This research proposal aims to evaluate the strength development of cement-treated soils cured at different temperatures through physicochemical investigations. Specimens with 10%, 15%, and 20% cement contents will be cast and cured sealed at 20, 40, and 60°C. Compression tests will be conducted on specimens at various ages from 1 to 91 days. In parallel, tests like thermal analysis, X-ray diffraction, and mercury intrusion porosimetry will provide insight into changes in mechanical and microstructural properties under high temperature curing. The proposal details specimen and material requirements for experiments with 10% cement content specimens.

1. Research Proposal
1. Introduction
Research background
Construction on soft soil poses many problems due to low shear strength, differential
settlement etc. It has been challenging task to improve the soft ground. To improve the soft
ground, there are many methods such as vertical drain, replacement, stabilization by
chemical binder. Cement-treated soil is a method that uses cement to stabilize soft ground,
is widely used for a purpose of enhancing the properties of soil foundation structures,
especially for deep mixing treatment. It is known that the compressive strength of
cement-treated soils still increases considerably for several years. The short-term strength is
produced by cement hydration and the long-term strength development is mostly attributed
to pozzolanic reaction. The previous study on temperature history of field deep mixing
column revealed that temperature in the core of column produced from cement hydration
reached approximately 50C and maintained at that temperature for several months. Other
previous studies on cement-stabilized clay found that the strength development in both short
and long-term increased under high curing temperature. However, the discussions on the
changes of mechanical and microstructural properties of cement-treated soil under high
temperature curing through physic-chemical investigations are not adequate.
Objective:
This research aims to evaluate the strength development of cement-treated soils cured under
sealed condition at varied temperatures (20, 40, and 60
C) through physic-chemical
investigations such as thermal analysis, X-ray diffraction (XRD), mercury intrusion
porosimetry (MIP).
Research plan:
- Carry out conducting experiments: Casting cement-treated soil specimens (10%, 15%,
20% cement contents; W/C 100%) and the specimens are sealed and cured under 20, 40,
and 60
C. The compression test is conducted for the specimen at the ages of 1, 3, 7, 14,
28, 56, and 91 days. In parallel, physic-chemical tests are also conducted. Refer to the
following table:
Curing day (days) 1 3 7 14 28 56 91 Total
Specimen needed 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 28
2. Materials Proposal
Quantity for 1 specimen (10% cement contents):
Material contents Cement(C) Sand(S) Water(W)
Ratio C/S=10% C/W=100%
Where:

2. m=ms+mc+mw = ms +0.1ms+0.1ms=1.2 ms (g) (1)
γ =
m
𝑉
=
4m
ℎ𝜋𝑑2 =
4x1.2m 𝑠
ℎ 𝜋𝑑2 (g/cm3
) (2)
γ(g/cm3) d(cm) h(cm)
1.80 5 10
(1) & (2) => ms=