ABSTRACT
Expansive clays are problematic deposits for infrastructure projects because they can cause socio-economic and environmental damage, since they are susceptible to change in volume due to seasonal variation in humidity and temperature. The stabilization of expansive clay is of interest to any construction. The stabilization techniques may be mechanical or chemical. Hydrated lime is a stabilizing agent. Laboratory tests were conducted in order to analyze the effect of the interaction of hydrated lime with expansive soils of Ipojuca County / PE, when hydrated lime was added to it in proportions of 1% to 11% by dry weight. The physical, chemical and mineralogical characterizations were performed as well as the free swell and the expansion stress of natural soil and soil-lime mixture. The results indicate that the soil has high expansiveness and may cause damage to buildings leading to demolition, especially the smaller ones. The addition of hydrated lime to the soil caused an original aggregation or flocculation of particles and the decrease in plasticity index. The percentage of 11% of hydrated lime added to the expansive soil reduced the free swell and expansion stress to null values. This is attributed to the cementing capacity of the soil treated with lime which reduces the tendency of water absorption by the calcium saturated clay.
Keywords:
Expansive soil; research methods; soil-lime
