Oedometer Based Study on Collapse Potential of Cement Admixed Loess Soil

The large ground displacements caused by loess or collapsing soils can totally destroy roads and structures. In this study, a controlled Oedometer testing is carried out to understand the collapse potential (CP) of loess soil samples prepared at different dry unit weights and admixed with cement proportions 0%, 2%, 4%, 6%, 8% and 10%. When compared to the untreated soil, the reduction in CP is about 35% for the sample prepared at 11 kN/m³ dry unit weight and 200 kPa stress level and for cement proportion of 8% and initial water content of 2%. But for the similar conditions and for cement proportion of 8% and initial water content of 4%, the reduction in collapse potential is observed about 95%. From the results, it can be revealed that CP of loess soil can be controlled with the process of pretreatment.