Geomechanics and Engineering A

Volume 15, Number 6, 2018, pages 1143-1151

DOI: 10.12989/gae.2018.15.6.1143

Compaction techniques and construction parameters of loess as filling material

Chang-Ming Hu, Xue-Yan Wang, Yuan Mei, Yi-Li Yuan and Shan-Shan Zhang

Abstract

Loess often causes problems when used as a filling material in the construction of foundations. Therefore, the compaction technique, shear behavior, and bearing capacity of a filled foundation should be carefully considered. A series of tests was performed in this study to obtain effective compaction techniques and construction parameters. The results indicated that loess is strongly sensitive to water. Thus, the soil moisture content should be kept within 12%-14% when it is used as a filling material. The vibrating-dynamic combination compaction technique is effective and has fewer limitations than other methods. In addition, the shear strength of the compacted loess was found to increase linearly with the degree of compaction, and the soil\'s compressibility decreased rapidly with an increase in the degree of compaction when the degree of compaction was less than 95%. Finally, the characteristic value of the bearing capacity increased with an increase in the degree of compaction in a ladder-type way when the degree of compaction was within 92%-95%. Based on the test data, this paper could be used as a reference in the selection of construction designs in similar engineering projects.

Key Words

loess; field filling test; compaction techniques; construction parameters

Address

Chang-Ming Hu: College of Civil Engineering, Xi\'an University of Architecture and Technology, Xi\'an, China Xue-Yan Wang: College of Civil Engineering, Xi\'an University of Architecture and Technology, Xi\'an, China; College of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Xi\'an Polytechnic University, Xi\'an, China Yuan Mei, Yi-Li Yuan, Shan-Shan Zhang: College of Civil Engineering, Xi\'an University of Architecture and Technology, Xi\'an, China