Compressibility and hydraulic conductivity of a chemically treated expansive clay

Abstract

The paper presents a series of laboratory tests and evaluates the effect of lime and fly ash on the compressibility and hydraulic characteristics of an expansive soil in Cyprus. The tests were performed at different percentages of lime (0–7%) and fly ash (15 and 25%) by dry weight of soil, and additional tests were also performed on soils treated with 15% fly ash plus 3% lime. Previously published research reveals that few data are available concerning the compressibility and hydraulic conductivity of lime-treated soils. The results of this study indicate an increase in the vertical effective yield stress (apparent preconsolidation pressure) and a decrease in the compressibility characteristics of the treated soils. Moreover, unlike some of the findings in the literature, higher hydraulic conductivity values were obtained with time. This finding has been substantiated by the reduced cation exchange capacity (CEC) values, which indicate that the pozzolanic reaction causes the soils to become more granular in nature, resulting in higher hydraulic conductivity.Key words: cementation, compressibility, fly ash, hydraulic conductivity, lime.