Experimental and Theoretical Study to Evaluate the Previous Studies for Expansive Soils

Abstract

Expansive soils, characterized by their propensity to undergo volume changes in response to moisture variations, pose significant challenges to civil engineering due to the presence of the montmorillonite mineral. This mineral exhibits a high capacity for water absorption, leading to volumetric expansion and consequent soil heave. This study aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the behavior of expansive soils, focusing on variations induced by different proportions of bentonite enrichment. In this research, both experimental and theoretical approaches are employed. Experimentally, the swell percentage, liquid limit, plastic limit, shrinkage limit, maximum dry density, and optimum moisture content are determined for three bentonite-enriched soil samples: clay with 40%, 60%, and 80% bentonite. Theoretically, the validity of existing empirical equations is assessed in light of the experimentally observed behavior of the bentonite-enriched soils. This dual approach allows for a nuanced understanding of the behavior of expansive soils and provides a foundation for the development of more accurate predictive models. Through this integrated analysis, this study contributes to the body of knowledge on the impact of expansive soils on civil engineering structures and offers a pathway towards more effective management of these challenges.

Studying the Behavior of Expansive Soil Reinforced by Micropiles

“…Al-Gharbawi et al [9] investigated the experimental and theoretical methods to evaluate the swell pressure and free swell by using the previous studies on the swelling soil, tested new swelling soil with traditional tests, and made new relations between free swell and swelling pressure with the traditional tests. Various macro-and microstructural laboratory studies were used to quantify the increases in stiffness and strength of clay treated with xanthan gum [10].…”