Eng (2015) 33:10671079
DOI 10.1007/s10706-015-9888-2
ORIGINAL PAPER
Effect of Treatment with Cement on the Mechanical
Characteristics of Silt from Telagh Region of Sidi Belabes,
Algeria
Nour-Said Ikhlef . Moulay Smane Ghembaza .
Mokhtar Dadouch
Received: 30 June 2014 / Accepted: 21 April 2015 / Published online: 5 May 2015
Springer International Publishing Switzerland 2015
Abstract In Algeria the use of soil treated with
hydraulic binder is not responded because the very few
sites already completed have not experienced feed-
back to confront the knowledge on the subject. Most
soils in their natural condition lack the strength,
dimensional stability and durability required for
building. These inherent deficiencies may be over-
comed through a process of stabilization by me-
chanical compaction and addition to the soil matrix of
chemical binders, such as cement or lime. High water
content and low workability of local soils have often
caused difficulties for highway construction projects.
The addition of a few percentages by weight of cement
has shown its effectiveness towards better control of
workability during compaction and significant cost
savings over removal and replacement of backfill
material in some projects (Sariosseiri and Muhunthan
in Eng Geol 104:119125, 2009). This paper is
focused on understanding the compaction character-
istics and mechanical properties of compacted cement
stabilised soil mixtures. We opted to base our work on
a laboratory study, conducting soilcement mixtures.
N.-S. Ikhlef  M. S. Ghembaza (&)  M. Dadouch
Laboratory of Civil Engineering and Environment, Djillali
Liabe`s University, 22000 Sidi Bel-Abbe`s, Algeria
e-mail: ghembaza_moulay@yahoo.fr
N.-S. Ikhlef
e-mail: ikhlefsaidnour@yahoo.fr
M. Dadouch
e-mail: mokhtardaddouche@yahoo.fr
A soil area Telagh was treated with cement varying
each time the quantities of cement and water, in order
to observe the influence of dosage and the amount of
water present in the mixture on compressive strength
and the stiffness of the material. In this study, natural
silty soil extracted from the locality Guetna of region
Telagh was characterized and mixed with cement to
prepare compacted cylindrical samples to standard
Proctor (OMC) of different cement doses and different
watercement ratios. After curing, the hardened
samples were tested and their compressive strength
was investigated for different duration. Another
important parameter is considered in this study is the
extent of the permeability of the soils treated with
cement, as our material can be used for building dams
and dykes. The results of the first part of this study
showed the influence of cement content on com-
paction characteristics and water permeability of
stabilized Guetna soil. The results from the second
part of this study showed the effect of time lag, water
cement ratios, and dosage of cement on the compres-
sive strength and elastic modulus of the investigated.
Salient conclusions of the study are (a) compaction
characteristics of soils are affected by the addition of
cement, in particular the water content that increases
with high doses of cement, (b) compressive strength
increased with dosage of cement varying to 2 % at
6 %, even at lower values of cement doses, (c) in
contrast, the water contact on soil leads to a marked
decrease in compression strength, (d) the results also
indicated that the water permeability decrease when le
123
1068
cement content increased, (e) the elastic modulus
defined at 50 % of peak strength is determined for
studied material at different binder contents and
different curing times, (f) the development of elastic
modulus is in accordance with compressive strength.
A quantitative correlation E50 = 75. Rc is therefore
determined according to large quantities of test results.
Keywords Treatment  Cement  Silt  Standard
Proctor  Compaction  Water permeability 
Compressive strength  Water resistance  Elastic
modulus
1 Introduction
The implementation of fine soil is often hampered by
their high humidity and/or high clay content. In these
cases, the fine soils have long been substituted with
materials having good mechanical characteristics such
as aggregates. However, this logic is not consistent
with the requirements of sustainable development.
Indeed, the field of excavation is today marked by a
growing need to reuse the materials encountered in the
grip of the same projects, whatever their nature and
condition, in order to meet the goal of zero debt, zero
waste.
Xing et al. (2009) show that a relationship exists
between the development of resistance to simple
compression, Rc of soil treated with hydraulic binders
and the formation of silicates and calcium aluminates
hydrated soil. Indeed the more development of
hydrates, the more Rc is high. Venkatarama and
Kumar (2011) show that the compressive strength of
compacted cement stabilised soil increases with
increase in density irrespective of moulding moisture
content and cement content, and increases with the
increase in moulding water content and compaction on
the wet side of OMC is beneficial in terms of strength.
Concerning the study of deformation modulus of
the treated soils, several studies have been made
(Terashi et al. 1977; Walker, 1995; Shenbaga and
Havanagin 1999; Heilli 2000; Tang et al. 2000; Bruce
2001; Topolnicki 2004; Zhu et al. 2005; Qiao et al.
2007; Sariosseiri and Muhunthan 2009; Chen et al.
2010; Wei et al. (2011); Wang et al. 2013). From this
work, there is a relationship between the modulus of
deformation E50 (which is the modulus at 50 % of the
123
Geotech Geol Eng (2015) 33:10671079
maximum applied load) and the compressive strength,
Rc. It is interesting to note that if the E50/Rc ratio
increases with resistance, then this observation tends
to prove that the ratio Rc (site)/Rc (laboratory) is about
0.5 (Szymkiewicz 2011). However, two more recent
studies (Jegandan et al. 2010; Ganne et al. 2010) show
that the stiffness of the material seems to evolve
linearly with the Rc until a certain resistance then the
rigidity tends to a constant value, whatever Rc
obtained.
The idea of using silt of Guetna in road works to
improve the mechanical performance of a sub-grade
layer, proves interesting not only from an economic
point of view but also environmental. It is towards this
light that our work is oriented. The working method-
ology followed is firstly to characterize the base
material. Then a cement processing is performed
based on the results of resistance to simple compres-
sion and variation of deformation modulus that is to
study the influence of cement content on the physico-
mechanical characteristics (particularly, Resistance
and elastic modulus) of soilcement mixtures. The
results show the advantage of the method of cement
treatment on the notable improvement in the physico-
mechanical properties of the soilcement mixtures.
In addition although lime treatment of silty soils has
been widely used in embankment constructions, its use
for the construction of hydraulic structures (dams,
dikes, etc.) or of embankments in flooding areas need a
particular attention on the study of the permeability.
Generally the addition of lime to soil compacted (at
optimum Proctor) under a given compaction energy
leads to an increase in its permeability (McCallister
1990; Nalbantoglu and Tuncer 2001; Rajasekaran and
Rao 2002; Le Runigo et al. 2011; Yldz and Soganc
2012). This increase is usually associated by the
authors at lower density observed after the addition of
lime, and therefore, reorganization of particles in-
duced by flocculation/aggregation. The magnitude of
the increase in permeability is difficult to assess.
Indeed, McCallister (1990) found that the addition of
lime leads to an increase in soil permeability from two
to three orders of magnitude, while Brandl (1981)
notes an increase of less than an order of magnitude.
The work of various authors cited above (Brandl 1981;
McCallister 1990; McCallister and Petry 1992; Nal-
bantoglu and Tuncer 2001; de Brito Galvao et al.
2004; Osinubi and Nwaiwu 2006) indicate that the
permeability of the soils treated with lime and
Geotech Geol Eng (2015) 33:10671079 1069

compacted is closely related to the amount of lime absolutely necessary to proceed to treatment with cement
added (cited by Le Runigo et al. 2011). In contrast, that is most suitable for this type of soil (Abdo 2008; Le
other authors suggest a decrease in permeability with Borgne 2010) with a low energy compaction. This
curing time (Brandl 1981; Choquette et al. 1987). treatment choice is confirmed by the Soil Treatments
However, this modification of the permeability de- Guide, 2000 (GTS 2000). The water status frequently
pends on the amount and nature of clay minerals of wet of the soil, characterized by a relative sensitivity to
treated soil. Our goal aims then at assessing the water does not allow an efficient compacting. The
permeability of our cement-stabilized soil. adjustment of the water status is determined by the
natural water content (wn): 0.9wopn B wn B 1,1wopn
with wn = 18.86 % (NF P94-078).
2 Characterization of the Materials The results of the chemical analysis shows the
major mineral constituents of the material used are:
2.1 Silt of Guetna silica (38.86%) and lime (27.01%). Investigated
properties of the soil is illustrated in Table 1.
The Silt from the locality of Guetna of the Telagh
region located 50 km from the town of Sidi Bel abbes 2.2 Cement Used
(western Algeria). Samples of the material are made
through an excavator to depths up to 65 cm. This The cement used is Portland cement CEM I 32.5 MPa
material is being reshuffled is contained in sealed bags class. It follows the grinding of clinker with about 5 %
and transported to laboratories for study. gypsum, for the regularization of the setting. Clinker is
The physical characteristics of silt are determined of the cement works of CHLEF in western Algeria.
according to the classification guide of road earth- The chemical study revealed no evidence of disruptive
works (LCPC-SETRA, GTR 2000) (NF P 11-300). In agents (Table 2). The percentage of organic matter
view of the results of geotechnical recognition [value measured is low, of the order of 1.03 % and cannot be
methylene blue: VBS equal to 1.23 according to (NF
P 94-100) and Atterberg limits: Ip equal to 11.97%
Table 1 Physico-chemical and mechanical properties of silt
according to (NF P 94-051)] and using the G.T.R
classification, our soil is classified A1h (Fig. 1). This Plasticity(%)
classification does not take into account soil geo- wL 33.00
chemistry (Saussaye et al. 2011). IP 11.97
Its a less plastic silt that does not meet the charac- Particle size analysis
teristics required for the design of a sub-grade layer and \80 lm (%) 56.80
site organization during its implementation. It is Cc = d230/d10d60 37.94
Cu = d60/d10 0.84
OPN characteristics
wopn (%) 16.40
cd/cw 1.68
Density of particles cs/cw 2.55
Blue value 1.23
2
Specific surface (cm /g) 25.75
Natural content water (%) 14.86
Chemical properties
Silica (%) 38.86
Lime 27.01
Organic matter 1.35
Iron oxide 1.36
Alumina oxide Null
Fig. 1 Classification of the material according to NF-P11-300 CaCO3 (%) 52
(LCPC-SETRA GTR 2000)

123
1070 Geotech Geol Eng (2015) 33:10671079

disruptive to setting. We recall that beyond 3 %
theres a risk of disruption (NF P94.011).
3 Experimental Protocol
A laboratory procedure as listed step by step below,
was attempted to be developed for preparing, curing
and testing the soil mixed specimen. To prepare the
samples, the needed amount of each soil was first dried
in oven at 105 C for 24 h to ensure having soil with
zero initial water content. Then, each soil was sieved
using sieve 5 mm in order to eliminate any stones.
Thereafter, the required cement dosage rate of each
specimen was achieved by adding and thoroughly
mixing a calculated weight of cement with a specific
weight of soil. Finally, according to the desired water
cement ratio, a prescribed weight of water was added
and mixed for about 515 min to make cement
watersoil mixture. This procedure was similar to that
described by Farouk and Shahien (2013) except the
mixing time is increased in order to homogenize the
mixture. Light weight (standard Proctor) compaction
tests were carried out to determine the optimum
moisture content (OMC) and maximum dry density
(MDD) of all cementsoil mixtures. Cylindrical
samples of the cementsoil mixtures were prepared
immediately after mixing at their respective OMC and
MDD. For cement-soil mixtures, 50.8 mm diameter
Table 2 Physico-chemical properties of used cement
Chemical composition Quantity (%)
Insoluble (%) 0.97
Loss on ignition (%) 5.14
Free CaO (%) 0.70
SiO2 (%) 20.71
Al2O3 5.29
Fe2O3 (%) 3.47
CaO (%) 62.07
MgO (%) 1.12
SO3 (%) 1.66
Physical characteristics
2
Specific surface area (cm /g)
Consistency (%)
Initial setting time (h, min)
Hot expansion on paste (mm)
and 76 mm long samples were prepared by static
compaction from a 0/5 mm fraction of the mixture. A
set of two pistons (hydraulic press Marshall), helps
give the specimens constant volume of 206 cm3 per
delimitation height 100 mm.
For curing, the samples were closely wrapped in a
plastic bag and placed above water in a desiccator kept
in a room where the temperature was maintained
around 21 C. Generally, the samples were cured for
7, 14, 28, 90 and 180 days. After curing, unconfined
compression strength test was performed under a
testing machine having a maximum load capacity of
10 kN and the water content was also determined. A
minimum of three tests were conducted for each
combination of the variables. Indeed, each specimen is
subjected to a compressive force applied parallel to the
axis of the cylinder with a piston of speed 1.52 mm/
min until rupture.
In order to investigate the impact of water contact
by immersion, on the evolution of the soil mechanical
properties, other sample series were cured for 14 days
with the last 7 days immersed in a solution of distilled
water, according to British Standard BS 19241953.
However, after a full deparaffinage, compression
strength tests were performed, firstly on the samples
of 7 days cure (denoted r in MPa) and those, after
14 days cure (denoted R in MPa). Secondly, after
14 days curing, the immersed specimens, were
crashed to a resistance (denoted R0 in MPa) to
evaluate their resistance to water.
The immersion compression ratio R0 /R allows us to
appreciate the insensitivity to water of the cement-
treated soil. The last criterion of immersion compres-
sion ratio can be greatly reduced if the risk of water
soilcement contact are low.
During compaction tests, a series of tests to
measure the water permeability coefficient are made
on samples prepared in compaction moulds under
standard Proctor conditions (OMC). It should be noted
that the permeability coefficient values are taken for a
short duration (7 days).
Values 4 Interpretation of Results
3500
4.1 Influence of Cement on the Optimal Properties
19
2:13
Compaction characteristics of soils are generally
1.51
evaluated with reference to two important parameters:

123
Geotech Geol Eng (2015) 33:10671079 1071

Optimun water content, w opn (%)

Maximum dry unit weight, dmax
OMC and MDD. OMC and MDD were determined by 18.00 20.00
conducting Standard Proctor tests. Standard Proctor
19.00
test (NF P 94-093) was conducted on reconstituted 17.50
soils including the natural soil and the soilcement

(kN/m 3)
18.00
mixtures. 17.00
Water content

The dry density qd of the soil is a parameter that is maximum dry unit weight 17.00

necessary to know in order to determine the dosage 16.50

16.00
used since it is known that the cement depends on the
mass of soil in place. In addition, a low dry density 16.00 15.00
usually implies a high water content that must be taken 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

into account for the cement to obtain a mixture with a Cement percent, (%)

suitable (w/c) ratio. Generally, the cement percentages Fig. 3 Evolution of the maximum dry density and the
used for mixing vary in the range of 26% and hence immediate optimum water content versus cement dosage
five cement contents (2, 3, 4, 5 and 6% by weight)
were considered.
The effect of cement treatment on optimum water total surface of the particles treated with the mixtures
content and maximum dry unit weight of soil was of fine-grained cement added.
shown in Fig. 2. Similarity observed between the Osula (1996) confirms this and shows that the
behavior of mixtures and behavior of a compacted Optimum water content is shifted to the higher water
material at different energies (Holtz and Kovacs content and dry density is equal to or slightly lower
1996). Everything happens as if we compact the silt when soil is treated with hydraulic binder. As expected,
without treatment with cement at low energies. This dry densities were closely related to the clay soil
phenomena may find an explanation in the increased content, generally decreasing with increasing clay
level of fines induced by the addition of cement. content, and relatively independent of cement content.
Figure 3 shows the influence of the addition of the Changes in compaction characteristics are significant
cement on the optimum characteristics of compaction. at lower percentages of cement whereas changes of
The incorporation of cement permitted the reduction compaction characteristics of treated soils are minimal
of the density of the material slightly, its value at higher percentages of cement. Moreover, Venkatara-
decreases from 1.67 to 1.62. In contrast, the corre- ma and Kumar (2011) show that the compaction
sponding water content is influenced by the addition of characteristics of soils are not affected by the addition
cement with an increase from 16 to 18.95 %, this is of cement.
due to the hydration of cement. The increase of the
optimum water content is due to the increase in the 4.2 Influence of Cement on the Evolution
of Permeability
17.00
Very few studies was done on the effect of dosages of
16.50
cement on the water permeability. Furthermore, citing
Dry unit weight (kN/m 3)

16.00
d max = 16.7 kN /m3
the work presented by Bahar et al. (2004) on clay
15.50
wOPN = 16 %
Sr = 72.73 % sandy soil from Algiers, Consoli et al. (2009) on a
cemented soil, Dadouch (2011) on silty soil and
15.00
Sr = 1 Kogbara et al. (2014) on the read site soil. Therefore,
Sol (OPN) + 0% ciment
14.50 Sol + 2% ciment this work seeks to compare and complete this
Sol + 4% ciment

14.00
Sol + 6% ciment 0.9 literature. The results of effect of cement content on
the water permeability coefficient is shown in Fig. 4.
13.50
A reduction of the water permeability coefficient is
13.00
observed when adding a certain dosage of cement. It
5 8 10 13 15 18 20 23 25 28 30
Water content (%)
decreases from 4.93 9 10-5 to 6.15 9 10-7 cm/s
when cement content increases from 2 to 6%. A
Fig. 2 Immediate influence of cement on the standard Proctor similar observation has been reported (Bahar et al.

123
1072 Geotech Geol Eng (2015) 33:10671079

2004; Dadouch 2011). So it is clear that the material is was prepared by mixing the soil with a prescribed
stabilized and converges to a value of almost constant cement dosage rate.
permeability. This shows that stabilization of the soil The development of resistance to compression in a
with cement could lead to a better mechanical simple function of the age of the different mixtures,
performance and lower permeability. compacted at their optimum level is shown in Fig. 5. It
was specified that the results presented corresponds for
4.3 Influence of the Cement and the (W/C) Ratio each curing time to an average calculated over three
on the Evolution of the Compressive Strength specimens. This result shows that the compressive
strength increases in a rapid manner up to 28 days, this
Laboratory resistance used for the design is the is explained by the rapid decrease of the water content
resistance at 28 days (Rc28) (Terashi 2005). Accord- caused by the drying of the surface regions (Goual
ing to Bruce 2001; Topolnicki 2004 this resistance is et al. 2012). An 85% rate of resistance was acquired in
between 0.2 and 2 MPa for the cohesive soils and 28 days. After a period of 28 days, the reduction of
between 0.5 and 5 MPa for granular soil (depending water in the tubes becomes increasingly slow, which
on the dosage used). However, other authors (Kawa- explains the slow change of the mechanical strength.
saki et al. 1981; Ganne et al. 2010) obtain results up to In other words, we record a very small change of the
7 and 30 MPa for clays and sands respectively. compressive strength between 28 and 180 days. It
Various researchers have worked on the appear- should be noted that the resistance of untreated soil
ance, evolution of resistance on hydraulic binder- does not have a marked shift to a value that goes from
treated soil at different percentages. The unconfined 0.41 to 0.54 MPa. In contrast, the resistance of the
compression test is one of the laboratory tests treated soil from 2 % are above 1.75 MPa, as is
widely used in pavement and soil stabilization recommended for subgrade according to British
applications. The simple compression test is often Standard BS 19241953.
used as an index for quantifying soil improvement The effect of the addition of cement on the simple
due to treatment (Shrestha 2008; Sariosseiri and compressive strength of the soil is shown in Fig. 6, for
Muhunthan 2009; Viana Da Fonseca et al. 2009; paraffined and stored specimens in the air laboratory
Goual et al. 2012; Asgari et al. 2013). and those immersed specimens. It is found that the
To investigate the effect of cement dose and the treatment led to a significant increase in resistance to
water cement ratio on the strength of the mixed
cementsoil, a series of tests were conducted on
several specimens prepared from soil. Each specimen 6
Rc (MPa)
Compressive Strength (MPa)
Water permeability coefficient (cm/s)

-5
8.0x10
-5 4
7.0x10
-5
6.0x10
-5
5.0x10
Compressive Strength (MPa)
-5
4.0x10
Cement 6%
2
-5 Cement 5%
3.0x10 Cement 4%
7 day curing time
Cement 3%
-5
2.0x10 Cement 2%
Naturel
-5
1.0x10
0
0x10
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 0
Cement content, (%) 0 40 80 120 160 200
Curing ages (in days)
Fig. 4 Effect of cement content on the water permeability
coefficient Fig. 5 Compressive strength versus ages

123
Geotech Geol Eng (2015) 33:10671079
the simple compression. From a dosage of 4 % of
cement, the samples stored up to 180 days have a
simple compressive strength of about 4.5 MPa, about
ten times that of the untreated material. This value of
resistance increases significantly when the percentage
of cement ranges from 4 to 6 % of the samples stored
up to 180 days.
The figure also shows that the curing time increases
the compressive strength and the effect of curing is
more pronounced for higher cement contents.
This is expected since the soilcement mixture
requires time to gain strength. Our results are similar
to those found in the literature. On two silts treated at
5 % cement and 1 % lime, shows an increase in
resistance, Le Borgne (2010) on a silt treated with two
types of cement (CEMI and CEMII) at 6 % cement
?1.5 % lime, observed the same trend. Data produced
by various researchers show strong, often linear,
correlation between compressive strength and cement
content (Kenai et al. 2006; Morel et al. 2007; Consoli
et al. 2007; Kitazume and Nishimura 2009; Marzano
et al. 2009; Hyug-Moon 2010).
This increase in resistance can be explained by the
hydration of cement which leads to a pozzolanic-
reaction permitting a gain of resistance at long term
CDIT (2002) and the mixing conditions. Bruchon
(2010) showed that the more plastic limit wp, is high,
6 between the compression strength (at 7, 28 and
Rc (MPa)
Compressive strength (MPa)
2 7 days
0
0 2
Cement Content, C (%)
Fig. 6 Evolution of the compressive strength versus cement
dosage for the different ages of conservation
1073
the compressive strength of the treated soil is big
(Fig. 7). For this, the value of the plastic limit wp of
the untreated material is 21.03 % compared to 24 % of
the treated one with 6 % cement. In other words, the
plasticity index decreases when the cement increases
and therefore, the resistance increases. Indeed, the
results presented in Fig. 8 show this trend and it is
observed that the increase in the plasticity index or
liquid limit reduces compressive strength are in good
agreement with those found by Kenai et al. (2006),
Morel et al. (2007), Consoli et al. (2007), Kitazume
and Nishimura (2009), Marzano et al. (2009), Hyug-
Moon (2010).
Other parameters may explain the increase in
compressive strength, on the one hand, it is the dry
density qd, on the other hand, the water to cement (W/
C) ratio. Variation of strength of the cemented soil
under the effect of different water cement ratios was
investigated after a constant curing period. For this
purpose, tests were carried out on series of specimens.
Each specimen was prepared at four different water
cement ratios of 2.46, 4.3, and 8.3.
The relationship between strength and density has
been proven by testing in the past 20 years (Houben
and Guillaud 1994; Venkatarama Reddy and Gupta
2005; Morel et al 2007; Kwon et al. 2010). This dry
density that is related with dry compressive strength is
one of major parameters to control the soil strength. As
regards the second parameter, there is a relationship
14 days
28 days
90 days
180 days
After 7 days of immerssion
C (%)
4 6 8
Fig. 7 Evolution of the compressive strength of material versus
(C/W) ratio and plasticity limit of soil (Bruchon 2010)
123
1074 Geotech Geol Eng (2015) 33:10671079

6 6
Rc (MPa) Rc (MPa) 7 days
7 days
28 days 28 days
6% Cement 180 days
5

5
Compressive strength (MPa)

4% Cement

Compressive strength (MPa)

4

3 4
0.9 -0.41
Rc = 10 *[w/c]
2% Cement

3
0.8
Rc = 10 *[w/c]-0.41
1
0% Cement

Ip (%) w/c (%)

0 2
4 6 8 10 12 14 2 4 6 8 10
Plasticity Index, Ip (%) Water / Cement ratio, (w/c)

Fig. 8 Relationship between compression strength and plas- Fig. 9 Relationship between compression strength and water to
ticity index cement ratio

180 days of curing) and the water to cement ratio (W/
C) obtained from tests with different soilcement
mixtures. This relationship was demonstrated in
various studies of literature if samples were prepared
at the optimum moisture content (Ruenkrairegsa and
Sanguandeekul 1977; Jacobson et al. 2005; Horpibul-
suk et al. 2007; Sunitsakul and Sawatparnich 2008;
Song et al. 2010; Sunitsakul et al. 2012; Chan 2014).
However, Modmoltin and Voottipruex (2008) pro-
posed using the correlation between compressive
strength and water to cement ratio:
A 4.4 Water Resistance
Rc
W=C B
where A and B Fitting parameters determined from the
statistical analysis, W/C: water to cement ratio.
Figure 9 show the effect of the water cement ratio
on the compressive strength of the stabilized soils and
the evolution of strength measured at each curing time.
It is observed that the typical decrease of the
compressive strength as a function of augmentation
w/c. Results obtained after 7, 28 and 180 days of
curing show the typical Abrams-law trend with W/C
(Neville, 1995). Figure 9 reveals also that higher W/C
ratios resulted in strength loss. It is being proposed the
existence of an explicit relation unconfined
compressive strength (Rc) various water/cement ratio
(W/C). A way to make the variation rate of W/C
compatible is through the application of a power equal
to 0.41 to the three studied ages (7, 28 and 180 days)
herein as shown in Fig. 9. A similar conclusion was
reported by Kasama et al. (2007). This is a significant
factor since the W/C ratio is related to the viscosity of
the mixture, which in turn has a major influence in
such cement-based applications as jet grouting (Essler
and Yoshida 2004).
After immersion, the evolution with immersion time
of compression strength of cement-treated specimens
compacted at their optimum level is presented in
(Fig. 5). It is reported that it was not possible to
determine the effect of immersion on the compression
strength of untreated specimens as they almost
immediately began to sinter when immersed in water.
Their compression strength was immeasurable once
immersed. The compressive strength after 7 days of
immersion in water at 6 % of cement, reaches a value
of about 3.80 MPa. This value is higher than that
obtained for the untreated case and stored for 180 days
in the open air. These results clearly show the water

123
Geotech Geol Eng (2015) 33:10671079 1075

resistance of the specimens treated compared to the 500

E50 (MPa)
untreated. This shows the interest of the method of
cement treatment on the significant improvement in

Modulus of Elasticity, E 50 (MPa)

400
mechanical performance of the mixture in saturated
conditions. The criterion of water resistance can be
accepted for a treaty at dosages ranging from 4 to 6 %
300
cement. Table 3 shows the results of compressive
strength in 14 days cure, the compressive strength
after 07 days of curing, followed by 7 days immersion 200
at 21 C, and the ratio between these two resistance. 7 Days
The results show that the values of the ratio (R0 /R) are 14 Days
28 Days
still above the threshold of 60%, indicating according 100 90 Days
180 Days
to the Soils Treatment Guide (STG; LCPC-SETRA
2000), good resistance to immersion. The material has B (%)
a much higher threshold ratio which indicates insen- 0

sitivity immersion. 0 2 4 6 8

According to the British Standard, BS 19241953, Cement Percent, B (%)

the compressive strength should be 17 5 kg/cm2,
for a soilcement used in lower pavement layer or
possibly in base layer, but with a protective thick
bituminous coating. For the case of our material,
considering a water strength ratio higher than 80 % for
6 % treatment of cement and a compression strength
for 22 kg/cm2.
4.5 Influence of Cement on Elastic Modulus, E
From a practical point of view, it is wise to investigate
the effect of the used cement dosage on the secant
modulus at 50 % of the strain values at failure which
can be denoted as E50%. The secant modulus E50 is
evaluated at the stress level equal to 50 % of
compressive strength from stressstrain curves. Fig-
ures 10 show the elastic modulus (E50) of the treated
soil versus cement content (0, 2, 4 and 6%) and at
different curing time (7, 14, 28, 90 and 180 days). It
can be observed that modulus of elasticity increased
significantly with cement content. Also the results
indicate that E50 value is changed by change of
Fig. 10 Variation of Youngs secant modulus E50 versus
cement content of different days curing period
moisture content or curing time for specimens treated
with cement, so there is an indirect relationship
between E50 values and moisture content (Asgari
et al. 2013). For example, E50 at 180 days is increased
from 80 to 490 MPa by addition of 6 % cement. Our
results are in accordance with different recent works in
the literature (Sariosseiri and Muhunthan 2009;
Ghobadi et al. 2014; Chan 2014). The variation of
E50 with curing time and binder content is well
consistent with the development of compressive
strength for designed materials. Thus, cement-treated
soils exhibit much more brittle behavior than non-
treated soils.
The deformation modulus, which reflects the resis-
tance capacity to elastic and plastic deformation, is an
important input parameter in any analysis of soils
behavior that includes deformations. Therefore, it
exists potentially a quantitative correlation between

Table 3 Water resistance

Natural 2 % Ca 3 % Ca 4 % Ca 6 % Ca

r (7 days; MPa) 5.35 25.59 30.07 33.91 41.08

R (14 days; MPa) 4.35 26.62 29.82 36.73 46.07
R0 (14 days of which 7 last with immersion; MPa) Not measurable 16.76 15.48 28.28 38.01
R0 /R (%) 62 52 76 82
a
Cement

123
1076 Geotech Geol Eng (2015) 33:10671079

1000 present to describe the linear relationship between E50

E50 (MPa)
and UCS for solidified soils by cement. This is due
principally from different components of soils and the
Modulus of Elasticity, E50 (MPa)

different used binders.

E50 = 75.Rc
100

10
1 attribute to the silt of Guetna, Telagh city, GTR class
0.1
Fig. 11 Relationship between deformation modulus and com-
pressive strength
Rc and secant modulus (E50). In terms of this
relationship, many authors (Heilli 2000; Tang et al.
2000; Zhu et al. 2005; Qiao et al., 2007; Chen et al.
2010; Wei et al. 2011; Wang et al. 2013) have obtained
some valuable conclusions. The present results are
showed in Fig. 11 on solidified specimens with
cement. For this study, a function plotted and defined
by the curves fitting method is expressed by E50 = 75
Rc with E50 varying mainly between 20 and 500 MPa.
As shown in Table 4, it can be found that in most cases
E50 varies with compressive strength as a linear
function and this conclusion is widely accepted
according to the previous studies. However, no
generalized mathematical expression can be found at
5 Conclusion
7 Days
14 Days In this study, laboratory tests were performed on
28 Days
90 Days
natural silty soil extracted from the locality of Guetna,
180 Days of the Telagh region. The first part of this study
concerned about characterization of material used, a
particle size\80 microns of 56.80 % and a blue value
Rc (MPa) of the soil (clay measure of activity) of 1.23 permit to
0.3 1 3 10
A1h, according to the soil classification system, GTR
Compressive strength (MPa)
(2000). The second part of the study was devoted
toward investigating the ability to improve this soil
using the mixing technology method by measuring
their compressive strength and determining their
elastic modulus after hardening of the soil when
mixed with cement at different cement dosages and
watercement ratios. To achieve the optimum com-
position of the soilcement mixture, compaction tests
were performed on various mixtures at different
dosages. However, tests of simple compression at
different ages were conducted on specimens in the
compacted optimum Proctor normal (OPN) of each
mixture. The overall conclusions drawn from this
study concerning the studied Silt of Guetna, are as
follows:
1. The addition of cement increased the optimum
water content and decreased the maximum dry
unit weight of the soil.

Table 4 Comparison of fitting curves between E50 and compressive strength

Materials Functions Sources

Soils with cement E50 = (100200) UCSa Tang et al. (2000), Heilli (2000)
and Qiao et al. (2007)
Zincpolluted soils with cement E50 = (3060) UCSa Wei et al. (2011)
Sediments with cement, lime and fly ash E50 = (60170) UCSa Wang et al. (2013)
Sediment with cement E50 = 167.3 UCSa Zhu et al. (2005)
Leadpolluted soils with cement E50 = 57.2 UCSa ? 57.2 Chen et al. (2010)
Sediments with cement, lime and fly ash E50 = 119.91 UCSa Wang et al. (2013)
Silt with cement E50 = 75 Rcb Present study
a
UCS : Unconfined Compressive Strength
b
Rc: compressive strength

123
Geotech Geol Eng (2015) 33:10671079
2. It seems that for a curing time, the permeability of
the treated soil decreases when the cement dose
increases. This result is in good agreement with
literature. The explanation for this decrease in
permeability values based on the increasing
formation of cementitious products over time
from clog pores and thus reduce soil permeability.
This hypothesis is confirmed by the evolution of
the microstructure of the soil with curing time
(Choquette et al. 1987). The effect of density on
the permeability of the soil is difficult to assess, on
the other further study remains to be done.
3. The percentage of cement led to reduction in
plasticity index. Thus, cement added soils have
better workability. The increase in the plasticity
index or liquid limit reduces compressive
strength.
4. Cement treatment leads to significant increase in
compressive strength. This increase is higher
when the percentage of cement ranges from 4 to
6 % of the samples stored up to 180 days. We
show that the curing time increases the compres-
sive strength and the effect of curing is more
pronounced for higher cement contents. This
increase in resistance can be explained by the
hydration of cement which leads to a pozzolanic-
reaction permitting a gain of long-term resistance.
5. As the water cement ratio increases, the compres-
sive strength of the mixed soil decreases and the
decrease in the compressive strength is more
significant at higher values of the investigated
water cement ratios.
6. The compressive strength after 7 days of immer-
sion in water, reaches a value of about 3.80 MPa.
This value is higher than that obtained for the
untreated case and stored for 180 days in the open
air. These results clearly show the water resistance
of the treated specimens compared to the untreat-
ed. This shows the interest of the method of
cement treatment on the significant improvement
in mechanical performance of the mixture in
saturated conditions.
7. Also, it can be observed that modulus of elasticity
of soil increased significantly with cement con-
tent. The gain in strength and modulus increase as
cement content increases. For this study, a func-
tion plotted and defined by the curves fitting
method is expressed by E50 = 75 Rc with E50
varying mainly between 20 and 500 MPa.
1077
However, no generalized mathematical expres-
sion can be found at present to describe the linear
relationship between E50 and UCS for solidified
soils by cement. This is due principally from
different components of soils and the different
used binders.
Perspectives of this work are numerous, as the
subject is rich in topics research and practical appli-
cations. Laboratory regarding the parametric study, it
would be interesting to further study focusing only on
clay soils because of the wide variety of minerals. The
watercement coupling is still poorly explained in
these watersensitive soils. Determining the dosage
threshold systematically on a large number of different
soils allow us to establish a classification of soils and
their suitability for treatment.
References
Abdo J (2008) Traitement des sols en place aux liants hy-
drauliques. Actes de la journee valorisation des sols med-
iocres, Paris, 10 decembre
Asgari MR, Dezfuli AB, Bayat M (2013) Experimental study on
stabilization of a low plasticity clayey soil with cement/
lime. DOI, Arab J Geosci. doi:10.1007/s12517-013-1173-1
Bahar R, Benazzoug M, Kenai S (2004) Performance of compacted
cement-stabilised soil. Cem Concr Compos 26:811820
Brandl H (1981). Alteration of soil parameters by stabilization
with lime. Actes de la 10e`me Conference Internationale sur
la Mecanique des Sols et les Fondations, Stockholm,
Sue`de, p 587594
Bruce DA (2001) Practitioners guide to the deep mixing
method. Ground Improv 5(3):95100
Bruchon J-F (2010) Impact des proprietes physiques dun sol sur
les proprietes mecaniques dun melange sol-ciment. Projet
dinitiation a` la recherche, Ecole Nationale des Ponts et
Chaussees, p 32
CDIT (2002) The deep mixing methodprinciple, design and
construction, p 121
Chan C-M (2014) Influence of mix uniformity on the induced
solidification of dredged marine clay. Environ Earth Sci
71:10611071
Chen L, Liu S, Du Y, Jin F (2010) Unconfined compressive
strength properties of cement solidified/stabilized lead-
contaminated soils. Chin J Geotech Eng 32(12):18981903
(In Chinese). http://www.cgejournal.com/CN/abstract/
abstract9133.shtml
Choquette M, Berube MA, Locat J (1987) Mineralogical and mi-
crotextural changes associated with lime stabilization of
marine clays from eastern Canada. Appl Clay Sci 2:215232
Consoli NC, Foppa D, Festugato L, Salvagni Heineck K (2007)
Key parameters for strength control of artificailly cemented
soils. J Geotech Geoenviron Eng 133(2):197205
123
1078
Consoli NC, Da Silva Lopes L, Foppa D, Heineck KS (2009)
Key parameters dictating strength of lime/cement-treated
soils. Geotech Eng 162(2):111118
Dadouch (2011) Etude des proprietes physiques et mecaniques
des materiaux traites aux liants hydrauliques. Magister en
Genie Civil, Option : Materiaux innovants dans le genie
civil
de Brito Galvao TC, Elsharief A, Gustavo FS (2004) Effects of
lime on permeability and compressibility of two tropical
residual soils. J Environ Eng 130(8):881885
Essler R, Yoshida H (2004) Jet grouting. In: Moseley MP,
Kirsch K (eds) Ground improvement, 2nd edn. Taylor &
Francis, New York, pp 160196
Farouk A, Shahien MM (2013) Ground improvement using soil
cement columns: experimental investigation. Alex Eng J
52:733740
Ganne P, Huybrechts N, De Cock F, Lameire B, Maertens J
(2010). Soil mix walls as retaining structurescritical
analysis of the material design parameters. International
conference on geotechnical challenges in Megacities,
Moscow
Ghobadi MH, Abdilor Y, Babazadeh R (2014) Stabilization of
clay soils using lime and effect of pH variations on shear
strength parameters. Bull Eng Geol Environ 73:611619
Goual I, Goual MS, Taibi S, Abou-Bekr N (2012) Amelioration
des proprietes d un tuf naturel utilise en technique routie`re
saharienne par ajout dun sable calcaire. Eur J Environ Civ
Eng 16(6):744763
GTR LCPC-SETRA (2000). Guide Technique pour la realisa-
tion des remblais et des couches de forme, fascicule I,
principes generaux, p 166
GTS LCPC-SETRA (2000) Guide Technique. Traitement des
sols a` la chaux et/ou aux liants hydrauliques. Application a`
la realisation des remblais et des couches de forme, LCPC-
SETRA (Paris-Bagneux), p 240
Heilli K (2000) Stabilization of clay with inorganic by products.
J Mater Civ Eng 12(4):307309
Holtz R, Kovacs W (1996) Introduction a` la geotechnique.
Edition de lEcole Polytechnique de Montreal. p 808
Horpibulsuk S, Sirilerdwattna W, Rachan R, Katkan W (2007).
Analysis of strength development in pavement stabiliza-
tion: a field investigation. In: Proceedings of the 16th
southeast Asian geotechnical conference, p 579583
Houben H, Guillaud H (1994) Earth construction: a compre-
hensive guide. Intermediate Technology Publications,
London
Jacobson JR, Filz GM, Mitchell JK (2005) Factors affecting
strength of limecement columns based on a laboratory
study of three organic soils. Deep Mixing 05, Stockholm,
p 8794
Jegandan S, Liska M, Osman AA-M, Al-Tabbaa A (2010)
Sustainable binders for soil stabilisation. ICE J Ground
Improv 163(1):5361
Kasama K, Zen K, Iwataki K (2007) High-strengthening of
cement-treated clay by mechanical dehydration. Soils
Found 47(2):171184
Kawasaki TA, Niina S, Saitoh Y, Suzuki, Honjo Y (1981) Deep
mixing method using cement hardening agent. 10th
ICSMFE, Stockholm, p 721724
Kenai S, Bahar R, Benazzoug M (2006) Experimental analysis
of the effect of some compaction methods on mechanical
123
Geotech Geol Eng (2015) 33:10671079
properties and durability of cement stabilized soil. J Mater
Sci 41(21):69566964
Kitazume M, S Nishimura (2009) Influence of specimen
preparation and curing conditions on unconfined com-
pression behaviour of cement-treated clay. Deep Mixing
09, Okinawa
Kogbara RB, Al-Tabbaa A, Stegemann JA (2014) Comparisons
of operating envelopes for contaminated soil stabilised/
solidified with different cementitious binders. Environ Sci
Pollut Res 21:33953414
Kwon HM, Le AT, Nguyen NT (2010) Influence of soil grading
on properties of compressed cementsoil. KSCE J Civ Eng
14(6):845853
Le Borgne T (2010). Caracterisation et quantification des ele-
ments perturbateurs de prise lors du traitement des sols.
The`se de doctorat, Institut national polytechnique de Lor-
raine, Ecole National superieure de Geologie de Nancy
Le Runigo B, Ferber V, Cui YJ, Cuisinier O, Deneele D (2011)
Performance of lime-treated silty soil under long-term
hydraulic conditions. Eng Geol 118:2028
Marzano IP, Al-Tabbaa A, Grisolia M (2009) Influence of
sample preparation on the strength of cement-stabilised
clays. Deep Mixing 09, Okinawa
McCallister LD (1990) The effects of leaching on lime-treated
expansive clays. The`se de lUniversite du Texas, Arlington
Modmoltin C, Voottipruex P (2008) Influence of salts on strength
of cement-treated clays. Ground Improv 162(G11):
1526
Morel JC, Pkla A, Walker P (2007) Compressive strength testing
of compressed earth blocks. Constr Build Mater 21(2):
303309
Nalbantoglu Z, Tuncer ER (2001) Compressibility and hy-
draulic conductivity of a chemically treated expensive
clay. Can Geotech J 38:154160
Neville AM (1995) Properties of concrete. ELBS edition of 4th
edition of 1995. Longman Singapore Publishers Pvt Ltd.,
p 497505, 66774
NF P 94-51 (1993) Sols: reconnaissance et essais. Determina-
tion des limites dAtterberg-Limite de liquidite a` la cou-
pelle-limite de plasticite au rouleau, p 15
NF P 94-078 (1997) Sols: Reconnaissance et essais. Indice CBR
apre`s immersion-Indice CBR immediat-Indice Portant
Immediat
NF P 94-093 (1999) Sols: Reconnaissance et essais. Determi-
nation des references de compactage dun materiau
NF-P11-300 (1992) Execution des terrassements. Classification
des materiaux utilisables dans la construction des remblais
et couche de forme
Osinubi KJ, Nwaiwu CMO (2006) Compaction delay effects on
properties of lime-treated soil. J Mater Civ Eng 18(2):
250258
Osula DOA (1996) A comparative evaluation of cement and
lime modification of laterite. Eng Geol 42:7181
Qiao XC, Poon CS, Cheeseman CR (2007) Investigation into the
stabilization/solidification performance of Portland cement
through cement clinker phases. J Hazard Mater 139(2):
238243
Rajasekaran G, Rao S (2002) Permability characteristics of lime
treated marine clay. Ocean Eng 29:113127
Ruenkrairegsa T, Sanguandeekul, S (1977) Cement stabilization
of some selected weathered rock. In: Proceedings of the 5th
Geotech Geol Eng (2015) 33:10671079
southeast Asian conference on soil engineering,
pp 413426
Sariosseiri F, Muhunthan B (2009) Effect of cement treatment
on geotechnical properties of some Washington State soils.
Eng Geol 104(2009):119125
Saussaye L, Boutouil M, Baraud F, Leleyter L, Lemoine M,
Basset B, Lescarmontier D (2011) Traitement du limon de
Loucelles aux liants hydrauliques: Aspects physico-chim-
iques et geotechniques. rencontre universitaire, Tlemcen-
Algerie
Shenbaga RK, Havanagin VG (1999) Compressive strength of
cement stabilized fly ashsoil mixtures. Cem Concr Res
29(1999):673677
Shrestha R (2008) Soil mixing: A study on Brusselian sand
mixed with slag cement binder, M.Sc. Thesis, University of
Ghent, Belgium, p 80
Song Y-S, Yun J-M, Kim T-H (2010) Compression strength
properties of the hardened cement mortar mixed with
municipal incineration fine bottom ashes. Environ Earth
Sci 61:17031711
Sunitsakul J, Sawatparnich A (2008) Statistical model to predict
unconfined compressive strength of soilcement materials.
In: Proceedings of the 13th national convention on civil
engineering
Sunitsakul J, Sawatparnich A, Sawangsuriya A (2012) Predic-
tion of unconfined compressive strength of soilcement at
7 days. Geotech Geol Eng 30:263268
Szymkiewicz F (2011) Evaluation des proprietes mecaniques
du materiau soil-mixing. Universite Paris -Est, The`se de
doctorat
Tang Y, Liu H, Zhu W (2000) Study on engineering properties
of cement-stabilized soil. Chin J Geotech Eng 22(5):549
554 (in Chinese)
Terashi M (2005) Keynote lecture: Design of deep mixing in
infrastructure applications. Deep Mixing 05, Stockholm, p
K25K45
1079
Terashi M, Okumura T, Mitsumoto T (1977) Fundamental
properties of lime treated soil (1st report). Rep Port Harb
Res Inst 16(1):328
Topolnicki M (2004) In situ soil mixing. Ground Improv, 2nd
edition, edited by Moseley, M.P. and Kirsch, K., Chapter 9,
p 331423
Venkatarama Reddy BV, Gupta A (2005) Characteristics of
soilcement blocks using highly sandy soils. Mater Struct
(RILEM) 38(280):651658
Venkatarama R, Kumar P (2011) Cement stabilised rammed
earth. Part A: compaction characteristics and physical
properties of compacted cement stabilised soils. Mater
Struct 44:681693
Viana Da Fonseca A, Caberlon R, Consoli NC (2009) Strength
properties of sandy soilcement admixtures. Geotech Geol
Eng 27(6):681686
Walker P (1995) Strength, durability and shrinkage character-
istics of cement stabilized soil blocks. Cem Concr Compos
17(4):301310
Wang D, Abriak N-E, Zentar R (2013) Strength and deformation
properties of Dunkirk marine sediments solidified with
cement, lime and fly ash. Eng Geol 166(2013):9099
Wei M, Du Y, Zhang F (2011) Fundamental properties of
strength and deformation of cement solidified/stabilized
zinc contaminated soils. Rock Soil Mech 32(S2):306312
Xing H, Yang X, Xu C, Ye G (2009) Strength characteristics and
mechanisms of salt-rich soilcement. Eng Geol 103:3338
Yldz M, Soganc AS (2012) Effect of freezing and thawing on
strength and permeability of lime-stabilized clays. Sci Iran
A 19(4):10131017
Zhu W, Zhang C, Gao Y, Fan Z (2005) Fundamental mechanical
properties of solidified dredged marine sediment. J Zhe-
jiang Univ (Eng Sci) 39(10):15611565
123