The strength and microstructure of cemented sand-gravel (CSG) mixture containing fine-grained particles

Abstract The hardfill embankments are composed of cemented sand-gravel (CSG) mixtures. In some cases, however, sand and gravel used in the mixture contain fine-grained fraction. This paper aimed to study mechanical behavior microstructure CSG mixtures which base soil contains particles with different plasticity specifications. Various contents kaolinite bentonite were added a sand-cement cement uniaxial strength deformation modulus measured at two curing ages. According results, low mixtures, containing 10% additive exhibited maximum modulus, regardless type. family bentonite-containing higher cement, decreased increasing content. However, presented best performance from terms stiffness. Analyzing mineralogy SEM images showed that structure attained packing strong matrix was devolved inside fine additive. Furthermore, contributed hydration process cement.