Durability of hydraulic structures reinforced with lime: a French onsite experience
Year: 2026
Type: conference-paper
Abstract: Lime treatment of soil is a well-recognized, safe, and cost-effective method that enables the reuse of soils in the construction of transport infrastructures. This technique offers notable benefits, such as reducing landfill waste and shortening construction times. However, despite extensive experience, the application of lime treatment in hydraulic structures remains underdeveloped. Hydraulic structures have specific requirements beyond those of traditional embankments, including low permeability to prevent seepage, resistance to internal and external erosion, and the ability to withstand high water flows. The advantages of using lime treatment in the construction of hydraulic structures have been recognized through numerous studies, investigations, and full-scale projects conducted over the past fifteen years. Lime treatment allows for the use of locally available soils, simplifies the typical design cross-section, and enhances mechanical properties, erosion resistance, and overall cost efficiency, including reduced material transport. Nevertheless, concerns about durability still hinder the widespread adoption of lime treatment for hydraulic structures. As a relatively new technology for hydraulic structures design, there is limited documented evidence of its long-term performance and the consequences of prolonged exposure to weathering on the evolution of its specific functional requirements. It is therefore crucial to demonstrate that lime-treated hydraulic structures are not only efficient and sustainable but represent also viable long-term solutions. This paper presents the results of monitoring campaigns conducted on a lime-treated dike built in France in 2011. Initially, a brief description of the experimental dike, including construction details and procedures, are provided. Subsequently, the results from several monitoring campaigns over the years are presented and analyzed to gain a comprehensive understanding of the effects of exposure conditions on the lime-treated soil and the overall structure. The paper concludes with technical evidence gathered over the years and highlights areas that still require clarification.
Source: HAL
Institution: Lhoist (Belgium)
Language: English
Subfield: Civil and Structural Engineering
Field: Engineering
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7203940299