Review of Lime Piles and Lime-stabilised Soil Columns (Trl 305)

An inexpensive, simple and effective method is required for improving the stability of the ageing earthworks slopes of the national motorway network. This report considers the potential solution of lime piles and lime-stabilised soil columns, including the proprietary Colmix process. It reviews lime and the effects of lime on clay soils, determining that the clays most at risk would respond to lime treatment. The report concludes that both piles and columns can increase the shear strength of the ground. It reviews some of the considerations that need to be borne in mind when designing a lime pile or lime-stabilised soil column and provides a simple design method which indicates the direction, depth and spacing of piles or columns that would be required.