Use of marble dust waste material for stabilization of compacted clayey soils

Clay soils present problems to geotechnical engineers due to its complex nature. Excessive compression, dispersive behavior, collapsing behavior, low shear strength, high swell potential and frost susceptibility are some of the undesirable properties of soils in geotechnical engineering. Soil properties such as those mentioned would cause severe distress to structures build on them. In this regard, it is necessary to reinforce and or stabilize the soil. In this experimental work, clayey soil was stabilized by using marble dust investigated the effect of marble dust on the geotechnical properties of clayey soil. The natural and modified clayey soil samples were subjected to the unconfined compression, the shear box, the odometer and the falling-head permeability tests after compaction at optimum moisture content. The results of experimental research indicated that marble dust enhanced both the unconfined compression strength and strength parameters. Consequently, it is concluded that the silica fume-fiber mixture materials can be successfully used for the modifications of clayey soils in the geotechnical applications.