Abstract
To mitigate liquefaction-induced settlement of levees, improvement of liquefiable foundation ground by cement is often adopted. In this study, mechanical properties of sand improved by cement in grid pattern were examined by means of the direct shear tests on the improved sand. Test results reveal that the unimproved sand in drids prevent out-of-plane deformation of improved soil walls arranged in grid pattern and makes the shearing resistance of the overall improved zone. It is also found that the stress-strain relations of the sand improved in grid pattern can be a unique line when they are normalised by the unconfined compression strength of the cement-treated sand and improvement ratio.
