Stabilised expansive soil behaviour during wetting and drying

Abstract

In this study, the effect of lime, cement and coal ash on stabilisation of an expansive soil was investigated. The results show that these admixtures stabilise the soil through chemical reactions with the soil and influence the physical and mechanical characteristics of the soil such as Atterberg limits, compaction behaviour and swelling potential. Admixtures showed improvements in reducing swelling, shrinkage and plasticity characteristics of the soil. The effect of cyclic wetting and drying on the swelling behaviour of the stabilised soil samples with different percentages of admixtures was examined in a modified oedometer. The results showed that the initial beneficiary effect of coal ash stabilisation was lost after the first cycle and swelling potential increased at the subsequent cycle. However, after the first few wetting and drying cycles, the swelling potential of samples stabilised with lime and cement was unchanged with increasing the cycles of wetting and drying.

Keywords:

• expansive soil
• stabilised soil
• wetting and drying cycles
• lime
• cement
• coal ash

Notes

1. Email: [email protected]

2. Email: [email protected]

3. Graduate member of ICE and member of BGA. Email: [email protected]

Additional information

Notes on contributors

M. R.S. Pereshkafti

1

B. Parsaei

2

A. A. Javadi

3