Stress-strain behavior of a cement-based stabilized soft soil

This paper presents the results of a laboratory study carried out on Coimbra soft soil specimens in order to evaluate the effect of the artificial cementation on the mechanical properties. A series of triaxial tests following a compression path with undrained conditions were conducted on natural remolded specimens and on laboratory prepared cemented-based specimens. Based on the experimental results, the effect of the cementation on the stress-strain behavior and strength property are discussed. For lower consolidation stress states, the behavior of the cement-based stabilized soft soil under triaxial shear is characterized by an initial elastic section, limited by a structural yield point (defined as the point from where the plastic deformations significantly increase, i.e., the start point of the breakage of the cementitious bonds), followed by a brittle failure (characterized by the sudden breakage of the cementitious bonds with the consequent decrease of the shear stress).