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Published in:
2021 | OriginalPaper | Chapter
Utilization of Silica Fume and Slag to Improve the Geotechnical Properties of Expansive Soil
Authors : Ahmed Hussien Zaki, Samir Gad, Mahmoud AbuBakr Alsedik
Published in: Advancements in Geotechnical Engineering
Publisher: Springer International Publishing
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Abstract
Expansive soils are recognized as a problematic soil that imposes several challenges for civil engineers. Such soil undergo significant volume change in case of water penetrates into them, and they shrink as they lose moisture. Lightly-loaded engineering structures such as pavements, single story buildings, railways and walkways may experience severe damages when they are founded on such soils. Determination of expansive soils and quantifying their swelling potential and pressure caused by their expansion are essential in the application of geotechnical engineering practice. Therefore it is necessary to overcome problems associated with the swelling potential through introducing some other materials as an improvement aids.
The present study presents an experimental investigation of the swelling behavior of an expansive soil taken from Al-Andalos area at New Cairo, Egypt. Atterberg limits, Grain size distribution, Specific gravity, Optimum water content, maximum dry density, Swelling pressure, Free swell index (FSI) and swell potential of the soil were assessed. Based on the test results, soil sample classified as a highly clay percentage which leads to activity. Silica Fume and Slag were added to soil sample with ratios of 1%, 3%, 5%, 6%, 7% and 10% by dry weight of soil sample as an improvement and their effect on the geotechnical properties of tested soil were investigated.
The obtained test results were analyzed to establish the optimum percentage that can be added to improve the geotechnical properties of expansive soil in terms of swelling potential and unconfined compressive strength. Based on the obtained results, the treatment of the expansive soil with 5% of both Silica fume and Slag revealed better improvement with moderate swelling potential. Otherwise, the unconfined compressive strength should uncertainty trend depending on the shear parameter characteristics of both Silica fume and Slag.