A laboratory-scale experimental investigation on the performance of lime columns in expansive Ankara (Turkey) Clay

Swelling of expansive soils and associated movements of foundations cause serious problems to many structures. With the existing expansive clays in Ankara, capital city of Turkey, some light buildings, road pavements and buried pipelines have shown some damage. To avoid such damage, prior to construction expansive clays may be stabilized. There has been little work concerning the stabilization of Ankara Clay and this was concentrated on the lime mixture technique. The main objective of this study was to investigate the performance of the lime column technique on laboratory-scaled models to improve the physical, swelling, strength and consolidation characteristics of this clay. The characteristics of the treated samples were determined in terms of distance to the column and curing period. In general, the results suggested that the most effective zone for the lime migration developed at a distance approximately twice the column diameter and a curing period of 28 days generally seemed to be sufficient. Application of the technique provided a gain in strength between 40 and 80% and resulted in an increase in pre-consolidation pressure and a decrease in the compressibility characteristics of the treated soils, depending on the distance to the lime column. Construction of the column caused a drastic reduction in swell pressure, between 40 and 75%. Electronic Publication