SOIL STABILZATION OF

EXPANSIVE SOIL
HASIB UR REHMAN
ASIF ULLAH
ABDUL HANAN
1. PRESENTATION CONTENTS

1. PROBLEM STATEMENT
2. INTRODUCTION
3. STABILIZATION TECHNIQUES
4. REFERENCES
PROBLEM STATEMENT
• The main objective of the study is to study the
techniques which are being employed in
stabilization of expansive soils throughout the
world and in Pakistan .
INTRODUCTION
Expansive clay is a clay that is prone to large
volume changes that are directly related to
changes in water content.
These are soils that have a relatively high
percentage of clay minerals and are subject to
changes in volume with changing moisture
conditions.
PROBLEMS OFTEN ASSOCIATED WITH
EXPANSIVE SOILS

• Foundation cracks.
• Heaving and cracking of floor slabs and walls.
• Jammed doors and windows.
• Ruptured pipelines.
• Heaving and cracking of sidewalks and roads.
residential drive way damaged by swelling soil

typical roller coaster surface formed by

upheaval of soil
cracks in exterior wall as result of upward soil
expansion major cracks in exterior walls at doors and
windows
Types of cracking damage due to expansive
soils
FACTORS CONTROLING ACTUAL
SWELL
• DENSITY: Dense clay will swell more when it became wetted.
• WATER CONTENT: Dry clay will swell more than there wet
counter parts.
• TYPE AND AMOUNT OF MINERAL: Actual swell will depend
upon the mineral type present in clay.
• LOAD CONDITIONS: Surcharge loads reduce the swell to such
a degree that the expansion can be held to zero in presence of
water.
IDENTIFICATION OF SWELLING
SOIL
VISUAL IDENTIFICATION
• Field estimates of shrink-swell potential can
be made by observing desiccation cracks.
• The degree of potential swell determines the
size of the cracks (Day, R. W., 1999).
1. Greater potential swell is indicated by large
and more frequent polygon arrangements of
cracks.
2. low shrink/swell means that potential for
shrinkage cracks developing is low.
VISUAL IDENTIFICATION
LABORATORY TESTS
• Atterberg limits are the strong indicative for
presence of swelling minerals in soil.
• LIQUID LIMIT : If the liquid limit is greater
than 50% the soil can be suspected as swelling
soil.
• PLASTIC LIMIT : If the plastic limit is greater
than 30 % the soil can also termed as swelling
soil.
• FREE SWELL :If free swell is greater than 30%
it is another strong indication of swelling soil.
CLASSIFICATION OF EXPANSIVE CLAYS
LL
Degree of Expansion

Chen IS 1498

Low <30 20-35 Liquid limit

Medium 30-40 35-50

High 40-60 50-70

Very High >60 70-90

lp :%
Degree of Expansion

Holts And Gibbs Chen IS 1498

Plasticity index
Low <20 0-15 12

Medium Dec-34 Oct-35 23-Dec

High 23-45 20-55 23-32

Very High >32 >35 >32

STABILIZATION TECHNIQUES
• There are two primary methods of soil
stabilization used .
I. Chemical or additive Stabilization
II. Mechanical
• Chemical Stabilization : One method of improving the
engineering properties of soil is by adding chemicals
or other materials to improve the existing soil. This
technique is generally cost effective.
• Additives : Additive reacts with or changes the
chemical properties of the soil, thereby upgrading
its engineering properties
• Use of optimum content of additive is very
important for desired results.
CHEMICAL STABILIZATION
• in order to properly implement this technique,
an engineer must have:
• A clear idea of the desired result.
• An understanding of the type of soil and their
characteristics on site.
• An understanding of the use of the additive.
• An understanding of and means of mixing the
additive.
• An understanding of how the resulting
engineered soil will perform.
ADDITIVES
• There are different types of additives
available, not all additives work for all type of
soils. Generally an additive used can
• Act as a binder.
• Alter the effect of moisture.
• Increase the soil density.
• Neutralize the harmful effect of substance in
the soil.
FLY ASH STABLIZATION :
• A fly ash stabilization technique involves the
addition of fly ash in expansive clay making it
stabilized and workable.
• Fly ash is a byproduct of coal fired electric
power generation facilities.
• Fly Ash has little cementatious properties
compared to lime and cement.
• In the presence of a small amount of activator,
it can react chemically to form cementitious
compound that contributes to improved
strength of soft soil.
FLY ASH STABLIZATION
• There are two classes of fly ash.
1. Class C
2. Class F
CLASS C:
Class C fly ashes are produced from
burning subbituminous coal it has high
cementing properties because of high content of
free CaO. Class C from lignite has the highest
CaO (above 30%) resulting in self-cementing
characteristics.
FLY ASH STABLIZATION
• Class F fly ashes are produced by burning
anthracite and bituminous coal; it has low
self-cementing properties due to limited effect
of the addition of the lime on plasticity
properties of London clay amount of free CaO
available for flocculation of clay minerals and
thus require addition of activators such as
lime or cement.
• The reduction of swell potential achieved in
fly ashes treated soil relates to mechanical
bonding rather than ionic exchange with clay
minerals.
STABILIZATION OF EXPANSIVE SOILS USING
FLYASH (Fly Ash India 2005, New Delhi )
Fly ash vs free swell index

CBR vs LIME+ FLY ASH

UNCONFINED COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH VS LIME+ FLY ASH
LIME STABILIZATION :

• Calcium hydroxide is most widely used for stabilization of swelling

clays as lime has very good absorbing power.
• Quicklime when mixed with wet soils, immediately takes up to 32%
of its own weight of water from the surrounding soil to form
hydrated lime; the generated heat accompanied by this reaction
will further cause loss of water due to evaporation which in turn
results into increased plastic limit of soil i.e. drying out and
absorption.
• Most soils contains silica and alumina in sufficient quantity,
addition of quick lime (CaO) or hydrated lime (Ca(OH)2), in
presence of water, generates a chemical reaction and
cementatious products are formed.
• Normally 2 to 8% of lime may be required for coarse grained
soils and 5 to 10% for plastic soils.
Lime Stabilization Methods
• Basically there are three recognized lime stabilization
methods.
1. In-Place Mixing
2. Plant Mixing
3. Pressure Injection

In-Place Mixing :
Similar to cement and bitumen
stabilization, adequate pulverization and mixing are
essential to achieve satisfactory results in lime stabilization.
Many soils may only require one-pass mixing, heavier
plastic soils require multiple pass mixing.
Lime Stabilization Methods
• Plant Mixing: The plant-
mix operation usually involves bringing the soil to a central
plant where lime, soil and water are uniformly mixed and then
transported to the construction site for further manipulation.
• Pressure Injection:
One method of applying hydrated lime is by pressure
injection. Basically pressure injections of lime slurry are
exerted to depths of 7 to 10 ft (2-3m) for control of swelling
and unstable soils.
• ADVANTAGES OF SLURRIED LIME:
1. Allows for dust free application in highly populated and environmentally
challenged area.
2. Achieves better distribution
3. Contributes to faster, more complete soil reactions
4. During the summer, less mix water is required because the slurry
application pre-wets the soil and minimizes drying.
CEMENT STABILIZATION :
• Cement stabilization involves the combination of cement and
expansive clay resulting in loss of excess moisture and
therefore making it stabilized.
• The reaction of soil with cement do not depend on the soil
mineral, it depends on the presence of water.
• Expansive soil is major cause of foundation failure due to less
strength and swelling potential. Cement reduces the plasticity
and increases the strength of the soil.
• Commonly used for stabilization of
• Road bases and sub-bases
• Embankment slopes
• Earth Dam cores
• Building foundations
• Trenches
• Frost protection
Moisture Content Vs No of Blows Sample No 1
53.5
depth= 1.5m
53

52.5
Moisture Content (%)

52

51.5

51

50.5

50 DOCTORS RESIDENCE D.H.Q

49.5
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40
HOSPITAL SIALKOT
No of Blows

Result: - liquid limit is 51.6

Moisture content Vs No of blows
54.5
Sample No 2
54 Depth= 2.5m
53.5
moisture content %

53

52.5

52

51.5

51

50.5
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40
no of blows Result: - liquid limit is 52.6
FREE SWELL TEST DOCTORS RESIDENCE D.H.Q HOSPITAL SIALKOT

Initial Dial final Dial

Dept Height of Swell
sample Gauge Gauge % age swell
h Sample Pressure
Reading Reading
(df-
do df ho
# m do)/ho*100 kg./m2
mm mm mm %
1 1.5 0 0.95 19.05 4.99 0.85
2 2.5 0 0.77 19.05 4.042 0.79

BEHAVIOUR OF EXPANSIVE SOIL BY THE ADDITION OF

CEMENT IN DIFFERENT PERCENTAGES.
%age Reduction in %age Reduction in
%age cement %age Swell Swell Pressure
Swell Swell Pressure

% % kg/m2 % %

0 4.99 0.85 0 0

2 4.35 0.76 12.82 10.58

4 3.99 0.68 20.04 20

8 3.12 0.53 37.47 37.64

12 2.54 0.42 49.09 50.58

BEHAVIOUR OF EXPANSIVE SOIL BY THE ADDITION OF SAND IN
DIFFERENT PERCENTAGES.
SAMPLE NO 1

% age Reduction % age Reduction

Sand % age % Swell Swell Pressure
in %age Swell in Swell pressure

% % Kg/m2 % %
0 4.99 0.85 0 0
20 3.22 0.58 35.47 31.76
40 2.7 0.45 45.89 47.05
60 1.1 0.2 77.95 76.47
80 0.5 0.012 89.97 98.58

Sample No 2

% age Reduction in % age Reduction in

Sand % age % Swell Swell Pressure
%age Swell Swell pressure

% % Kg/m2 % %
0 4.04 0.79 0 0
20 2.7 0.5 33.16 36.7
40 1.89 0.36 53.21 54.43
60 0.88 0.2 78.21 74.68
80 0.24 0.012 94.05 98.48
CALCIUM CHLORIDE
• Calcium chloride (Cacl2) is a chemical additive
which absorb water from the air, that’s why cacl2 is
proven stabilizing additive for expansive clays.
• The results of cacl2 and lime treated soil were
compared applying 1% cacl2 solution to the
expansive soil.
S NO LIME CACL2
PLASTICTY INDEX 7–15% 40–60%
SWELL PRESSURE 20–25% 50–65%

Modification of clay properties with calcium chloride is

several times greater than that for the conventionally used
lime.
BITUMEN
• Bitumen is a mechanical additive that occurs naturally or as a
by-product of petroleum distillation.

• Asphalt cement, cutback asphalt, tar, and asphalt emulsions

are all used to achieve bituminous soil stabilization.

• Bituminous stabilization works on the simple phenomena of

reducing the amount of moisture getting in contact with the
swelling clay.

• In cohesive clays asphalt protects the soil by plugging its void

and water proofing it. It helps the cohesive clays to maintain
low moisture content and to increase bearing capacity.
TYPES OF BITUMEN
• FOUR TYPES OF BITUMEN
1. Soil Bitumen
2. Sand Bitumen
3. Water – proofed Clay Concrete
4. Oiled Bitumen
• Soil Bitumen :
The soil bitumen is used to stabilize clay soil. The
stabilized soil becomes water- proof. The quantity of bitumen
required varies from 4 to 7 % of dry weight.
• Sand Bitumen
Used for cohesion less soil system.
• Water – proofed Clay Concrete
It is water proofed soil made by adding 1 to 3 % of
bitumen.
TYPES OF BITUMEN
• Oiled Bitumen :
It is a bitumen treated silty clay material. The
material is made waterproof by spraying bitumen in two or three
applications.
• The bitumen penetrates only a short depth into the soil.
• The amount of bitumen required is about 5 liters per square
meter of the soil surface.
• the most satisfactory results are obtained using the most
viscous liquid asphalt that can be readily mixed into the soil.
• The bitumen is applied directly on the expansive clays,
and the mixing and compaction operations are conducted
immediately thereafter.
SODIUM HYDROXIDE
STABILIZATION
• Sodium hydroxide in a solution is a white, odor less and non-
volatile solution.
• It reacts violently with water and numerous commonly
encountered materials.
• Sodium hydroxide reacts very effectively with soil rich in
aluminum which is usually the case with expansive clay.
• Tests have shown that maximum strength is achieved with 16
% NaOH.
• it has been observed that there exist a very strong
relationship between compressive strength and NaOH
content. The higher the Noah content, the higher the strength
of stabilized soil.
FOAMED BITUMEN STABILIZATION
• Foamed bitumen (also known as foamed asphalt, foam
bitumen or expanded asphalt) is a mixture of air, water and
bitumen.
• This is one of the newer practices used in stabilizing highly
plastic soil in pavement design.
• When injected with a small quantity of cold water, the hot
bitumen expands explosively to about fifteen times its original
volume and forms a fine mist or foam.
• This expanded bitumen mist is incorporated into the mixing
drum where the bitumen droplets are attracted to and coat
the finer particles of the swelling clay which are present in
subgrade, thus forming a mastic that effectively binds the
mixture together.
FOAMED BITUMEN STABILIZATION
• Experiments have shown that adding 2% hydrated lime as
supplementary additive the strength of foamed bitumen is
peaked.

• This peaking can be explained by the fact that when lime

reacts with the clay particle it flocculates and increases the
particle size which in turn requires more bitumen to lubricate
the sample in order to achieve compaction.

• Laboratory testing has shown that a greater strength is

achieved when the lime and bitumen are incorporated
simultaneously.
TERRAZYME AS STABILIZING AGENT
• Terrazyme is a natural, non-toxic, non-corrosive and non-
inflammable liquid, produced by formulating vegetable
extracts.
• Terrazyme is specially formulated to modify the engineering
properties of soil.
• Terrazyme when added to water and mixed with soil alters the
engineering properties depending upon the type of the soil
and dosage of enzyme.
• These enzymes are liquid additives, which act on the soil to
reduce the voids between soil particles and minimize
absorbed water in the soil for maximum compaction.
• The enzymes react with the organic matter (humid matter) in
the soil to form cementitious material.
• The application of Terrazyme enhances resistance and
increases load bearing capacity of soils.
TERRAZYME AS STABILIZING AGENT
• Once the enzyme reacts with the soil, the change is
permanent and the product is bio-degradable.
• The optimum dosage of Terrazyme for improvement of
expansive soil is 1ml/per 5kg of soil.
STABILIZATION OF EXPANSIVE SOIL
WITH RICE HUSK ASH
• Rice milling generates a by-product known as husk.
• During milling of paddy about 78% of weight is received as
rice, broken rice and bran. Rest 22% of the weight of paddy is
received as husk.
• This husk contains about 75% organic volatile matter and the
remaining 25% of the weight of this husk is converted into ash
during the firing process, known as Rice Husk Ash (RHA).
• Laboratory experiments showed that the liquid limit of the
expansive soil has been decreased by 22% with the addition
of 20% RHA +5% Lime.
• The Free Swell Index of the expansive soil has been reduced
by 88% with the addition of 20% RHA +5%Lime.
• Due to the cementitious action between clay, rice husk ash
and lime the CBR values of the expansive soil were increased.
PREWETTING
• Theoretically, expansive soils can be wetted and caused to
expand prior to construction.
• The most commonly applied method for accelerating swelling
by this technique is ponding.
• Basically ponding water reduces the future swell initial
provided a moisture barrier is installed.
• the best time to apply ponding is during the dry season when
the natural cracks and fissures are open due to desiccation.
• It is quite possible that the water penetration could be
assisted in the problem cuts by drilling of a large number of
small holes into the swelling materials.
• The clear disadvantages of working on moist clays include an
inability to support construction equipment and machinery
and the process can be time consuming.
STABILIZATION OF EXPANSIVE SOILS USING
RECYCLED EPS BEADS
• Expanded polystyrene (EPS) is a cellular polymeric material
commonly used as a packaging medium for a variety of
consumer appliances and electronic equipment.
• It is a lightweight material with a very low density (0.10 -0.20
kN/m3).
• Due to its convenience and low cost, EPS usage is increasing in
the consumer market.
STABILIZATION OF EXPANSIVE SOILS
USING RECYCLED EPS BEADS
• One of the main problems encountered in
constructing foundations on clays is volume
change independent of loading caused by
swelling of the soil.
• When the swelling is obstructed, large swelling
pressures arise and that can cause damage to
structures.
• Recycled expanded polystyrene (EPS) beads
when mixed with replaced soil accommodates
soil expansion and hence reduces swelling
pressures on structures foundation.
Development of soil – EPS mixes for geotechnical application (Hema Kumar
Illuri)
STABILIZATION BY GEO – TEXTILES
• Geo-textiles are fabrics made of synthetic
materials, such as polyethylene, polyester,
nylon, polyvinyl chloride and so on.
• They are manufactured in varieties of ways in
the woven, non-woven or grid-form.
• Geo-textiles are designed to trap soils and
help control erosion, moisture conditions and
soil permeability.
• A geo-textile has high tensile strength. When
properly embedded in the soil, it contributes
to its stability.
STABILIZATION BY GEO – TEXTILES
• One approach which can be effective in
mitigation of swelling and shrinkage of expansive
soil involves application of measures to protect
the soil mass from excessive wetting or drying
(moisture control).
• One system which is being used to treat
expansive soil is horizontal and vertical moisture
barriers.
• The purpose of the horizontal barriers is to
prevent excessive intake of surface moisture,
while vertical barriers used around the perimeter
of the structure to cut off the source of water
that may enter the soils.
STABILIZATION BY GEO – TEXTILES
STABILIZATION BY GEO – TEXTILES
• Another approach is surcharge load which applied on an
expansive clay to control soil movement. With swelling
pressure of the expansive soil determined, the surcharge load
can be calculated.
Strength and mechanical behaviour of short
polypropylene fiber reinforced and cement
stabilized clayey soil (Chaosheng tang, Wei
gao)
Strength and mechanical behaviour of short polypropylene
fiber reinforced and cement stabilized clayey soil (Chaosheng
tang, Wei gao)
Strength and mechanical behavior of short polypropylene fiber
reinforced and cement stabilized clayey soiL (Chaosheng tang, Wei
gao)
REFERENCES
• Strength and mechanical behaviour of short polypropylene fiber reinforced and cement
stabilized clayey soil (Chao sheng tang, Wei gao)
• DOCTORS RESIDENCE D.H.Q HOSPITAL SIALKOT (TESTS DATA)
• STABILIZATION OF EXPANSIVE SOILS USING FLY ASH Fly Ash India 2005, New Delhi
(S. Bhuvaneshwari R. G. Robinson S. R. Gandhi)
• Ali F, Adnan A, Choy CK (1992) Use of rice husk ash to enhance lime treatment of soil Can
Geotech J29:843–852
• Chen, F. H. (1975). Foundations on expansive soils, Elsevier Science, Amsterdam.
• Development of soil – EPS mixes for geotechnical application (Hema Kumar Illuri)