ABSTRACT
This paper deals with laboratory research concerning the improvement of the geotechnical characteristics of two peats by dry mixing with various binders. The two natural peats have similar organic content greater than 70%, but differ as regards the origin of organic fibres, in-situ void ratio and stress history. The efficiency of various binder mixtures was checked by means of unconfined compression tests performed at different curing times. Two different mixtures were selected, one for each soil, on the basis of shear strength. They were checked by repeating the oedometer tests on stabilized soils which had already been performed on natural peats, at two different curing times in both standard and long term conditions. The comparison of the mechanical behaviour of natural and stabilized soils showed a significant improvement of the strength-strain characteristics of very soft peats, while the advantages were not so great in overconsolidated peaty soils.
