Determination of the swelling potential of Gölbaşi (Ankara) region clays and stabilization with lim

The increase in volume due to the increase in water content of partially saturated or unsaturated clays is called ?swelling? and clays that possess this behaviour is named as ?swelling clays?. Swelling clays cause considerable damage on various engineering structures. Thus, to prevent future economic losses, it is important to locate the swelling clays and take the necessary measures. In this study, it is aimed to estimate the swelling potential of Gölbaşı (Ankara) region clays, which are thought to have swelling clay properties. The results indicate the local presence of swelling clays. The samples taken from the study area, which can be classified as high-plasticity clays ?CH?, were found to have percentage of swelling between % 3,4 and % 9,2 with an average of % 6,7 and swelling pressures between 65 kPa and 243 kPa with an average of 128 kPa. The samples, which can be classified as low-plasticity clays ?CL?, were found to have percentage of swelling % 1,6 and % 0,5 and swelling pressures 11 kPa and 6 kPa. For all CH clays which have high swelling potential and which are of risk to light structures, the changes in swelling pressure and percentage were investigated after the addition of hydrated lime at different percentages by weight (1%, 3%, 5%, 7%,% 9). It was determined that, the swelling pressure and percentage decreased significantly when the lime percentage is greater than %5.