Comparison Study on the Effect of Different Additives on the Geotechnical Behavior of Expansive Soil

Abstract

Expansive clay soils are found all across the world and cause significant harm to structures and infrastructures. When expansive soil absorbs water, it expands and contracts due to variations of moisture content. Civil engineering structures constructed on expansive soil often suffer severe damage as a result of their dramatic volume change. A mitigation strategy can involve improving the ground using mechanical or chemical techniques.  In this study, chemical stabilization was employed as a ground-improving strategy. The investigation was done to compare the changes in the properties of expansive soil with marble powder, limestone powder and glass powder at different percentages. In this study, the impact of marble powder, limestone powder and glass powder on consistency, standard proctor test, one-dimensional consolidation, unconfined compressive strength (UCS), Energy–Dispersive X- Ray (EDX), chemical composition, X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) compared. Marble powder content and limestone powder content ranged from 6%, 12%, 18%, 24%, 30% and 36%, and glass powder content ranged from 6%, 12%, 18%, 27%, and 36% (all based on the weight of powders to the weight of dry soil). The additives were positively affected on the soil properties at the early percentages. All additives at 18% considerably decreased optimum moisture content and consistency limits, while the maximum dry unit weight and UCS increased.  .