Effects of lime addition on geotechnical properties of sedimentary soil in Curitiba, Brazil

The soil of the Guabirotuba geological formation (Paraná Basin, Brazil) has physico-mechanical properties which are not suitable for its utilization in pavement construction, in protection of hillsides and slopes, or as shallow foundation support. Treatment of this soil by lime addition would improve its usability. The present context intends to determine the ratio between the splitting tensile strength ( q t ) and the unconfined compressive strength ( q u ) of clayey soil in the metropolitan region of Curitiba City, which has been treated with different lime contents and curing times. The control parameters evaluated include lime content ( L ), curing time ( t ), moisture content ( w ), and ratio of porosity to volumetric lime content ( η / L v ). It was observed that the q t / q u ratio is between 0.17 and 0.2 in relation to the curing time, and an exponential relation exists between them. Meanwhile, the unconfined compressive strength of lime-treated soil was found to be approximately four times the initial value.