Experimental Research on Unconfined Compressive Strength of Artificially Cemented Sand

Unconfined compressive strength tests and calcium carbonate (CaCO3) quantitative chemical tests are conducted on artificially cemented sand which have different cement ratio (C-v) and curing time (t). Through the analysis of experimental results, the unconfined compressive strength (q(u)) of cemented sand are affected by curing time (t), cement ratio (C-v) and void ratio (eta). Test results show that the longer the curing time (t), the lower the void/cement ratio (eta/C-v) and the higher calcium carbonate/calcium hydroxide content ratio (CaCO3/Ca(OH)(2) ratio or m(c)/m(H)), the higher the unconfined compressive strength (q(u)) of cemented sand. It is established the compressive strength equation based on the variables of cement ratio (C-v), void ratio (eta) and curing time (t). By m(c)/m(H)-q(u) curve analysis, it is obtained the quantitative relation of chemical composition and mechanical strength.