Investigation of physical and strength properties of pyrophyllite added fine-grained soils exposed to high temperatures

Today, with the increasing population, the need for construction on soils that do not have suitable engineering properties has led to the development of various soil stabilization methods. The negative environmental impacts, logistical and cost problems of the additives traditionally used as stabilization methods have led to the need to search for more sustainable, easily available, and inexpensive alternative additives. Increasing energy demand along with population growth has led to the proliferation of facilities such as thermal and nuclear power plants, where high temperatures can significantly affect soil properties, thus posing a threat to human and environmental health in an adverse situation. In addition, the increasing number of forest fires makes studying the effect of high temperatures on the behavior and engineering properties of soils an important research topic. In this study, the engineering properties of low plasticity clay (CL) soil were investigated under varying temperatures, additive content, and curing time conditions using Pyrophyllite, a mineral rarely used in geotechnical engineering. The soil samples were stabilized with 0%, 10%, 20%, 20%, and 30% of their dry weight of Pyrophyllite admixture with curing times of 7 and 21 days and exposed to temperatures of 25°C, 100°C, 200°C, and 500°C. Standard Proctor Compaction Tests, Unconsolidated Undrained Triaxial Compressive Tests, and Unconfined Compressive Strength Tests were performed to evaluate the physical and strength properties of the soils. The aim was to assess the performance of Pyrophyllite stabilized soils under thermal changes and to contribute to the literature on soil stabilization methods and the effect of temperature on the engineering properties of soils.