Soil improvement and construction methods in peat - Geotechnics of Organic Soils and Peat - page 165

Figure 6.42 Berengbenkel trial embankment ( after Rahadian et al ., 2003).
6.11 CHEMICAL AND BIOLOGICAL CHANGES
An important characteristic of peat is the potential chemical and biological changes
with time. Further humification of the organic constituents would alter the mechanical
properties such as compressibility, strength and hydraulic conductivity. Lowering of
ground water may cause shrinking and oxidation of peat, leading to humification
with a consequent increase in permeability and compressibility. Oxidation also leads
to gas formation, which may contribute to excess pore pressures (Vonk, 1993). The
significance of these effects for the long-term performance of structures placed on peat