Depending on the technical and economical constraints, expanded clay embankments and fills can be constructed in the following ways:
Average density after completion: 600 – 1200 kg/m3.
The thickness of each layer can be varied depending on the design requirements
Spreading sequence (repeated)
The total thickness of each sandwich of clay + granular mix must not exceed 120 cm.
The final layer of granular mix, on which the finishing layers will be placed, must be at least 300 mm thick (suggested thickness: 400 mm).
Average density after completion: 400 – 600 kg/m3
Spreading sequence (repeated)
The most commonly used methods for containing embankments with different “angles of slope” (indicative values) range from reinforced ground at the minimum possible angle of slope (90°) to uncontained material (35 – 40°)
Densities ranging from 500 – 800 kg/mc and strengths from 1 – 4 MPa, depending on the type of expanded clay and the quantity of cement used.
To increase the stiffness of fills or embankments or to resolve problems of lateral containment, or to deal with other requirements, they can be constructed using cemented expanded clay (permeable concrete – open pore structure.
Each layer must not be more than 50 cm thick and compaction must be carried out with a plate vibrator.
Cemented expanded clay can be manufactured in various ways: