Permeability studies in marine clays stabilized with lime column

Soft marine clays are very sensitive to changes in stress system, moisture content and system chemistry of the pore fluid. There is a necessity to improve the behaviour of these deposits using any one of the available ground improvement techniques. In the present investigation an attempt is made to improve the permeability using lime column techniques in marine clays. The experimental programme was carried out with model lime columns installed in two test setups. In the first setup a central lime column was installed in a circular tank and in the second setup number of columns were installed in a rectangular tank. A marine clay from east coast of India was used as a test bed. Number of samples were taken at different radial distances and time periods. From the tests conducted on these samples, it has been established that lime has seeped into the surrounding soil for large distances and this is indicated by pH values and XRD analysis. There is enormous improvement in permeability and the k values are improved by 10 to 15 times. This shows a good promise for improving the reclaimed coastal soft deposits and offshore deposits.