Polynomial Models Controlling Strength of Zeolite-Cement-Sand Mixtures

Abstract

The improvement of local soils with cement and zeolite can provide great benefits, including strengthening slopesin slope stability problems, stabilizing problematic soils and preventing soil liquefaction. Recently, dosage methodologies are being developed for improved soils based on a rational criterion as it exists in concrete technology.The present study aims to quantify the influence of the amount of cement, zeolite, the porosity and the curing time in the evaluation of unconfined compressive strength (UCS) of zeolite-cemented sand mixtures. A program of unconfined compression tests considering three distinct voids ratio, four cement contents (varying from 2 to 8%), six zeolite contents (varying from 0 to 90%) and three curing time (7,28 and 90 days) was performed in this paper. The results show that UCS values of samples substantially increased with increasing zeolite content to an optimum value of 30% after 28 days of curing time. The rate of improvement is approximately between 20 to 80% and 20% to 60% for 28 and 90 days curing times respectively. Moreover, the polynomial models are shown to be appropriate one to estimate UCS values of zeolite-cemented mixtures. Additionally, the sensitivity analysis reveals the influence of parameters and the contribution of each coefficients in the polynomial model. Cement and zeolite content relates more strongly among relative density and curing time.