Improvement of the Geotechnical Properties of Expansive Soils Using Fly Ash

Abstract

This test program studies the impact of using fly ash on prepared soil by adding different percentages of fly ash (5%, 10% and 15%) by dry soil weight. The expansive soil was prepared in the laboratory by mixing natural soil (Al-Nahrawan clayey soil) with different percentages of bentonite (30%, 50% and 70%). The experimental study focuses on the effects of the fly ash content on the free swell index, swell potential, swelling pressure, plasticity and compaction characteristics of expansive soil. The influence of these admixtures was compared with those of untreated soils. The results show that the plasticity index, the optimum moisture content, swelling percent and swell pressure increase with an increase in the bentonite percentage, and the maximum dry density and specific gravity decrease with increases in the bentonite percentage. The plasticity index, specific gravity, swelling and swelling pressure decrease with increases in the fly ash percentage. The optimum percentage of fly ash was 5%, where the swell and swell pressure decreased by a large amount. The results showed that the addition of fly ash to expansive soils has a positive effect on the soil's geotechnical properties.