Gradation affects basic mechanical characteristics of Chinese calcareous sand as airport subgrade of reefs. Issue 6 (2nd July 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Yang, Shen; Shen, Xue; Liu, Hanlong; Ge, Huayang; Rui, Xiaoxi
• Is Part Of: Marine georesources & geotechnology. Volume 38:Issue 6(2020)
• Page Start: 706
• Page End: 715
• Publication Date: 2020-07-02
• Subjects: Calcareous sand -- compressibility -- shear characteristic -- particle morphology -- gradation -- reclamation; Marine mineral resources -- Periodicals; 551.46
• DOI: 10.1080/1064119X.2019.1614122
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1064-119X

Abstract

Abstract: Construction of the reefs in the South China Sea is a significant foundation to the secure stability and economic development of China. The construction of an airport runway is necessary for this realization. The calcareous sand is the main primary material in the runway construction. A certain type of calcareous sand near a certain reef of the South China Sea was studied in this paper. To investigate this specific calcareous sand, quartz sand was used as a reference for comparison. Microscopic 3-D imaging, compression and triaxial tests were conducted to test the micro, squeezing and shear properties. The effect mechanism of gradation on the calcareous sand's compressibility and shear characteristics are discussed from a mesoscopic viewpoint using 3-D morphology. Calcareous sand particles are multiangular and flatter in comparison with quartz sand. The larger the particle sizes are, the more different the two sands' morphologies are. The compressibility of calcareous sand is greater, and the effect of the coarse fraction (5–1 mm) content in the gradation plays the most significant role in this feature. When the coarse particles' content is less than 25% and the mass ratio of the middle and fine particles ( M ) is constant, there is the worst coarse fraction content causing the calcareous sand to be most likely compressed. The worst coarse fraction content decreases with the increase in M, and an empirical formula is proposed. When the gradation, relative density and confining pressure are the same, the peak shear stress and strain of calcareous sand are all at a high level. The effect of confining pressure is manifested in calcareous sand. The shear strength and dilation of calcareous sand are also most affected by the medium coarse fraction (5–0.25 mm) content.