Scholarly record

GYPSUM: AS AN ADDITIVE FOR STABILIZATION OF SWELLING CLAYS

I. Yilmaz, B. Civelekoglu

Abstract

Low rise buildings are particularly vulnerable to ground movements sourced from swelling and shrinking of the expansive clays. Geotechnical engineers have long recognized that Swelling of expansive clays caused by moisture variation may result in considerable damage to the overlying structures, and engineers should take them into the consideration. The literature contains a vast number of stabilizing techniques such as lime, cement, fly-ash for treatment of expansive clays. However the use of gypsum as a stabilizing agent is currently not clear. This paper deals with the performance of the gypsum as an additive for treatment of the expansive clays by means of swell potential and strength. Optimum water content for the best compaction of the bentonite was first determined by Standard compaction tests. Different quantities of gypsum such as; 2.5\%, 5\%, 7.5\%, 10\% were added to bentonite and compacted in optimum water content obtained. Atterberg limits, free swell and unconfined compressive strength tests were performed on treated and untreated samples, after a curing period of 7 days. Obtained changes in the plasticity, swell percent and strength parameters of treated and untreated samples indicated that the gypsum can be used as a stabilizing agent for expansive clays, effectively.

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