The Effect of Organic Matter's Content on the Engineering Properties of Expansive Soils and Treatment Methods


Abstract in English

This paper aims at investigating the effect of organic matter content on the engineering properties of the soil. The effect of the organic matter on both the consistency limits and strength have been investigated. The results show that the organic matter increases both the plasticity and the strength of soil. Mathematical formula is presented in which the unconfined compression strength of the soil is related to the organic matter content. It was concluded that increasing the organic matter content increases the displacement corresponding to the maximum shear stress. In addition, the effect of the organic matter has been studied and the results show that the organic matter increases the compressibility of the soil. Stabilizing the soil with cement has been investigated as well. The results show that adding the cement to the soil improves the strength of the soil and decreases its swelling potential. Depending on the organic matter content, a mathematical formula is presented to determine the required cement ratio to treat the soil to decrease its swelling potential.

References used

Asadi A, Huat BBK, Hanafi MM, Mohamed TA, Shariatmadari N (2010) Physicochemical sensitivities of tropical peat to electrokinetic environment. Geosci. J., 14(1): 67-75
ASTM, Standard D2487, “Standard Practice for Classification of Soils for Engineering Purposes (Unified Soil Classification System(,” Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol. 04.08, ASTM International, West Conshohocken, PA, pp. 249-260, 2004
Axelsson K., Johansson Sven- Erick, Anderson Ronny. )2002(. “Stabilization of Organic Soils by Cement and Puzzolanic Reactions-Feasibility Study.”, Swedish deep stabilization Research Centre, Report 3, English translation, 15-16

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