Dimensional analysis of soil–cement mixture performance

Cement is commonly used to improve the mechanical properties of soils that exhibit substantial changes in behaviour under fluctuating environmental conditions (i.e. moisture and temperature). Minimising the cement content while attaining a satisfactory level of performance is the main objective of mixture proportioning; however, the absence of performance-predicting models precludes optimisation. In this work, published experimental results have been reanalysed to explore the causal links between mixture components proportions and properties, and its performance. Specific surface area has been used as the foundation of a framework within which these links are studied through dimensional analysis. The D-factor – a dimensionless ratio that combines the water content, cement content, post-compaction void ratio and the specific surface area of the soil and the cement – has been found to correlate linearly with unconfined compressive strength.