Compaction Water Content Research Articles

Effect of initial water content and shear stress on immersion-induced creep deformation and strength characteristics of gravelly mudstone

Soft sedimentary rocks undergo deterioration due to weathering induced by dry–wet cycles in a process known as slaking. To investigate the effect of the initial water content and shear stress on the immersion-induced creep deformation and strength characteristics of gravelly mudstone (slaking index = 1 and 2), creep tests were conducted using a modified direct-shear-test apparatus under different creep-stress ratios. Crushed mudstone with different degrees of compaction and initial water content was subjected to immersion under the creep-shear-stress conditions. After the creep shear and vertical displacements stabilized, a monotonic shear loading was applied. During creep immersion, the increment in the creep-shear displacement increases as the creep-stress ratio increases and the initial water content and/or degree of compaction decrease. Retaining a high initial water content in crushed mudstone is recommended to maintain its shear-stress stability. Under the same density, the peak shear strength decreased with an increase in the increment of the creep-shear displacement during creep immersion. The results indicate that the occurrence of immersion-induced creep deformation in addition to slaking can result in the deterioration of slope stability.

Reliability Evaluation of Compaction Water Content of Plantain Peel Ash Treated Lateritic Soil

A first-order reliability method (FORM)was employed to assess the compaction water content, CWC (i.e optimum moisture content) of residual lateritic soil mixed with plantain peel ash (PPA) and compacted with British Standard Light (BSL)and British Standard Heavy (BSH)energies, for flexible pavement applications. A Multi-linear regression model was generated from values obtained via laboratory tests using Mini-tab R15 software, which served as a performance function that was applied for the analysis. Using the regression models for CWC, established distributions for the relevant soil factors, safety index (SI) was computed using CWC as a dependent factor and the soil factors Plantain Peel Ash (PPA); Plasticity Index (PI); Percentage File (PF); Specific Gravity (Gs) and Compactive Effort (CE)as self-determining factors). The results revealed that the safety index is sensitive to changeability in the soil factors. Outcome from the analysis show that Gs and CE are greatly affected by alteration in the coefficient of variation (COV), and so it is essential to control Gs and CE in lateritic soil–PPA mixes in road pavements. From the safety index values it reveals that PPA content has a minimal consequence as its value virtually remained constant at all COV used. Stochastically, lateritic soil mixed with PPA produces an acceptable safety index value of 1.0, as mentioned by the Nordic Committee on Building Regulation (NCBR) at 10% COV for BSH of compaction water content only. Therefore a more effective additive such as cement, lime, or bitumen is recommended for modeling CWC of lateritic soil-PPA mixes for road pavement at 10–100% series of COV.
 Keywords: Coefficient of variation; compaction water content; lateritic soil; plantain peel ash; reliability index

Corn residue baling and grazing impacts on corn yield under irrigated conservation tillage systems

AbstractCrop residue grazing or baling is common in the western Corn Belt. However, its impacts on subsequent crop yields under different irrigation levels and tillage systems are unclear. We investigated the impacts of corn (Zea mays L.) residue baling and cattle grazing on soil compaction, water content, and corn yield under full and limited irrigated no‐till in Nebraska during three years. In Years 2 and 3, an additional tillage treatment (strip till) was implemented to evaluate its effects on grain yield under the above treatments. Residue removal effects on compaction and water content did not vary with irrigation level. Grazing (3.68 animal units ha−1) minimally impacted compaction and soil profile water content compared to no removal. Baling increased cone index by 34–53% in the 0‐to‐12.5‐cm depth and decreased water content by 6 cm compared to no removal. Residue removal effects on yield did not depend on irrigation. Residue removal impacts depended on tillage in Year 3 only. Full irrigation increased corn yields up to 11% compared to limited irrigation. Strip till increased yield by 11% compared to no‐till in Year 2 only. Baling and grazing had no effect on corn yield in Year 1, but baling and grazing increased yield by 9% compared to no removal in Year 2, likely due to lower water content. In Year 3, grazing and baling increased yield by 9% under no‐till but not strip till. Overall, grazing had minimal impacts while baling increased yield and compaction and decreased water content with few variations due to irrigation or tillage.

Some Geotechnical Properties of Clay Soil Enhanced with Silica Fume

Engineering structures found in, or on, some clay soil types may be subject to different damages due to the problematic nature and unfavorited properties of these soils. The unfavorited properties of these soils include shrink and swell changes, high settlement, and low bearing capacity. These soils have high sensitivity to moisture change. The way to reduce or overcome the unfavorited properties of problematic soils is the treatment or enhancement of these soils using different mechanical or chemical methods. In the present paper, silica fume selected as a soil stabilizer material, the effect of different contents of this material on the geotechnical properties of expansive clay soil has been experimentally investigated. Tests included soil specific gravity, soil plasticity, soil compaction, and soil compressibility. It was noted that silica fume, with different contents, decreased the specific gravity, and compaction density, while the compaction water content and Atterberg limits increased. The consolidation parameters of the expansive clay soil were affected by adding the silica fume. The silica fume reduced the consolidation parameters values of the clay soil. At low content silica fume, less than 10%, a very slight reduction can be seen especially for the rebound index value. The final findings of this paper appeared that the high settlement of clay soil can be reduced with the presence of silica fume.

TBM-spoil characterization and utilization at the Follo Line project

The potential use of surplus materials commonly considered as waste has been investigated by the project “Geomaterials in the Circular Economy” (GEOreCIRC). TBM spoil is one of the materials which were assessed, based on data from the Follo Line tunnel project in Oslo, Norway. For this tunnel, four TBMs were used simultaneously and the tunnel generated almost 9 million metric tonnes of spoil. The excavated TBM spoil was used to establish a building platform for a new district in the Oslo municipality, by filling a 30 m deep valley. An extensive campaign of laboratory testing, field measurements and monitoring was conducted for the deposit. The geotechnical properties, such as grain size distribution, grain shape, brittleness, density, permeability and friction angle were determined. The optimal water content for compaction and maximum dry density were determined using the Standard Proctor test. Field measurements included plate load tests and nuclear density gauge (Troxler), with several measurements for each layer of the deposit. In addition, the spoil was analysed for a wide range of possible contaminants associated with natural rock minerals and machinery used in the tunnelling process. The results show that the level of contamination is low, and related to background levels from the bedrock itself, with levels below specified threshold values for contaminated soil according to Norwegian regulations.

Study of the Curing Behaviour of an Algerian Calcareous Crust

For some compaction water content, calcareous crust remains a solid, and may readily be collapsing when the saturation increased. After a period that depends on the evaporation of the water, the calcareous crust compacted begins to harden or gain strength. The strength gain is very rapid at quick drying, but it will be slow, for slow drying. Evaporation from the calcareous crust compacted should be related to the increase in strength. This experimental work carried out on samples dried under different conditions, attempts to explain the origin of the curing and the existence of a water content for which it is maximum. SEM observations and mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP) test have shown that the assumption that suction contributes only to an increase in cohesion may not be always true. The dissolution of calcite during the imbibition may also influence the curing.

Effect of compaction water content and stress ratio on permanent deformation of a subgrade lateritic soil

Permanent deformation is a potential distress that affects the functional characteristics of pavement. Subgrade soil might contribute to different levels of permanent deformation depending on traffic intensity. This paper assesses the stress ratio effects as well as compaction water content variation on permanent deformation of subgrade soil, presents some contributions to understanding the Shakedown concept in fine-grained soils and evaluates models for estimating soil plastic strain. Repeated load triaxial (RLT) tests were performed on lateritic sandy soil in order to obtain: permanent deformation and Shakedown parameters. Findings indicated a prevalence of stress ratio in permanent deformation for a specified compaction water content range (wopt ± 1.5%). However, analysis of plastic strain rates showed that permanent deformation might be more influenced by compaction water content than by stress ratio, mainly in cases where compaction water content range is wider. Furthermore, stabilization, i.e. Shakedown first phase occurrence, was achieved under all test conditions, in spite of low deformation levels. Lastly, the model adjusted in function of stress ratio and compaction water content closely represented the complexity of soil plastic strain accumulation.

Stabilization of iron ore tailings with cement and bentonite: a case study on Golgohar mine

The abundance of mining activities continuously increases mine wastes/tailings that require storage/disposal. It is well understood that the accumulation of tailings around mines, and consequently, their spreading in the environment could cause serious ecological hazards. Reuse and recycling of mine tailing materials, in construction and earthwork applications (such as non-structural building elements, roads), offset possible environmental pollutions and safeguard natural resources. This study investigates experimentally the cement/bentonite stabilization of iron ore tailings from the Golgohar iron ore mine, which is the largest producer of raw (un-smelted) iron products in Iran. A comprehensive series of compaction and uniaxial compression tests was performed on mixtures of cement/bentonite and tailings. Test results reveal that the introduction of cement/bentonite to iron ore tailings requires higher water content for optimum compaction and results in lower dry density. The addition of bentonite increases the unconfined compressive strength (UCS) very little, whereas there is a great strength enhancement for tailing-cement mixtures, particularly after a period of moist curing. The cement-stabilized iron ore tailings may be incorporated in road constructions as they easily fulfill strength requirements of base and subbase course layers, while the bentonite-treated tailings are applicable as cover materials in layered disposal of tailings.

Influence of biopolymer on gas permeability in compacted clay at different densities and water contents

Reducing soil permeability by natural biopolymers, which absorb water to form viscous hydrated colloids, may sustainably improve earthen structures such as landfill covers. Previous studies mainly investigated biopolymer effects on water permeability of saturated soils. However, performance of biopolymers in unsaturated soil is unclear, especially for gas permeability. This study examined effects of two biopolymers on gas permeability of compacted clay at various soil densities and compaction water contents using a flexible wall permeameter. The density is represented by degree of compaction (DOC). Statistical analysis was also performed for the three replicates of 95% DOC. Soil microstructure was analyzed by mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP) and scanning electronic microscopy (SEM). Results showed that gas permeability of clay with biopolymers was always lower than that of pure clay with reduction of up to two orders of magnitude. No significant difference was found in the performance between the two biopolymers for most conditions. This is consistent with the statistical results. Reducing gas permeability by biopolymers is due to the reduction in soil macro pores and pore clogging as evidenced by MIP and SEM results. For 75% and 85% DOC, the clay with and without biopolymers showed an increase in gas permeability as compaction water content increased. Until DOC reached 95%, only gas permeability of the clay with biopolymers decreased with an increasing water content since viscous biopolymers stick soil particles and reduce macro pores. Moreover, the permeability reduction by biopolymers was enhanced with an increasing water content as more water is available to hydrate biopolymers and thus facilitate pore clogging. Statistical analysis also supports that the influence of biopolymers becomes more significant with an increasing water content.

CBR Laboratory Analysis for Determining The Number of Compaction Tracks to Achieve Field CBR

Compaction is the process of grounding the soil by removing air from the pores of the soil mechanically (beaten, crushed and so on) Compaction is carried out with the aim of improving the technical properties of the soil, namely obtaining the densest soil conditions (maximum solid state). In the process of compaction water content also plays a significant role to achieve maximum density value. Water is a lubricant for the soil to help unify the aggregate and remove air in the compaction process. From the results of compaction in the laboratory can be seen how much compaction energy is given and optimum water content (Wopt) to achieve maximum compaction. From the results of compaction in the laboratory can be applied for maximum compaction in the field, from the calculation of compaction energy in labour from the hammer weight of 4.5 kg, 45.7 cm falling height, g = 10 m/s2. The compaction energy is 1134 kg.m/s2. To get the number of compaction paths needed to achieve maximum compaction can be determined from the equipment used, the amount of energy used as an example of a vibro roller capacity of 10500 kg, get the solidification energy 164.1 (kg.m2/s). So the trajectory required vibro roller tool as much as seven trajectories.

Microstructure of Compacted Loess and Its Influence on the Soil‐Water Characteristic Curve

Soil‐water characteristic curve (SWCC) is a key constitutive relationship for studying unsaturated soil, and as is known, microstructure of the soil has great influence on the mechanical behaviour of the soil. In this study, the wetting and drying soil‐water characteristic curves (SWCCs) of loess compacted at three different water contents were measured using the filter paper method. And microproperties of compacted loess were obtained by the mercury intrusion method (MIP) and scanning electron microscope (SEM). Results show that the compaction water contents have significant influence on the SWCC and microstructure. The pore size distribution (PSD) curves have great differences in macropore range and are similar in micropore range. Loess compacted at optimum and dry of optimum are generally connected, while there are certain number of nonintruded pores in loess compacted at wet of optimum. The SWCC curves vary significantly in low suction (ua − uw < 1000 kPa) and tend to converge together in high suction (ua − uw ≥ 1000 kPa). Hysteresis in the SWCCs is more obvious for loess compacted at optimum and dry of optimum in the matric suction of 0∼100 kPa; however, there is a pronounced hysteresis for loess compacted at wet of optimum in full matric suction range. The characteristic of the SWCCs including their hysteresis can be well interpreted from the loess microstructure.

Simulating the drying behavior of rammed earth columns

Rammed earth construction provides an efficient alternative construction material to limit energy consumption and CO2 emission. It possesses various characteristics of a sustainable material, but its mechanical capacity is sensitive to humidity variations. It is, therefore, important to better understand water transport within rammed earth when subjected to varying ambient conditions. In this context, the present work aims to analyze the hydraulic behavior of a reduced piece of rammed earth wall consisting of a column of size 14cm x 14cm x 30cm subjected to drying from the initial compaction water content in an indoor environment. The columns had transient non-uniform relative humidity, which was measured in-situ. Thermo-hydraulic coupled numerical modeling was developed using realistic atmospheric boundary conditions. The material and hydric parameters were chosen from an experimental study previously performed at the material scale. A parametric study was performed in order to evaluate the sensitivity of the modeling to both material parameters and boundary conditions. The results of the numerical simulations were highly sensitive to parameter values used for the water retention curve and the surface mass transfer coefficient, with a satisfactory matching of experimental results only achieved after adjusting initial estimates of relevant parameter values.

Effects of microstructure on desiccation cracking of a compacted soil

Desiccation cracking has a significant influence on the hydro-mechanical behaviour of soils. Most previous studies focus on the desiccation cracking of slurry soil samples, whereas little attention has been paid to compacted soils. This study aims to investigate the effects of microstructure on the desiccation cracking of a compacted lean clay. Five soil samples are mixed with different water contents including 12.5%, 14.5%, 16.5% (optimum water content), 18.5%, and 20.5%, compacted to generate different initial soil microstructures. After compaction, the soil samples are subjected to saturation and then the same drying process. The pore size distribution of each soil sample is characterized by performing mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP) test. The change in water content and the evolution of surface crack pattern during the drying process are continuously monitored. Experimental results show that the addition of water content during soil compaction significantly influences the microstructure and desiccation cracking behaviour of soils. With increasing compaction water content from the dry side to the wet side of the optimum water content, soil microstructure transits from an aggregate structure to a dispersed structure, resulting in the change of pore size distribution from bimodal to unimodal. For soils with aggregate structures, the desiccation cracks initiate simultaneously and distribute uniformly throughout the soil body. With decreasing water content, crack geometrical parameters such as surface crack ratio and crack density increase almost linearly. Comparatively, for soils with dispersed structures, more localized growth of primary and secondary cracks are observed and the crack geometrical parameters show a two-stage linear growth during drying. This study provides microstructural interpretations to important aspects of desiccation cracking in compacted clayey soils and may guide the design of clay materials for geotechnical engineering applications.

Ranking of influence factors and control technologies for the post-construction settlement of loess high-filling embankments

Ground treatments and post-construction settlement (PCS) control technologies are hot topics within the loess high-filling embankment (LHFE) research area. Taking the test section of a high filling airport constructed on a thick loess foundation as an example, the creep behaviour of undisturbed loess and compacted loess under high-pressure and different initial conditions are investigated using laboratory tests. The Mod-Burgers creep model of loess is proposed; a FLAC-3D simulation study is conducted to explore the PCS of high fill embankment under different influence factors. The research results show that the proposed Mod-Burgers model and equivalent creep modulus clearly reflect the long-term deformation characteristics of compacted and undisturbed loess. The filling height has the greatest impact on the PCS of high filling body, the compaction degree and water content are the second most important influence factors on the PCS of the high filling body. The pile length and pile spacing are the third important influence factors on the PCS of the original foundation. For the construction control of an LHFE in the gully, different treatment methods should be adopted according to different functional zones. It is recommended to adopt the dynamic compaction method for shallow loess foundation, and the collapsibility of loess should be eliminated. For thick loess foundation, the vibrating sinking gravel pile method is well-suited for treating an original foundation with low water content; cement-fly ash-gravel pile and lime-soil compaction pile are suitable for treating an original foundation with high water content.

Desiccation-Induced Volumetric Shrinkage Characteristics of Highly Expansive Tropical Black Clay Treated with Groundnut Shell Ash for Barrier Consideration

Contamination of underground water as a result of excessive crack on clay liner material is a prevalent phenomenon in an engineered landfill. Volumetric shrinkage strain (VSS) is one of the veritable properties considered for selection of materials suitable for liners and cover in waste containment systems. Material devoid of excessive shrinkage and cracking during climate change could possibly make a better barrier material that will eventually limit or control infiltration of leachate in an engineered landfill. Hence, to obtain a clay liner and covers system that are safe and robust, stabilization of such soil (expansive clay soils) becomes imperative. In order to stabilize or reduce excessive cracking and shrinkage of this soil, earlier researchers have employed cement, chemicals, and fibers. However, in recent times, the ill effects of these stabilizers on the environment have been realized, and hence their replacement with sustainable materials that are mostly agro and or industry by-products is becoming necessary. Tropical dark grey clay treated with up to 8 % Groundnut shell ash (GSA), was carried out. Specimen were compacted using British standard light (BSL) and British standard heavy (BSH) compactive efforts; at water contents between 2% dry and 4% wet of optimum. The compacted specimens were extruded and subjected to drying under laboratory conditions to evaluate its desiccation induced shrinkage and hence its suitability as a cover material in waste containment facilities. Results of this study show that changes in mass and volumetric shrinkage strain were large within the first five days of drying. Volumetric shrinkage strain increased with higher moulding water contents (MWC) and water contents relative to optimum (WRO). The effect of GSA treatment on VSS was not consistent from -2 to +2 % of optimum moisture content. For specimen prepared at +4 % of optimum moisture content, VSS decreased up to a threshold of 28% at 6 % GSA and 30% at 4% GSA for BSH and BSL compactive effort, respectively. Generally, lower compactive effort (BSL) with higher moulding water content and lower dry density produced higher VSS. A regression function was developed from the data to estimate VSS given the compaction water content relative to optimum (WRO), groundnut shell ash content (GSA), plasticity index (PI), percentage fine content (PF) and compactive effort (CE). Compaction water content relative to optimum significantly correlated with VSS, thus should be strictly regulated during field compaction to realize a durable hydraulic barrier. Keywords: Atterberg limit, compaction, desiccation, expansive soil, groundnut shell ash, statistical analysis DOI : 10.7176/CER/11-8-06 Publication date :September 30 th 2019

Effect of compactive effort on the performance of fine-grained soil–cement mixtures

Cement stabilisation is a common chemical ground improvement technique. However, the energy-intensive production of Portland cement and its associated high carbon dioxide emissions give soil–cement mixtures a low sustainability rating. Cement treatment of fine-grained soils is particularly problematic due to the relatively high cement contents used in practice (i.e. >12% by mass). Decreasing the amount of cement necessary to ensure appropriate mechanical performance in roadway subgrades, particularly fine-grained subgrades, could rapidly enhance the sustainability rating of cement stabilisation. This work explored the behaviour of low- and high-plasticity clays treated with low cement contents (3–6% by mass). In this experimental study, the small- and large-strain mechanical responses of the materials were evaluated using P-wave velocity and unconfined compression tests, respectively. The results indicate that the small-strain stiffness and strength of soil–cement mixtures is very sensitive to changes in compaction water content and compactive effort. The authors conclude that while the practical application of low-cement–soil mixtures is possible, it requires strict construction control and adherence to very tight tolerances, which makes it impractical for most highway construction projects.

Soil physical and mechanical attributes in response to successive harvests under sugarcane cultivation in Northeastern Brazil

Soil degradation due to agricultural field traffic is a serious issue affecting soil functions in modern agriculture. With sugarcane cultivation, the number of harvests through successive ratoons has become a challenge for the maintenance of soil quality in the topsoil and subsoil. The objective of this study was to evaluate physical and mechanical responses of soil to successive harvests under sugarcane cultivation in an Ultisol of coastal tablelands in Northeastern Brazil. Disturbed and undisturbed soil samples were collected from five sites at depths of 0–0.20 m (topsoil) and 0.20–0.40 m (subsoil), in which one, two, three or four harvests had taken place. In addition, one site had been kept without cultivation for one year after a sugarcane crop. Organic carbon (OC), maximum soil bulk density (BDmax), critical water content (wc), degree of compaction (DC), precompression stress (σp), compression index (CI) and the angle of internal friction (φ) were measured and subjected to multivariate analyses for the different sugarcane ratoons. Soil compaction indicators and OC in the topsoil were sensitive to the number of harvests, where compaction and OC increased with each ratoon sugarcane crop. The increase in OC with successive harvests resulted in a decrease in the BDmax and an increase in the wc, which suggest that optimum water content for compaction is moved to wetter zone due organic matter effects. The DC increased considerably after the third harvest, and it was at a maximum level before the sugarcane renovation (i.e. at the harvest immediately before the new seeding). In the subsoil, immediately below the plough layers, where plough pan formation typically occurs in conventional tillage, considerable changes in the soil physical and mechanical indicators are unlikely to occur due to the persistence of compacted layers. The increase in the organic carbon content results in better soil physical condition in the soil surface, but the degree of compaction may slightly increase due to frequency of traffic caused by the increase in the number of harvests, becoming compaction more severe close to the sugarcane renovation.

Factors Influencing the Soil-Water Characteristics of Unsaturated Tropical Silty Sand

Fine grain soils have a complex engineering behaviour which depends but not limited to moisture content, changes in external pressure and characteristics of the pore medium. Sand often contains a considerable percent of silt which is expected to alter its natural behaviour. This composite matrix is referred to as silty-sand. To understand the behaviour of this matrix under varying moisture conditions, some of the factors influencing the soil-water characteristics of unsaturated silty sands were investigated. Representative samples were collected from a river bank after its index properties were predetermined in the laboratory. The samples were compacted at different moisture conditions and compactive efforts. With the pressure plate extractor device, the Soil-Water Characteristic (SWC) was obtained and SWC Curves plotted. Compaction at greater compactive effort (modified proctor) and optimum moisture content produced the largest air entry value and reduced air voids. The air entry values of the soils obtained ranged from 21 kPa to 57 kPa. Also changes in the shape of the SWCC were consistent with changes in pore size which occur by varying compaction conditions. Result shows that soil structure, compaction water content, compactive effort and percentage of fine particles are factors affecting the Soil-Water Characteristics.

The effect of clay water content in the Jet Erosion Test

The understanding of the onset of breaching induced by surface erosion is fundamental to enable definition of the level of protection afforded by embankments and provision of standards for the design of new structures and the upgrading of existing ones. Compacted embankment materials are generally partially saturated due to seasonal variation in the water content. At the onset of the overflow process embankments undergo to a wetting process due to the changes at the outer surface boundary conditions (i.e. overflow). Erosion behaviour is known to be a counterbalance between gravity forces and shear erosion forces. However, as the particle size decreases (i.e. clayey soils), gravitational forces become negligible and electrochemical interaction between particles play a dominant role. Clay microstructure (e.g. particle configuration and inter-particle forces) changes with the hydro-mechanical stresses history. Thus, it is necessary to consider the microstructural changes in particle configuration to understand the influence of microstructure on the macroscopic behaviour of clay during erosion. Upon wetting, clay have a swelling/collapse behaviour. This research presents experimental results on erosion of clay samples compacted at the same initial dry density but with different compaction water content. The influence of different wetting times on erosion is also investigated. We show that for a given as-compacted water content, the longer the wetting stage, and hence the higher the sample water content, the more erodible the samples. Additionally, for samples compacted at the same dry density, the ones compacted on the dry side of optimum are more erodible than samples compacted at the optimum water content, despite the lower water content at formation. We hypothesise that this may be due to the formation of a different initial microstructure in sample on the dry side of optimum (i.e. bi-modal pore size distribution). Our results contribute to the fundamental understanding of time-dependent mechanisms that influence erosion of clay embankments during overflow and, hence, to embankment failure. In addition, these tests show how basic concepts of unsaturated soil mechanics can serve as a guide to ‘design’ the compaction conditions of embankment material.

Volume Change Behavior of Stabilized Expansive Clay with Lignosulfonate

This paper presents the swelling and consolidation characteristics of Lignosulfonate (LS) stabilized expansive clay. Expansive clay samples of Amol city in Iran have been used in this research. Based on Atterberg limits and unconfined compressive strength tests, optimum percentage of LS for treatment of this clay was determined 0.75% by soil dry weight. To investigate swelling and consolidation properties of untreated and LS-treated remoulded samples, one dimensional swell and consolidation tests were conducted on these samples. Test results showed that LS has considerable effect on the consolidation and swelling behavior of the expansive clay. Moreover, the effects of compaction water content change and cyclic wetting and drying on the volume change properties of unstabilized and LS-stabilized samples were investigated. Untreated and LS-treated specimens showed different consolidation behavior to the changes of compaction moisture content due to the altering of soil expansivity category from high to moderate. The SEM images of samples showed that the soil specific area was reduced because of stabilization. This reduction in soil specific area was led to the decrease of affinity of samples to moisture increase, so the volume change of expansive clay was decreased.