1998
Catalog of Practical Papers
- V. SOILS
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a brief summary:
- 980579
“Identifying the Cause of Swelling Soils Using Soil Suction”
980579 “Identifying the Cause of Swelling Soils Using Soil
Suction”
Abstract: In Texas, State Highway # 6 in Brazos County is experiencing
significant changes in surface profile at several locations. The changes in
surface profile were noticed within a few months after construction. They
quickly became severe enough to adversely affect vehicle safety. The
longitudinal distance between the peak of the undulations is usually greater
than 30 m. Patching to maintain a reasonably safe surface profile has been
performed at least annually since construction. Routine site investigations
prior to construction did not reveal underlying soil conditions that could
produce these kinds of pavement distresses that appeared relatively soon after
the pavement subgrade was stabilized with lime. In this study, the area was
investigated using soil suction profiles to determine the origin(s) of the
pavement distresses manifested at the surface. Conclusions: Findings
indicated the swells were not caused by lime stabilization of sulfate bearing
soils but were the result of surface water flowing through deep cracks and/or
permeable soil layers to highly plastic expansive clays. Recommended remedial
measures to reduce subsequent swelling soils using soil suction profiles are
presented.
Seong-Wan Park, Robert L. Lytton, Joe W. Button. Texas
Transportation Institute. Tel: (409) 845-5982 Fax: (409) 845-6278. e-mail: spark@ttiadmin.tamu.edu.
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