Geotech Geol Eng (2009) 27:619629 DOI 10.

1007/s10706-009-9262-3

ORIGINAL PAPER

Compressibility Behavior of Fibrous Peat Reinforced with Cement Columns

Youventharan Duraisamy Bujang B. K. Huat Ratnasamy Muniandy

Received: 28 July 2007 / Accepted: 27 May 2009 / Published online: 10 June 2009 Springer Science+Business Media B.V. 2009

Abstract This paper presents the compressibility of brous peat reinforced with cylindrical cement columns. The effects of the cement column diameter on the compressibility have been investigated in this study. The results indicated that compressibility index Cc and Ca decreased with increasing diameter of the cement column. Specimens with 45 mm (area ratio = 0.09) diameter and 60 mm (area ratio = 0.16) diameter of cement columns were cured for 7, 14 and 28 days, after which they were subjected to Rowe Cell consolidation test. Results are also presented from tests conducted on groups of cement columns using four (area ratio = 0.04) and nine (area ratio = 0.09) columns of 15 mm diameter each to investigate the inuence of the number of cement columns on compressibility of peat. Apart from that various proportions of cement were used to form cement columns in order to study the inuence. Based on the results obtained, it shows that cement columns can successfully reduce the compressibility of brous peat. Keywords Cement columns Compressibility Deep soil mixing Fibrous peat Organic soil Rowe Cell consolidation

1 Introduction Peat represents the extreme form of soft soil. It is an organic soil which consists more than 70% of organic matters. Peat deposits are found where conditions are favorable for their formation. In Malaysia, some three million hectares of land is covered with peat. While in Indonesia, peat covers about 26 million hectares of the country land area. Two third of the world coverage of tropical peat are in South East Asia. Since the coverage of peat is quite extensive, utilization of marginal soil has been required in the recent years. Hence, suitable geotechnical design parameters and construction techniques are needed for this type of ground condition. Peat poses serious problems in construction due to its long-term consolidation settlements even when subjected to a moderate load (Jarret 1995). As such, peat is considered unsuitable for supporting foundations in its natural state. Various construction techniques have been carried out to support embankments over peat deposits risking bearing failures and settlement of these embankments remains excessively large and continues for many years. Besides settlement, stability problems during construction such as localized bearing failures and slip failures need to be considered. Deep Soil mixing (DSM) also referred to as Lime Cement Column Method or Cement Columns, invented by Kjeld Paus 30 years ago. It is a form of soil improvement involving the mechanical mixing of in-situ soft and weak soils with a cementitious

Y. Duraisamy (&) University Malaysia Pahang, Kuantan, Malaysia e-mail: tharan79@yahoo.com B. B. K. Huat R. Muniandy University Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia

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compound such as lime, cement or a combination of both in different proportions. Dry DSM method has been used in Sweden and Finland since 1967 for improvement in soft clays and organic soils to increase the stability and to reduce the settlements of embankments. This method seems to work well for soft silty clay though its application for peat is yet to be proven. Thus, the authors initiated this laboratory based study including cement columns in peats prior to full scale test in order to evaluate the performance.

600 mm

Handle

in = 20.5mm out = 27mm

Air Valve Water Tube

1000 mm

2 Experimental Design and Laboratory Work The main objective of this research was to nd out the effects of cement column on compressibility when installed in brous peat. Apart from that the researcher was also interested to examine the peculiar engineering behavior of tropical peat with respect to their compressibility characteristics due to variation in ber content and organic content. Meanwhile the index properties such as natural water content, organic content, liquid limit, specic gravity and density of brous peats were obtained to establish suitable correlation. Understanding the engineering properties and compressibility characteristics of brous peat will be handy for engineers in determining suitable ground improvement method. Thus, proper construction and foundation design guide for brous peats could be outlined for future developments in peat ground. 2.1 Sample Preparation Undisturbed samples of brous peats were taken from three different locations in Banting (located on the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia) by using a sampling tube. A suitable auger was designed and fabricated to collect undisturbed brous peat samples as shown in Fig. 1. The handle is formed of a 60 cm cross bar and the stem is 100 cm height. The cylindrical tube is 150 mm (internal) in diameter. The upper part of the cylindrical hollow body is tted with a cover plate. Meanwhile the lower part of the cylindrical tube is sharpened to cut roots as the auger is slowly rotated into the peat ground during sampling. The thin tube is tted with a valve, which is left open during sampling to release both air and water pressure. The valve is then closed prior to withdrawal of the tube

Top Cover Screw

Sampler Cylinder Cutting edge

230 mm

in = 150 mm

Fig. 1 Engineering drawing of peat sampler

with the peat sample enclosed, thus providing a vacuum effect to help the sample in place. Soon after the sampler is withdrawn, the cylindrical tube is sealed with parafn wax. Once in the laboratory, the top cover on the cylindrical tube is opened to extract the sample into the Rowe Cell. This sampler is suitable for sampling peat up to a depth of 1 m only. The auger enables the extraction of peat core sample of 150 mm diameter by 230 mm length. The top and bottom of the specimen is trimmed. Fibrous soil such as peat is easily disturbed therefore the trimming process is carried out carefully. Furthermore, the trimming process is carried out quickly to minimize changes in the water content of the soil sample. Sample is then tested using Rowe Cell to overcome most of the disadvantages of the conventional oedometer apparatus when performing consolidation tests on low permeability soils, including non-uniform deposits. The most important features are the ability to

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Geotech Geol Eng (2009) 27:619629 Fig. 2 The experimental set up of using Rowe Cell
GDS Cell Pressure Controller Data Logger

621

Displacement Transducer

Computer

Rowe Cell

GDS Back Pressure Controller

control drainage and to measure pore water pressure during the course of consolidation tests. Figure 2 shows the experimental set up of Rowe Cell consolidation test. This system consists of Rowe Cell consolidation cell and GDS pressure/volume controllers. The size of the cell used in this research is 150 mm in diameter and 50 mm in height. The arrangement of Rowe Cell for two-way vertical drainage is diagrammatically shown in Fig. 3. Consolidation is started by opening the drainage outlets (valve A and valve D) and at the same instant starting the clock. The primary consolidation phase is completed when the pore pressure has fallen to the value of the back pressure. Test is continued until the secondary compression took place. To investigate the inuence of the diameter of columns, a single cement column is placed at the center of the cell containing peat sample. A portion of the peat is taken out from the cell using a PVC tube

and replaced with dry cement powder to form the cement column as shown in Fig. 4. The diameter of the cement column is 45 mm (area ratio = 0.09) and 60 mm (area ratio = 0.16). The samples are cured for 7, 14 and 28 days in a soaking basin as shown in Fig. 5. After the curing days, Rowe Cell consolidation test is carried out on the samples consecutively. Meanwhile group columns of four (area ratio = 0.04) and nine (area ratio = 0.09) cement columns are formed using 15 mm diameter PVC tube at the spacing of 2d (2 times the value of column diameter) to investigate the inuence of group cement columns in reducing compressibility of peat. The proportions of cement to peat ratio chosen are (100:0), (75:25) and (25:75). Based on past researchers recommendations and historical data, the authors chose typical dosage rate commonly used for peat 100 kg/m3, which corresponds to nine percent by weight of dry soil to form cement columns.

Fig. 3 Arrangement of Rowe Cell for consolidation test (Head 1986)

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60mm Cement column 50mm Peat

2.2 Testing Programs Index properties of peat used in the classication system of peat namely the water content, organic content, specic gravity, ber content, degree of humication and Atterberg limits were determined based on test procedures according to the British Standard BS1377: 1990, Methods of test for soils for civil engineering purposes. Apart from the classifying tests, compressibility behavior of the peat was determined by Rowe Cell consolidation test for both the natural (untreated) and cement column installed peat samples. Testing on samples obtained from eight boreholes was replicated six times for conrmation and accuracy of results. Due to the large number of specimens, the testing procedures were separated into phases and sample identication system was developed to assign each specimen with identifying labels. Table 1 illustrates the sample identication system used, type of column, dimensions of cement column and the area ratio.

150mm
Fig. 4 Dimension of specimen with cement column

Pressure increment is applied at 20, 40, 80, 160, and 320 kN/m2. Additional pressure is placed on the soil specimen to determine the soil behavior at higher pressure. Each pressure increment is maintained for 24 h. The test started with a vertical pressure of 20 kN/m2 and deformation transducer readings with corresponding time observations are recorded using data logger, which is connected to a computer. Basically pressure is maintained for 24 h. After 24 h, the same procedure is repeated with different applied pressure. Diaphragm pressure is increased to give the next value of effective stress. Meanwhile excess water is allowed to drain from behind the diaphragm (valve F) if necessary. The pore pressure should then be allowed to reach equilibrium before proceedings to the next consolidation stage. Diameter and the height of the sample are measured after removing the cell body from the base. The authors also took two or more representative specimens for moisture content measurements. Half of the sample is air dried to reveal the fabric and any preferential drainage paths, which have affected the test behavior. Time-deformation graphs are plotted and settlements are determined using GDSLAB control and acquisition software. Parameters such as Cc and Ca were produced automatically using software without undergoing normal manual calculation.

3 Results and Discussion One of the objectives of this study was to nd the relationship between the basic geotechnical properties of brous peat with index parameters such as natural water content, organic content and liquid limit. It must also be appreciated that compared with soils of mineral origin, the peat, in particular those of the tropical genesis, has only recently been given attention. As such even determination methods of some of the basic properties are still being researched. In some cases no consensus has been reached, either with respects to the methods, nor details of any given methods. However, for ease of comparison, the most commonly used methods of

Fig. 5 Method used to cure peat-cement column sample

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Geotech Geol Eng (2009) 27:619629 Table 1 Sample identication system Column Type Diameter (mm) 45 45 60 60 15 15 Length (mm) 25 50 25 50 50 50 Area ratio 0.09 0.09 0.16 0.16 0.04 0.06

623

SC1 SC2 SC3 SC4 GC1 GC2

Single Single Single Single Group (2 9 2) Group (3 9 3)

recorded values in Table 2 fullled this statement. Further more the liquid limit was in the range of 200 500% as reported by Huat (2004). Engineering properties such as specic gravity and bulk density of the samples were within the range as reported by Huat (2004).

3.2 Correlations of Index Properties As mentioned before, one of the objectives of this paper was to study the relationship of the basic geotechnical properties of brous peat with some of the easily determined parameters such as natural water content, organic content or liquid limit. Comparison was made with the published correlations of the more established organic soils of the temperate genesis. Figure 6 shows the empirical relationships between organic content (OC) and liquid limit (LL) which has been proposed by Skempton and Petley (1970) for temperate peat. However, control line that represents Eq. 1 does not seem to t well in the case of tropical peat. In the case of tropical peat studied in Malaysia, the best t line of the samples is given in Eq. 2 (OC in fraction). Liquid limit of the tropical peat is in the range from 150 to 400%. In general, the liquid limit of peat increases with increase in organic content. Using statistical analysis, the coefcient of correlation (R2) value between liquid limit and organic content of Banting peat was 0.6178 (if R2 value in between 0.56 and 0.80 is a good correlation). Thus a thorough experimental data is required to further support and verify this equation.

determination of soil basic properties were used in this study. 3.1 Soil Description Fibrous peat sample was obtained from marine and continental deposits on the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia. It consists primarily of low plasticity nes; some ne to medium sands and it is dark brown in color. Characterization tests were performed according to the USDA classication system and Von Post Scale. Soil classication tests were carried out on each soil sample obtained from eight boreholes in accordance with accepted BS 1377: 1990 and ASTM ranges. The average results of the characterization tests are in Table 2. The Atterberg limits were determined on the soil particles passing the 475 lm sieve. As seen in Table 2, a fairly signicant increase in liquid limit with the increase in natural water content. Huat (2004) stated that the natural water content of peat in West Malaysia is ranging from 200 to 700% and with organic content in the range of 5095%. The

Table 2 Index properties of brous peat samples BH Water content (%) 266 330 350 181 241 140 286 300 Liquid limit (%) 285 350 398 250 275 240 310 330 Organic content (%) 76 84 88 73 75 70 77 80 Von post scale H5 H4 H4 H7 H6 H8 H5 H8 Fiber content (%) 65 75 77 55 58 32 68 31 Specic gravity (Gs) 1.52 1.45 1.42 1.55 1.53 1.56 1.51 1.49 Void ratio (e) 7.541 9.535 10.48 5.522 6.536 4.125 7.895 4.824 Bulk density (mg/m3) 0.922 0.834 0.811 1.008 0.856 1.019 0.956 0.996

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

BH Boreholes

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624 Fig. 6 Liquid limit vs. organic content

Geotech Geol Eng (2009) 27:619629

Fig. 7 Dry density vs. natural water content

LL 50 500 OC

LL 30 300 OC: 2 Figure 7 shows the relationship of dry density, qd (mg/m3) and natural water content, w (%). A control line for temperate peat in the district of central The Netherlands was constructed, based on the Eq. 3 proposed by Den Haan (1997). Data collected from the tropical peat sample was plotted on the same gure and both the sample t close to each other. However, for identication of tropical peat, a special

equation was formed as Eq. 4. Using statistical analysis, the coefcient of correlation (R2) value between dry density and natural water content of Banting peat was 0.7828. qd 35:075w0:856
0:804

4 qd 22:422w Specic gravity of peat is affected by the organic constituents, and cannot therefore simply be set to somewhere near 2.652.75 as for in mineral soils.

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Geotech Geol Eng (2009) 27:619629 Fig. 8 Specic gravity vs. organic content

625

Den Haan (1997) for example quoted cellulose and lignin to have specic gravity of approximately 1.58 and 1.40, respectively. These low values would as expected reduces the compounded specic gravity of organic soils. Figure 8 shows the variation of specic gravity (Gs) with organic content (OC) (in fraction) using Eq. 5 proposed by Kaniraj and Joseph (1996), Eq. 6 by Huat (2004), Eq. 7 by Skempton and Petley (1970) and Eq. 8 by Den Haan (1997). Experimental results plotted for specic gravity of tropical peat, t closely with Eq. 8 proposed by Den Haan (1997). Thus, an equation was formed to establish the identication process of tropical peat as Eq. 9. Using statistical analysis, the coefcient of correlation (R2) between specic gravity and organic content of Banting peat was 0.9956. (if R2 [ 0.80 is a very good correlation) Gs 1:6281 OC 2:6859 Gs 1:2 OC 2:7 Gs 1=0:358 OC 0:357 Gs 1=0:362 OC 0:371 Gs 0:00820 OC 2:1404: 5 6 7 8 9

dependent. Since developing peat ground often involves massive changes in the state of stress, as well as pressure and saturation changes, it is important to understand the stress dependent behavior of compressibility parameters and incorporate it in the peat stabilization plan. Based on Fig. 9, the compression index (Cc) values from Rowe Cell consolidation test for the natural brous peat were within the range of 1.8783.627 for consolidation pressure of 40320 kPa. These values were from Rowe Cell consolidation test and measured higher than the values from conventional oedometer test results. Results from conventional oedometer test were far less reliable because back pressure was not induced and pore water pressure was not measured during the course of the test. The compression index (Cc) values from oedometer test for brous peat was 1.453 3.211. However, these values were far smaller than what has been reported for peat as 510 compared with that of clay of only 0.20.8 in the literature. 3.4 Secondary Compression Index Based on Fig. 10, the secondary compression index (Ca) values from Rowe Cell consolidation test for the natural (untreated) brous peat was within the range of 0.06080.0985 for consolidation pressure of 40 320 kPa. These values were from Rowe Cell consolidation test and measured higher than the values from conventional oedometer test results. The secondary

3.3 Compression Index According to Li and Lee (2006), compressibility parameters of soil are to some extent stress

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626 Fig. 9 Compression index vs. consolidation pressure

Geotech Geol Eng (2009) 27:619629

Fig. 10 Secondary compression index vs. consolidation pressure

compression index (Ca) value from oedometer test for brous peat was 0.03740.0901. These values are considerably higher than the limiting values of between 0.02 and 0.04 for highly organic soils as suggested by Hobbs (1986). According to Mesri (1973), soil with Ca values of more than 0.064 is categorized as soil with extremely high secondary compressibility. The secondary compression index Ca = (De/D log t) was determined from the slope of the e-log t curves during the period of 424 h after pressure increment, assuming that the secondary compression would have started 4 h after loading. The variation of Ca with applied consolidation pressure can be seen in Fig. 10. The Ca increases as the consolidation pressure is increased. Similar trend was observed with samples tested using oedometer. Thus, brous peat samples used in this research will cause high secondary settlements with the increase in pressure over the time.

3.5 Value of Ca/Cc Mesri and Castro (1987) reported that the value of Ca/ Cc for peat and muskeg lies in the range of 0.050.07. Value of Ca/Cc for tropical peat determined from conventional oedometer test was about 0.027. Whereas samples tested using Rowe Cell consolidation was recorded 0.02. These values are generally not in agreement with the values reported in literature. Since the value of Ca/Cc for tropical peat is lower than the value of Ca/Cc reported in the literature, less creep settlement develops when the brous peat is loaded. However, this need to be veried with further research works involving eld study. Again according to Mesri et al. (1997), reliable data suggests that Ca/Cc for peat lies within the range 0.06 0.01. However, studies carried out by Paikowsky et al. (2003) on Cranberry bog peat, Massachusetts showed that Ca/Cc is not constant but varies.

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627

3.6 Effect of a Single Cement Column As for the main objective of this research, cement columns of two dimensions were prepared and installed in peat. Cement column with (45 mm diameter 9 50 mm length) and (60 9 50 mm length) were formed. Separate specimens were cured and tested for 7, 14 and 28 days to nd out the factors inuencing the performance of cement columns. Just as expected the cement columns cured for 28 days were proven more effective in reducing the compressibility parameters Cc and Ca when tested using Rowe Cell consolidation test. A single cement column with 60 mm diameter (area ratio = 0.16) recorded the smallest values of Cc and Ca compared to 45 mm diameter (area ratio = 0.09) of cement column (see Fig. 11). Compressibility parameters reported in the following gures were measured at 80 kPa as the sample was obtained from shallow peat deposits approximately four to ve meters deep. There was no clear trend showing the inuence of cement column length in this study which further supported by literature. 3.7 Effect of a Group of Cement Columns A group of cement columns of diameter 15 mm each with a spacing of 2d were used. Pressure was induced at the center of cell and compression was measured to

represent the whole sample including the cement column. Based on Fig. 12 when nine cement columns in the form of a 3 9 3 group tested, compressibility parameters were reduced more effectively than when only four cement columns (2 9 2) were used at the same spacing. This means that compressibility parameters decreased with an increasing number of cement columns in a group. Technically, group of nine cement columns have larger area ratio of 0.09 compared to group of four cement columns with area ratio of 0.04, which inuences the compressibility. Again the 28 days of curing time has signicant impact on the nal compressibility parameters values recorded.

3.8 Effect of Proportions of Cement in Cement Columns Figure 13 presents the compression index value for brous peat stabilized with cement column with different cement proportions. Typical dosage rate of 100 kg/m3 was chosen to determine the amount of cement added to peat which is based on the volume of soil that has to be treated. Thus, in all the three proportions of cement and peat, roughly nine percent of cement was dry mixed by weight of dry soil. Cement column with ratio of (100:0) reduced 60% of

Fig. 11 Compression index vs. curing time for brous peat using single column
Compression Index, Cc

2 1,8 1,6 1,4 1,2 1 0,8 0,6 0,4 0,2 0

0 5 10 15 20 25 30
SC2 SC1 SC4 SC3

Curing Time, days

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628 Fig. 12 Compression index vs. curing time for brous peat using group column
1,8

Geotech Geol Eng (2009) 27:619629

1,6

1,4

Compression Index, Cc

1,2

0,8

0,6
SC2 SC4 GC1 GC2

0,4

0,2

0
0 5 10 15 20 25 30

Curing Time, days

Compression Index, Cc

Fig. 13 Compression index vs. curing time for brous peat with various proportions of cement in cement column

3,5

2,5

1,5

1
(100:0) (75:25) (25:75)

0,5

0
0 5 10 15 20 25 30

Curing Time, days

the compression index value followed by cement column (75:25), which was 50% and cement column (25:75) was 7%. Therefore, cement column with 100% cement recorded the highest reduction. Similar trend was observed for coefcient of secondary compression values for brous peat stabilized with cement column of different cement proportions. Cement column (100:0) reduced 49% of the compression index value followed by cement column (75:25), which was 32% and cement column (25:75)

was 12%. Therefore, cement column with 100% cement recorded the highest reduction.

4 Conclusions New laboratory experimental data have been presented on brous peat reinforced with cement columns. A signicant reduction in compressibility was observed by increasing the diameter of the

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629 Acknowledgments Financial assistance from the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation Malaysia (MOSTI) and University Malaysia Pahang to the authors is acknowledged. A special compliment goes to Ernaleza Mahsum (Research Assistant) and Balan Kunjambu (Language Editor).

cement columns, increasing the number of cement column and increasing the amount of cement in cement columns. The following are the main ndings from the laboratory study on tropical brous peat: 1. The inuence of curing time on both the single and group cement columns in reducing the compressibility parameters were signicant. Increasing curing time was found to be effective in compressibility control. Moreover, 28 days of curing time has a signicant effect on the nal compressibility values recorded in brous peat. Compressibility of brous peat can be reduced by reinforcing it with cement columns. Compressibility parameters of brous peat samples was reduced by 50% using 45 mm diameter of cement column and 80% with cement column of 60 mm diameter. Hence, it suggests that larger diameter cement column (or cement column with high area ratio) has a larger reduction effect in compressibility control. A group of cement columns has a signicant impact in reducing the compressibility parameters compared to a single cement column. Compressibility parameters of brous peat sample were reduced by 65% using four cement columns and 90% with nine cement columns. Hence, it suggests that increasing number of cement column (or increasing interface area of cement column) will reduce the compressibility of peat. Cement columns with 100% amount of cement produced the highest performance in reducing compressibility parameters in brous peat. Therefore increasing the amount of cement in cement columns will reduce the compressibility in brous peat.

References
Den Haan EJ (1997) An overview of the mechanical behavior of peat and organic soils and some appropriate construction techniques. In: Proceedings of conference on recent advances in soft soil engineering, Kuching, Sarawak, pp 1745 Head KH (1986) Manual of soil laboratory testing: Rowe cell consolidation and permeability tests, vol 3. Pentech Press Limited, London, pp 11291190 Hobbs NB (1986) Morphology and the properties and behavior of some British and foreign peats. Q J Eng Geol 19:780. doi:10.1144/GSL.QJEG.1986.019.01.02 Huat BK (2004) Organic and peats engineering. Universiti Putra Malaysia Press, Serdang, pp 1159 Jarret PM (1995) Geoguide 6, site investigation for organics soils and peat. JKR Document 20709-0341-95. Institut Kerja Raya Malaysia Kaniraj SR, Joseph RR (1996) Geotechnical behavior of organic soils of North Sarawak. Paper presented in 4th international conference on soft soil engineering, Voncouver Canada, 46 October 2006 Li Q, Lee S (2006) Stress dependent reservoir properties. Paper presented in GEO Asia 2006 Petroleum Geology Conference. Kuala Lumpur Convention Center, Malaysia, 4 June 2006 Mesri G (1973) Coefcient of secondary compression. J Soil Mech Found Div 99(1):123137 Mesri G, Castro A (1987) Ca/Cc concept and Ko during secondary compression. J Geotech Eng 123:230247. doi: 10.1061/(ASCE)0733-9410(1987)113:3(230) Mesri G, Statark TD, Ajlouni MA, Chen CS (1997) Secondary compression of peat with or without surcharging. J Geotech Geoenviron Eng 123(5):411421. doi:10.1061/(ASCE)10 90-0241(1997)123:5(411) Paikowsky S, Elsayed A, Kurup PU (2003) Engineering properties of Cranberry bog peat. In: Proceedings of 2nd international conference on advances in soft soil engineering and technology, Putrajaya, Malaysia, pp 153171 Skempton AW, Petley DJ (1970) Ignition loss and other properties of peats and clays from Avonmouth, Kings Lynn & Cranberry Moss. Geotechniques 20(4):343356

2.

3.

4.

To sum up the above ndings, compressibility parameters (compression index and secondary compression index) of brous peat were signicantly improved with cement column.

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