The use of geomaterials for road construction and geotechnical structuresis a definite prerequisite. However, in most cases, geomaterials are usually deficient or lacking in several of the properties necessary for their use as engineering materials. Such cases are aggravated when the engineer encounters problematic soils, which are normally susceptible to even the slightest of changes in environmental factors such as moisture-suction variations. Moreover, when such materials are adopted for engineering purposes, the roads and geotechnical structures have a tendency of either deteriorating at an alarming rate and/or failing altogether. In this study, innovative experimental methods and recently derived powerful analytical tools have been employed to develop several unique methods of enhancing the engineering properties of geomaterials. This paper essentially describes the foregoing and discusses the design and construction of such methods as Consolidation and Shear Stress (CSSR), Optimum Mechanical and Chemical (OPMC) Stabilization, SS (Suction-Stress), MCI (Moisture Control Interface) and Rerap (Replacement and Rapping) , developed in this study, for purposes of enhancing geomaterial and structural engineering properties. The study concludes that the methods developed are effective in enhancing engineering properties, whereas the proposed analytical tools can be quite useful in notonly evaluating post-construction structural and serviceability levels, but also determining vital parameters and inputs for numerical modelling and prediction for future design and construction. For the covering abstractsee ITRD E139491.
Samenvatting