DIATOMACEOUS SOILS: A NEW APPROACH

Grading for land development in parts of Southern California involves the use of diatomaceous soils in structural fills. The problem posed was the drying of such soils, in some cases by as much as 20-30%, to meet the standard grading code compaction of 90% of maximum dry density to meet American Society of Testing Materials standards. Extensive field and laboratory tests were undertaken and a test fill program developed to determine the best compaction equipment and the maximum compaction that could be practically achieved using such equipment. Tests showed that a Cat 825B steel wheel compactor produced the best fill compaction. With two passes, one could achieve fill density of at least 95% of the laboratory dry density determined by ASTM S157 at the corresponding field moisture content. The second phase of the test program tested how the diatomaceous soils would perform over time. The test fill program showed that such soils compacted to at least 95% of the maximum laboratory density achievable at field moisture content would produce good quality fill. Special design considerations must be used for foundations and structural slabs placed directly on diatomaceous fills.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/oclc/10480594
• Corporate Authors:

  American Society of Civil Engineers

  345 East 47th Street
  New York, NY  United States  10017-2398
• Authors:
  • Khilnani, K
  • Capik, M L
• Publication Date: 1989-2

Media Info

• Features: Figures; Tables;
• Pagination: p. 68-70
• Serial:
  • Civil Engineering
  • Volume: 59
  • Issue Number: 2
  • Publisher: American Society of Civil Engineers
  • ISSN: 0885-7024
  • Serial URL: http://www.pubs.asce.org/ceonline/newce/html

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Development; Fills; Foundations; Moisture content; Real estate development; Soil compaction
• Old TRIS Terms: Diatomaceous earth
• Subject Areas: Geotechnology; Highways; Materials; I33: Other Materials used in Pavement Layers;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00480622
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Mar 31 1989 12:00AM