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Soft soil always deal with high compressibility, high water content, low shear strength and low permeability. All these challenges lead to soil failure such as excessive settlement, failure of sub structure which is lead to superstructure damage and many others failure. Hence, soil stabilization is one of the option in ground improvement technique by adding other stabilization agent either natural basis or chemical basis. This paper critically reviewed about advantages and disadvantages of chemical stabilizer namely traditional and non traditional. Also closely reviewed on polymer and lignosulfonate as soil stabilization agent in various type of soil. Reviewed and analysing of some references revealed that using non traditional stabilizer have more advantages than traditional stabilizer in term of engineering properties as well as chemical composition. Polymer and lignosulfonate also have their on specialties in order to corporate with various type of soil.

Abstract. Building construction on soft soils including on peat has many challenges and difficulties. The failed and deteriorated buildings have a big impact on the community. The IConCEES International Workshop 2015 which was conducted on October 2015 convened as a joint venture between Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM) and the University College of Technology Sarawak (UCTS). The aim was to invite regional experts from academia and the industry to formally present and discuss the various construction problems encountered when working with peat. The discussions were divided into two divisions; infrastructure and building construction. This paper discusses the outcomes of the workshop and focuses on the factors and relevant challenges when constructing buildings on peat. The experts have discussed regulatory and construction issues including: drainage issues, site investigation practices, monitoring and construction guidelines. A few suggestions were outlined as a remedy to these problems and to better assist the peat practitioner at work.

Peat soils occur in many countries and formed naturally through the decomposition of plant and animal matter. These soils are known as a very problematic soft soil due to its low bearing capacity and high compressibility. These two main factors may be based on the characteristics of the soil itself. This study is focused on its physical properties and shrinkage measurement. It is also to investigate the shrinkage measurement that obtained from the diameter at four dimensional points and bar linear shrinkage method for both location peat sample. There are varies method that can be used in order to obtain a full description of the shrinkage behavior of peat. The sample was taken from two different locations which are Parit Nipah and Pontian. Linear shrinkage method is used to determine the soil shrinkage from linear measurements on a bar mould with disturbed soil that passing 0.425mm sieve. However, this method was modified by using undisturbed sample to compare the result with bar linear shrinkage method and the measurement was obtained by the reduction of its diameter at four points of the sample. Linear shrinkage values obtained from Parit Nipah and Pontian by following British Standard method are 34.77% and 33.09% respectively while modified linear method gives the value of 35.25% for Parit Nipah and 32.85% for Pontian. Modified method shows that peat soil from both locations shrinks in irregular shape due to Point C of Parit Nipah and Pontian peat sample has the smallest diameter compared to other points within 24 hours oven-dried. It also shows that Parit Nipah peat soil has a higher percentage of linear shrinkage for both method instead of Pontian peat soil. The linear shrinkage values that obtained from bar linear shrinkage and modified linear shrinkage gives smaller different values which is nearly same for both method.

Abstract. Geotechnical properties are influenced by the different types of soil. The objective of this study was to investigate the behaviour of geotechnical properties on different types of soil. This paper compares some geotechnical properties of Kaolin, Laterite and Peat. Laterite was collected from Bukit Banang while Peat sample was collected from Parit Nipah, both locations were in Batu Pahat, Johor. Meanwhile, kaolin that was used in this research was manufactured kaolin. A laboratory testing program consists of basic properties tests were conducted in order to obtain general information on the materials (e.g Natural moisture content, Atterberg Limit, Specific gravity, grain size analysis, chemical composition and pH). Further tests have been carried out in determining the geotechnical properties of the soil which evaluates its behaviour for design and construction suitability. The results showed that the Natural/initial moisture content for, peat is higher than laterite and kaolin. Meanwhile Specific gravity for Peat is the lowest among kaolin and laterite. It was also found that the pH of all soil is acidic which lay in the range of 3.76-5.95.The UCS and CBR is compacted in same energy and been tested. This paper summarizes the result of analysis performed on all tests conducted. From the study it can be summarized that geotechnical properties of a soil is highly depending on its type.