IMPROVEMENT OF COMPRESSIBILITY CHARACTERISTICS OF MODEL ORGANIC SOILS

Abstract

The characteristics of organic soil are low permeability, low shear strength and high compressibility, therefore organic soil has to be improved before any engineering works can commence. In this study dry kaolinite is used as a clay minerals and fresh reed as an organic material for different percentages (0%, 2%, 5%, 8%, 12% and 20%) by dry weight. Lime is used as a treatment material of different percentages (0%, 3%, 6%and 9%) by dry weight. The experimental work included a series of compaction and compressibility tests conducted on 48 samples. The effect of addition of lime on compressibility characteristics of non-decomposed and decomposed model organic soil was studied. The results showed that the compressibility characteristics [compression index, rebound index, coefficient of consolidation and coefficient of secondary compression] are increased with increased organic content for decomposed and non-decomposed samples. The use of lime has improved the compressibility characteristics of organic soil.