Geotechnical Properties of Clayey Soils Induced by the Presence of Sodium Chloride

Abstract

The presence of appreciable quantities of soluble salt indicates that engineering properties of clayey soils may change in the presence of percolating water. Hence, an attempt was made in laboratory investigation to study the geotechnical properties of clayey soils mixed with (0%, 5%, 10% and 15% by weight) of sodium chloride. Three type of clayey soils used having plasticity indices (12, 26 and 44%) were taken from three sites in Baghdad. Test Atterberg limits, unconfined compression, specific gravity, compaction and consolidation test, were conducted to investigate the effect of salt content on soil properties. The results showed that the plasticity index, optimum moisture contents, compression index, and unconfined compressive strength decrease with increasing salt content. The max dry unit weight slightly increases with increase salt content while it increases up to 5% salt then decreases for high plasticity.