Improving the geotechnical properties of high expansive clay using limestone powder
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TECHNICAL PAPER
Improving the geotechnical properties of high expansive clay using limestone powder Hawkar Hashim Ibrahim1 · Younis M. Alshkane2 · Yousif Ismael Mawlood1 · Krikar M. Gharrib Noori3 · Ahmed Mohammed Hasan1 Received: 1 July 2020 / Accepted: 1 September 2020 © Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2020
Abstract Soils are the most used construction materials in engineering projects, such as embankments, highways, and railways, in which huge amounts of soil are required. Unfortunately, sometimes, these soils are high expansive clay that makes problems to these projects, and at the same time, there are waste and by-product materials such as limestone powder that has not appropriately exploited in Iraq and causes environmental problems. This study aims to investigate the effect of limestone powder on the geotechnical properties such as unconfined compressive strength (UCS), compressibility indices, Atterberg limits, and swelling characteristics of high-plasticity clay (CH) in Erbil city in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq as this region is rich in limestone rocks. The high expansive clay was treated by different percentages (6%, 12%, 18%, 24%, 30%, and 36%) of limestone powder. The results indicated that the geotechnical properties could be improved by using limestone powder. Also, the optimum percentage of limestone powder that can be added to expansive soil is recommended. Keywords Limestone powder · Stabilization · High expansive clay · UCS
Introduction Soils are the most used material in engineering projects, such as embankments, highways, railways, etc., in which massive amounts of soil are required. Substantial surface zone of the world most nations are covered by clay soils [1–3]. The presence of clay minerals of the montmorillonite (smectite-group minerals) or some types of illites generally characterizes expansive soil [3]. It expands significantly with the increase in moisture content and shrinks as the moisture content decreases [4–7]. Because of its low strength and cyclic swell-shrink behavior, expansive soil is a problematic soil for civil engineering projects [8, 9]. Severe damages happen to lightweight buildings, retaining walls, pavements, * Younis M. Alshkane [email protected] 1
Civil Engineering Department, College of Engineering, Salahaddin University-Erbil, 44002 Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq
2
Department of Civil Engineering, University of Sulaimani, Sulaymaniyah, Kurdistan Region, Iraq
3
Koya Technical Institute, Erbil Polytechnic University, Koya, Kurdistan Region, Iraq
canal beds, linings, and other structures due to expansive properties [6, 10–12]. In addition, in some project areas where the soil is the main construction material, and suitable soil material sources are not involved at the site and transportation of these require a considerable cost. The presence of high-plasticity soil in the project site is not suitable for the structures to be built on; therefore, stabilizing the soil is crucial [13–19]. For improving the physical and/or chemical proper
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