Abstract:
Expansive soil expands and loses strength when whetted and shrinks when dried, and this
makes a significant volume change. Construction on the expansive soil has become a
challenge for various engineering projects around the world. As a result, it is essential to
improve the engineering properties of the soil through the application of stabilizing
techniques prior to construction. The purpose of this study is to study the change of
nontechnical properties of expansive soil by stabilizing with a glass powder. The
experimental tests were carried out for the native soil and soil glass powder mixture. The
preliminary investigation of the soil tests was natural moisture determination, grain size
distribution, specific gravity, Free swell, Atterberg Limit, Moisture density Relationship,
CBR and CBR swelling. The index properties involved to classify the soil samples were
taken from Morka – Wacha road segment. The obtained ten test pits belong to the A-7-5
class of soil in the AASHTO classification system. This type of soil is generally unsuitable
for engineering purposes. The selected soil samples were treated with glass powder in
stepped concentrations of 4%, 8%, 12%, and 16% by the dry weight of the soil. Their
properties were evaluated using Atterberg limits, Free swell, the Modified Proctor test, and
the CBR and CBR swell tests. The selected soil sample was also cured for seven days before
being tested for the Atterberg limit, Modified proctor, CBR, and CBR swell. Analysis of the
results shows an improvement in the geotechnical properties of glass powder stabilized
soil. The glass powder reduces plasticity index and swelling. However, CBR increase with
higher glass powder content. Specifically, the COM decrease and The MDD shows an
increment until 12% concentration. Therefore this study shows that the glass powder can
be used to improve the nontechnical characteristics of expansive soils.
