Studying some of the geotechnical properties of stabilized Iraqi clayey soils

Abstract EN

In many road construction projects, if weak soils exist, stabilization and improvement of their properties is necessary.

The stabilization process aims at increasing the soil strength and reducing its permeability and compressibility.

An experimental program was undertaken to study the effect of engineering properties of kaolin clayey soils ((the kaolin was supplied by the General Company of Geological Survey and Mining which originally obtains from Al-Dewiekhla near Aukashat district in the west of Iraq)) when blended with lime (L) and Silica Fume (SF).

A series of laboratory experiments have been implemented for varieties of samples : 2.5 %, 5.0 %, 7.5 % and 10.0 % for (Lime) and 2.0 %, 4.0 % and 6.0 % for (Silica Fume).

These experiments are: consistency limits test, specific gravity test, compaction test, unconfined compression test and California bearing ratio test.

For each test, the optimal quantity of Lime (L) and the optimal percentage of Lime Silica Fume (LSF) combination were determined.

The results revealed that : the optimal percentage of LSF combination was attained at a (2.5 % L + 6.0 % SF) which served as control in this study.

This optimal percentage : decrease the liquid limit, plasticity index, specific gravity and maximum dry density ; and raise the optimum moisture content, unconfined compressive strength and California bearing ratio.

These results showed also, that the combination of LSF stabilization at (2.5 % L + 6.0 % SF) is better than the optimal one which achieved by Lime alone : 2.5 % L for plasticity index, 10.0%L for specific gravity, maximum dry density and optimum moisture content, 5.0 %L for unconfined compression stress and 7.5 % for Californiabearingratio.

All of these results indicated that the engineering properties of clayey soils can be enhanced, by blending Lime and Silica Fume together.