Stabilization of high plasticity soils with waste marble powder and glass fiber additive

High plasticity soils pose significant engineering challenges due to their low bearing capacity and high sensitivity to changes in moisture content. In order to stabilize such soils, various physical and chemical methods have been widely applied. Nowadays, utilization of wastes for stabilization of soils has become very popular in terms of environmental sustainability and cost efficiency. In this study, the stabilization of high plasticity soils with waste marble dust and glass fiber additives was investigated. Marble dust was mixed into the soil at 10%, 15%, 20%, 20%, 25% and 30% of the dry weight. In the compaction experiment, the optimum mixing ratio for marble dust was found to be 25%. Glass fibers were added to the soil at 0.5%, 1%, 1.5% and 2% and free compression tests were performed to determine the optimum ratio. The optimum mixing ratio for glass fibers was determined as 1.5%. 100% natural soil, 25% marble dust only, 1.5% glass fibers only and 25% marble dust and 1.5% glass fibers were subjected to free compression tests and CBR tests. Freeze-thaw and curing effects were evaluated and the highest strength and bearing capacity ratios were obtained in mixtures with 25% marble powder and 1.5% glass fiber. Marble powder and glass fiber additives were found to increase the strength, reduce the swelling percentage, reduce the negative effects of freeze-thaw cycles and can be used in soil stabilization by improving the engineering properties of the soil.