Stabilization of clay soils using waste materials

Nowadays, environmental pollution is one of the major problems in the world. Thermal power plants are used in many countries to meet the energy needs of growing cities. The huge quantity of Fly Ash produced while this energy is generated. On the other hand solid waste from the urban transformation project causes a lot of environmental pollution, too. These material's large volumes is a problem due to their storage. The use of such waste materials provides both environmental protection and cost savings. Therefore, in recent years, they have been exploring new solutions for the use of such waste materials. In this study, the effect of 2% by weight lime and/or different percentages of Orhaneli fly ash added to a clay soil taken from Bursa Uludağ University campus has been investigated. By using the granulometry analysis and Atterberg Limits experiments, the soil classification has been made. The optimum water content and maximum dry density of the mixtures have been determined by normal compaction test. In order to determine the strength of the mixtures, cylinderical specimens have been prepared with optimum water content. Finally, after 3, 7 and 28 days curing time, the unconfined compression tests have been carried out. As a result of the experiments, it was found that the different mixtures prepared increased the strength of the high plasticity clay in different percentages. In addition, curing time has possitive effect of the strenth of the soil samples.