Controlled Low Strength Material for Backfill, Void Fill, Utility Bedding, and Bridge Approaches

Project Description

Controlled low strength material (CLSM) is a unique material: it is flowable, exhibits strengths slightly higher than conventional soils, is volumetrically stable (does not consolidate with time), and can be easily placed. Unfortunately, this material has not gained widespread use. CLSM can be made with recycled materials and low cement contents. Because the material has cement, geotechnical engineers assume that it is a ¿concrete.¿ However, because it is used mostly for geotechnical applications, most ¿concrete technologists¿ assume it is a geotechnical material. As such, specifications and test methods for this material have not been fully developed. Also, concerns in the industry regarding how this material influences the corrosion of pipes embedded in this material have prevented its widespread use. This research project resulted in a set of new specifications and test procedures for CLSM. It also evaluated the corrosivity of CLSM. Ductile iron pipes completely embedded in CLSM showed lower corrosion activity than pipes embedded in conventional backfill materials. Galvanized pipes showed slightly higher corrosion activity in these same conditions.

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