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Experimental and finite-element study for improvement of the swelling characteristics of expansive soil in Egypt using coarse soil

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Abstract

Expansive soils exhibit significant volumetric changes as the water content varies. During the season of rainfall, they expand when they absorb water, and during the dry season, they shrink when it evaporates. Due to Egypt’s lack of experience in characterising and managing problematic shrink-swell soils, several problems may be observed in some of the structures constructed as part of development projects. Consequently, it is important to measure swelling properties, such as the swelling potential, swelling pressure, swell limit, shrink limit and Shrink-Swell index. In order to enhance the properties of expansive soil, geotechnical researchers have suggested a number of solutions. The present study discusses the treating of expansive soils collected from a variety of locations in Egypt. Expansive soil samples were collected from five sites such as Fayoum, the 6th of October, Qena, El-max Elkebly (El-Wadi El-Gedid) and BeniSuif. The treatment strategy is based on mixing the expanding soil with coarse-grained soil of a specific gradation. Each soil sample set is mixed with coarse-grained soil at percentages of 0%, 20%, 40%, 60% and 80% by weight to generate five different mixtures. The results indicated that the swelling potential, swelling pressure, swell limit and shrink-swell limit of the five tested soils decreased as the percentage of coarse sand in the swelling soil increased from 0 to 80%. In addition, five preliminary correlations are established between the coarse-grained fraction of expansive soil and the percentage reduction in swelling potential, swelling pressure, swell limit, shrink limit, shrink–swell limit of expansive soil. Additionally, the experimental models were verified and simulated using the 2-D finite element software PLAXIS (2D), as well as to assess the validity of the selected computational techniques. The results demonstrated that PLAXIS (2D) is an effective tool for improving expansive soil properties.

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Abbreviations

L.L.:

Liquid limit

P.L.:

Plastic limit

P.I.:

Plasticity index

γdry :

Dry unit weight

Gs :

Specific gravity

F.S.:

Free swell

SP:

Swelling potential

Psw :

Swelling pressure

Isw :

Swell limit

Ish :

Shrink limit

Iss :

Shrink –swell index

CH:

Clay with high plasticity

R-SP:

Reduction in swelling potential

R-Psw :

Reduction in swelling pressure

R-Isw :

Reduction in swell limit

R-Ish :

Reduction in shrink limit

R-Iss :

Reduction in shrink-swell limit

CF:

Percentage of coarse sand

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Acknowledgements

First and foremost, the authors would like to acknowledge ALLAH, the most merciful and compassionate, for giving them the strength to complete this work. Geotechnical Engineering Laboratory, Civil Engineering Department of Higher Institute and Technology in Minia, Computer laboratory of Civil Engineering Department of Higher Institute and Technology in Minia. All professors of soil mechanics of Civil Engineering Department, Minia university for ultimate help, for offering useful suggestions.

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  1. Civil Engineering Department, Higher Institute of Engineering and Technology, New Minya, Egypt

    Beshoy Maher Hakeem

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Hakeem, B.M. Experimental and finite-element study for improvement of the swelling characteristics of expansive soil in Egypt using coarse soil. Arab J Geosci 16, 524 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-023-11595-8

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