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Implementation of Centrifuge Technology for Clay Stabilization and Equipment Deployment

What Was the Need?

Potential vertical rise (PVR) is a parameter relevant to quantify the expected shrink-swell behavior of a soil profile that includes natural expansive soils. Expansive soils, which are particularly abundant in much of Texas, may be particularly detrimental to the long-term performance of highway pavements and other lightly-loaded structures. Currently available methods to determine PVR involve either the use of extensive correlations to index soil parameters that may not accurately predict swelling, or the direct measurement of soil swelling using prohibitively time-consuming testing protocols. In addition, methods to characterize the reduction in swelling from chemical treatment are highly empirical in nature, and likewise tend to rely solely on oversimplified index parameters.

What's the Solution?

This project demonstrated both the rigor and expediency with which swelling on natural and lime-treated expansive clays can be performed using centrifuge technology refined in this project, the Texas Swell Centrifuge. A testing program can now be implemented involving Texas Swell Tests on natural clays to expeditiously generate the swell curves needed to determine if a roadway project has an expansive clay problem and how to design a solution using chemical treatment.

Project Number

5-6048-05

Status

Completed

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Project Details

Start Date

11/21/2016

End Date

8/31/2019

Performing Institution(s)

Center for Transportation Research (CTR)

Research Team

RS: Jorge G. Zornberg

Sponsor

Project Manager

Joanne Steele

Contract Specialist

Barbara Davenport

Amount Funded

FY17: $138,240
FY18: $148,958
FY19: $202,584

Source

TxDOT RTI

Publications from this Project

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Functional Area

Construction and Maintenance

Index Terms

Soil tests
Soil stabilization
Centrifuges
Implementation
Technology transfer

Lead University

CTR

Researcher

Zornberg, Jorge G.

Geographic name

Austin, Tex.

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Record Added:

10/10/2017

Record Updated:

11/18/2022 5:30 AM EST

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