Improvement of selected parts of Basrah governorate soil using resorcinol resin

Abstract EN

Weak soils in some parts of Basrah Governorate were mixed with 0.25, 0.50, 0.75, 1.00, 1.25, 1.50, 2 percent by weight of resorcinol resin, and the same clayey silt soils also mixed with 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, and 18 percent by weight of Portland cement to achieve the primary objectives of this research, respectively.

These involve : (a) the profitable amount of resorcinol resin, (b) improving some of the engineering properties of the studied soils that include : the plasticity, compacting these soils to increase the maximum dry density and lowering their optimum moisture content, and also reducing the ability of these soils to absorb water.

A noticeable improvement in the plasticity of resorcinol-treated soils were noticed as reflected in the rise in their Plastic Limits, A reasonable increase in their dry densities, and lowering in their optimum water contents, finally an appreciable reduction in the ability of these soils to absorb water for cured soils.

Cement-treated clayey silt soils failed to achieve any improvement in the soil engineering properties except the modest decrease in percent of the rapid water absorption values.

The cost of using this polymer resin as soil binder was reduced by 50 % as compared to the usual practices, which involve removing the clayey silt soils and replace them by sand or other materials a chemical plant is provided.

It is also suitable for our climatic condition.

Therefore, resorcinol resin acts as good soil binder.