Effect of adding nano-calcined clay and nano-lime on the geotechnical properties of expansive clayey soil

Abstract

The objective of this paper is to investigate the effect of nano-calcined clay (NCC) and nano-lime (NL) on some engineering properties of the expansive clayey soil. Three soil samples quarried from three different sites in the south of Syria have been investigated. They were thermally treated up to three different levels (450, 650 and 850 C) for 3 hours. Then, they were ground to have a particle size of less than 100 nano-meter. Three replacement levels of NCC were used, i.e. 0%, 1% and 2%. XRD technique has been employed to detect the phases occurring in the clayey samples before and after the thermal treatment. Pozzolanic activity of the calcined clayey soil has been studied using the modified Chapelle test. Atterberg limits, compaction, free swell, swelling pressure, linear shrinkage, shear strength and CBR have particularly been investigated. Test results revealed the positive effect of NCC. Plasticity index (PI) was reduced by more than 50% when 2% NCC was added to the natural soil. In addition, 0.6% NL was added to further investigate the combined effect of NL and NCC on the properties of the clayey soil. All investigated properties were significantly improved when NCC and NL were added together, i.e. swelling pressure and linear shrinkage values were reduced to less than 15% when compared with those of the natural soil.