Compaction Characteristics of Calcareous Sand with Different Gradings

摘要

A series of compaction tests were carried out on calcareous sand which were mainly source of hydraulic fill foundation in a reef of the South China Sea. With the increase of water content, compacted dry density of calcareous sand decreased firstly, and then increased and finally decreased. It means that calcareous sand has both optimum water content and worst water content. By comparing compaction curves of calcareous sand with different gradings, the influences of gradings and evolution law of special compaction characteristics of calcareous sand were revealed. The results show that the quality of gradings affects variation range of compacted dry density. Fine particle content affects the value of worst water content and peak water content as well as the overall value of compacted dry density. Based on the saturation-water content curves, a fitting function for compaction curves of calcareous sand was established. The above conclusions provide theoretical references for the design and treatment of hydraulic fill foundation of reefs.