A comparative study of soluble sulfate measurement techniques

Nagasreenivasu Talluri, Ahmed Gaily, Anand J. Puppala, Bhaskar Chittoori

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

9 Scopus citations

Abstract

Sulfate heave in chemically treated soils has been recognized as a major concern in pavement construction projects. Sulfate measurements on pavement subgrade soils are an important step in designing an appropriate soil stabilization scheme. Various methods have been developed for measuring soluble sulfates based on gravimetric and turbidity procedures. Variations have been observed in measuring soluble sulfate levels among these methods, hence a need arises to compare and validate each of these methods. In the present paper a comparative study of three methods namely AASHTO method, modified UTA method and TxDOT method is made for determining soluble sulfates of natural clayey soils. Two natural clayey soils are mixed with known amounts of sulfates in the form of sodium sulfate at four different concentrations of 1500, 3000, 5000 and 10000 ppm. Measurement of soluble sulfates is carried out using the above three methods. Test results are fully analyzed and evaluated for repeatability of each method in measuring true amounts of sulfates in soils. Methods are also evaluated in providing realistic measurements with respect to sulfate levels.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationGeoCongress 2012
Subtitle of host publicationState of the Art and Practice in Geotechnical Engineering
Pages3372-3381
Number of pages10
Edition225 GSP
DOIs
StatePublished - 2012
EventGeoCongress 2012: State of the Art and Practice in Geotechnical Engineering - Oakland, CA, United States
Duration: 25 Mar 201229 Mar 2012

Publication series

NameGeotechnical Special Publication
Number225 GSP
ISSN (Print)0895-0563

Conference

ConferenceGeoCongress 2012: State of the Art and Practice in Geotechnical Engineering
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityOakland, CA
Period25/03/1229/03/12

Keywords

  • Soil stabilization
  • soluble sulfates
  • sulfate measurement

EGS Disciplines

  • Civil and Environmental Engineering

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