Effect of polymers on swelling potential of expansive soils

doi:10.1680/grim.2009.162.3.111

Effect of polymers on swelling potential of expansive soils

Authors: M. Mirzababaei ¹ ; S. Yasrobi ¹ ; A. Al-Rawas ²
Source: Proceedings of the ICE - Ground Improvement, Volume 162, Issue 3, pages 111 –119 , ISSN: 1755-0750, E-ISSN: 1755-0769

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Ground Improvement provides a fast-track vehicle for the dissemination of news in technological developments, feasibility studies and innovative engineering applications for all aspects of ground improvement, ground reinforcement and grouting.

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In this subject: Environment, Construction Materials, Sitework, Ground Engineering
By this author: M. Mirzababaei , S. Yasrobi , A. Al-Rawas

This paper introduces new soil stabilisers for reducing the swelling potential of expansive soils. In this study three different polymers (furan, poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and poly(vinyl acetate) (PVA)) were utilised as soil stabilisers. For evaluating the effect of these polymers on swelling potential and microfabric of expansive soils, three soil samples of high plasticity index were selected. First the engineering, chemical and mineralogical characteristics of the untreated soils were determined, and three different pairs of dry density and water content (dry of optimum, optimum and wet of optimum) were chosen, from standard Proctor compaction curve. Treated soil specimens were prepared at 3%, 5% and 10% of furan content and 1%, 3% and 5% of polymethyl methacrylate and polyvinyl acetate content. The addition of polymethyl methacrylate and polyvinyl acetate can also diminish the swelling potential of soil specimens, but to a lesser degree. The addition of additives produced aggregations and clay-granular matrices within the fabric, which reduced the swelling potential of the soil samples.

Keywords: soils; resins and plastics; geotechnical engineering
Document Type: Research Article
DOI: 10.1680/grim.2009.162.3.111
Affiliations: 1: Department of Civil Engineering, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran; 2: Department of Civil and Architectural Engineering, Sultan Qaboos University, Sultanate of Oman

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Effect of polymers on swelling potential of expansive soils