Assessment of swelling pressure of stabilized Bentonite

In this study, a comprehensive laboratory experimental programme was conducted on expansive soil with a high swelling potential to study the influence of different additive materials on swelling pressure and index properties. Lime, sand, multifilament fiber and fibrillated fiber were used for stabilization of expansive soil. Lime, sand and fibers were respectively added to the expansive soil at 0-7%, 0-80%, 0-0.5%. On each mixture that was prepared by the proportions mentioned above, Atterberg limits, compaction, and swelling pressure tests were conducted. From the result of these experiments, the swelling pressure-time relation could be replaced by a rectangular hyperbola established to facilitate the prediction of ultimate percent swelling with a few initial data points. The best type of additive and its optimum ratio for engineering purposes could be estimated rapidly by this approach.