Experimental study of impact of cement treatment on the shear behavior of loess and clay

This study aims to evaluate the effects of cement on the mechanical behavior of loess and clayey soil, and various laboratory tests have been conducted to do so. Such laboratory tests as standard proctor compaction, large-scale direct shear, and consolidated-drained triaxial were performed. In current research, the cement percentages were 0, 4, and 8%—by dry weight of soil. The samples were cured for 7 days. Results of the investigation showed that cement treatment improves mechanical behavior remarkably; however, it changes the samples behavior from ductile to brittle and alters the failure mode. Additionally, the enhancement depends to the soil type. With increasing percentage of cement, the stress-strain behavior of specimens tends towards the behavior expected of over-consolidated soils.