Economically important volcanic ash soil properties

A major highway development in Papua New Guinea crossed a very large deposit of volcanic ash soil with most unusual properties. A contractor declared that the soil, when moved from its in situ position and placed in fill, became quite useless, although standing on steep batters in cuts. Volcanic ash deposits occur commonly elsewhere in places traversed by the highway system, a vital link in the country's economy since there is no possible alternative route. This type of soil is, therefore, of major economic importance to Papua New Guinea and an understanding of it is vital to the development of an efficient road transport system. Initial studies which assessed the geotechnical properties of this type of soil were carried out by wallace in 1971. This work is now being extended by the author. This paper recounts some of the work done so far. While no full understanding of the reason for the strange behaviour of this soil has yet been satisfactorily given, it is believed it may be related to the conditions of weathering.

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• Availability:
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• Authors:
  • Kiek, S N
• Conference:
  • Australian Road Research Board (ARRB) Conference, 7th, 1974, Adelaide
• Publication Date: 1974

Language

• English

Media Info

• Pagination: 129-38
• Monograph Title: Some aspects of the curing of a soil cement
• Serial:
  • Volume: 7
  • Issue Number: 7

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Embankments; Fly ash; Moisture content; Properties of materials; Soils; Strength of materials
• Geographic Terms: Papua New Guinea
• ATRI Terms: Embankment; Fly ash; Material properties; Moisture content; Soil; Strength
• Subject Areas: Geotechnology; Materials;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01442252
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: ARRB
• ISBN: 909996741
• Files: ATRI
• Created Date: Aug 25 2012 12:04AM