Effect of Pore Water Quality on the Mechanical Behavior of an Expansive Soil during Wetting and Drying Cycles

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 M.Sc. Student, Irrigation and Reclamation Eng. Dept., University of Tehran

2 Associate Prof., Irrigation and Reclamation Eng. Dept., University of Tehran

3 Instructor, Irrigation and Reclamation Eng. Dept., University of Tehran

Abstract

Expansive soils are considered a worldwide problem as they cause extensive damage to
civil engineering structures. An important characteristic of expansive soils is their
susceptibility to volume change due to the phenomenon of wetting and drying. This paper
presets the effect of pore water quality on the swelling and shrinkage behavior of an
expansive soil during wetting and drying cycles. Thirty three soil samples were prepared
through static compaction with various pore water qualities consisting of distilled water,
sodium chloride (50g/lit) and calcium chloride (250gr/lit). Wetting and drying cycles
were conducted on samples in a modified odometer apparatus under the surcharge
pressure of 10 kPa using distilled water as the reservoir fluid during the process of
wetting. Results indicated that samples prepared with calcium chloride show more
swelling potential as compared with distilled water and sodium chloride. Furthermore,
swelling and shrinkage potential, specific volume and dry unit weight for soil samples
reach equilibrium after 5 cycles for distilled water and sodium chloride and while 3
cycles for calcium chloride.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

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