Soaking–drying frequency effect on gypsum-rich roadbed sand

Abstract

This article presents the California bearing ratio (CBR) and moisture content behaviour of a gypsum-rich roadbed sand with a gypsum content of about 39% subjected to cyclic soaking and drying. Frequencies of 8-, 14- and 60-day cycle lengths were adopted together with six cycles of soaking and drying for each frequency. Each cycle consisted of two equal time periods of soaking and drying. For each frequency, 13 pairs of CBR samples were prepared and subjected to cyclic soaking and drying in the laboratory under a surcharge load of 45 lb (200 N). The time variation of moisture content during cyclic soaking and drying at the top, middle and bottom of each CBR sample was studied as well. The article reveals that for each cycle, the CBR decreases during soaking and increases during drying for all frequencies.

Keywords::

• California bearing ratio
• cyclic soaking and drying tests
• geotechnical engineering
• gypsum sand
• pavement design
• roads and highways

Notes

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