Abstract
An experimental program carried out in this study seeks to understand the physical mechanisms of stabilization of an expansive soil by adding an inert material (sand) at various forms; mixing and intercalation layers of sand. The first aim of the study is to analyze the effect of stabilization on the variation of soil consistency. The results show a marked improvement in soil consistency. Then a study of the effect of the additives on the variation of the swelling in order to solve the lifting structures caused by this phenomenon is carried out. It can be seen that the addition of sand is capable of reducing the swelling action. We complete the study using an ultrasonic device, measuring the propagation velocities of ultrasonic pulse through the tested clay samples. This shows a change occurring in the porosity of the clay when sand is added to it. As a result some interesting conclusions concerning the expansive soil-material amendment are drawn.
Highlights
Expansive soils are those which show volumetric changes in response to change their moisture content.Such soils exhibit alternating cycles of swelling shrinkage, resulting in often substantial damage on civil engineering constructions
A series of tests was carried out to study the evolution of the limits of consistency using different assays of sand to point out the influence of the stabilizer on expansive clay soil consistency
2) The results obtained showed the effectiveness of sand in the stabilization of expansive soils
Summary
Expansive soils are those which show volumetric changes in response to change their moisture content. In Algeria, several cases of disorders very prejudicial, related to swelling, were announced on works in several areas: the oil refinery of In Amenas at the south-east of the country, the hospital of Sidi Chahmi [1,2], the hospital of N’Gaous (Batna), the railway line Ramdane Djamel (Jijel), and the brickyard of Mers El Kébir located at the North-West of the country aproximity of the town of Oran, university of Laghouat [3], the brickyard of Mers El Kébir (Oran), the grouping of Tlemcen-Mansourah, the brickyard of El Achour in Algiers This phenomenon is currently one of the first concerns for the specialists on soil mechanics, those faced with problems of expansive soil-structure interaction in semi-arid, arid and hyper arid areas where soils are generally in a state far from saturation.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
