Compaction and consolidation characteristics of chemically treated expansive soil of Jamshoro

Abstract

The Jamshoro soil is a weak and expansive soil. The construction of infrastructure on such soils has resulted severe damages and huge maintenance costs. Thus, it needs treatment to enhance its geotechnical properties. This research work investigates the effects of chemical stabilizers such as lime, fly ash, and silica fume on the compaction and consolidation characteristics of expansive soil of Jamshoro. The stabilizers were added individually in different proportions (5%, 10%, 15%, and 20%) in the soil. The results show that maximum dry density decreased, while optimum moisture content increased with the increase of the stabilizers’ content in the soil. The compression index and swelling index of lime treated soil significantly decreased than that of soils treated with silica fume and fly ash. On the other side, the coefficient of consolidation and permeability of fly ash treated soil considerably increased than that of soils treated with silica fume and lime.