Impact of the drying on the deformation of lime treated clayey soils

In period of drought, lime treated clayey soils in earthwork may be subjected to shrinkage during soil drying. Tests performed with an automated volumetric shrinkage apparatus on lime treated Romainville green clay show that the shape of the shrinkage curves, related to the soil microstructure, changes with the percentage of lime. The higher the percentage (2-35%) is, the lower the soil deformation amplitude is. The moisture range of the structural shrinkage is also extended (plateau appearing with the stiffening produced by lime/clay reaction). This behavior, observed in structured soils is particularly visible with the lime treated clay (prepared with our protocol). No other phases added to clay soil as glass balls, gypsum, alumina, carbonates ... ? has such effect).