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Several materials such as rigid, flexible, soil sealants and stabilizers, have
been used for irrigation canal linings, each having its different advantages and
disadvantages. In this research, physical and mechanical properties of
soil-cement tiles for canal lining have been investigated. For this purpose,
sevral proportions of soil mixed with different percentages of Portland cement
have been made and shaped in the form of tiles, using a hydraulic compression
machine. The tiles were pressed to achieve the maximum dry density, with a
final size of 30 20 5 cm. The durability, as well as mechanical properties of
the material were checked according to ASTM standards, those tiles which
passed the tests were used for further investigation as canal lining. A
laboratory trapzoidal canal section with a length of 10 m, bottom width of 20
cm, side slope of 1:1.5 and longitudinal slope of 0.5% having a discharge
capacity of 30 lit./sec. was constructed and lined by soil - cement tiles. The rate
of seepage through the lining and its erosion were measured after 240 hours
of flow in the canal. The final results showed that the seepage rate was as low
as 0.0015 m3/m2/day, showing no indication of erodibility. The overall results
of the research proved the possibility of making and using soil-cement tiles as
canal lining and its excellent behaviour against water flow. Finally, it was
concluded that soil - cement tiles can be used as a cheap canal lining, where
the good quality coarse grained materials are not available.