The capacity of improved Khon Kaen Loess as a road construction material

摘要

The loess terrain exists in abundance in the Northeastern region of Thailand. The soil hasa potential to collapse, which has been caused by wetting. This study reports the characteristics of Khon Kaenloess under various conditions. This study aims to investigate the suitability of this soil as a material for roadconstruction. The undisturbed samples were excavated from the field and to be tested. The results show thatthe addition water can dramatically reduce the bearing capacity of the loess. The study also performed with thetreated loess by static compaction. The results show the effectiveness of the additional energy from compactionin the increasing of bearing capacity of the soil. A series of trial slope embankments were also constructed inorder to evaluate the behavior of the loess. The field observations showed that the testing embankment wasstable under traffic loading and erosion of soil occurred by water infiltration from ground surface. The trialembankment reinforced with geosynthetic materials was also tested. The results showed the effectiveness ofgeosynthetic material as one of the remedial measures.