Dynamic behavior of cement-stabilized organic-matter-disseminated sand under cyclic triaxial condition

Organic matter–disseminated sand (OMDS) is a problematic soil widely distributed in Hainan Province, China. OMDS is usually stabilized using cementitious materials to improve its bearing capacity. However, there is a lack of understanding of the dynamic characteristics of cement-stabilized OMDS. In this study, a series of unconsolidated undrained stress-controlled cyclic triaxial shear tests were conducted on OMDS samples stabilized by cement and lime. The cyclic triaxial behavior of cement-stabilized OMDS under various confining pressures, curing periods, and cement contents was studied. Through data fittings, the maximum elastic modulus (Emax), normalized elastic modulus (Ed/Emax), and maximum dynamic damping ratio (λmax) were obtained. Then, the effects of cement content, curing time, and initial confining pressure on Emax, Ed/Emax and λmax were systematically analyzed. Finally, the effectiveness of cement stabilization on the dynamic behavior of cement-stabilized OMDS was discussed by comparing the data with that of un-cemented OMDS. •Dynamic triaxial shear behavior of cement-stabilized organic sand is investigated.•Emax increases with confining pressure, cement content, and curing time.•Normalized dynamic elastic modulus (Ed/Emax) is independent of confining pressure.•λmax reduces with confining pressure, cement content, and curing time.