Abstract
In this paper, applicability of the X-ray computed tomography scanner (X-ray CT) to cement-treated soil was examined using laboratory test specimens and field boring cores in the aim of developing an observation and analysis method for its internal structure. We aimed to clearly detect gradation changes due to the partial volume effect in the presence of cement, rather than directly observing the particle shape derived from cement. In the examination using the laboratory test specimens, proper tube voltage and current of the Xray CT suitable to determine the amount of cement stabilizer added were selected for each soil type, based on the peak separation on the gray value histogram. The magnitude of the gray values was found to be in good correspondence with the density and strength properties. In the examination of the boring cores, the gray value was found to be useful in detecting deterioration of the treated soil attributable to non-uniform distribution of cement stabilizer or drying. Moreover, it was found that the intensity of the gray values was consistent with the needle penetration gradient, showing local differences in strength in a boring core.
