Variables Controlling Strength of Artificially Cemented Sand: Influence of Curing Time

Abstract

The present research aims to quantify the influence of the curing time period, amount of cement, porosity, and voids/cement ratio in the assessment of unconfined compressive strength (qu) of artificially cemented sand. A program of unconfined compression tests considering distinct curing time periods (t), porosities (η), and cement contents (C) was carried out in the present study. It has been found that a power function adapts well unconfined compressive strength values with increasing cement content and with reducing porosity of the compacted mixture. As expected, the unconfined compressive strength of the cemented sand increases with an increasing curing time period. It was also shown that the voids/cement ratio (η/Cv) is a good parameter in the evaluation of the unconfined compressive strength of the cemented sand studied, for the whole range of cement and porosities studied, at each specific curing time period studied. Finally, a unique relationship can be achieved linking the unconfined compressive strength (qu) with the voids/cement ratio (η/Cv) and the curing period (t).