MPROVING THE GEOTECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF EXPANSIVE SOIL USING GLASS POWDER (IN THE CASE OF MORKA – WACHA ROAD SEGMENT)

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.