Abstract

AUVINET-GUICHARD, Gabriel  and  SANCHEZ-GUZMAN, Jesús. Design of light embankments for settlements control. Ing. invest. y tecnol. [online]. 2020, vol.21, n.4, 00006.  Epub Nov 20, 2020. ISSN 2594-0732.  https://doi.org/10.22201/fi.25940732e.2020.21.4.034.

Several existing studies on the porosity of granular materials based on theoretical considerations, physical models or numerical simulations show that uniform materials naturally present a lower unit weight than well-graded ones. This can be taken advantage of to build light embankments with controlled settlements on high compressibility soils such as the lacustrine clays of the valley of Mexico. To further reduce the weight of the embankment it is possible to resort to naturally light granular materials with porous grains such as the volcanic slag locally known in Mexico as tezontle that is characterized by its low unit weight. This paper analyzes the characteristics of two materials classified respectively as uniform and well-graded tezontles. Finally, a constructive technique using tezontle with controlled grain size distribution is proposed for the construction of light embankments on soft soils such as those in the Valley of Mexico.

Keywords : Granular materials; grain size distribution; porosity; unit weight; volcanic slag.

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