This paper presents a state-of-the art review on the behavior of problematic soils in arid and semi-arid regions in Algeria, where significant damages frequently appear affecting the road infrastructures, roadway systems and various networks and other small civil and industrial constructions. It deals with characterization and treatment experimental studies on some Algerian expansive natural soils, including those conducted on M’sila expansive clays

Khemissa, Mohamed

Mahamedi, Abdelkrim

Mekki, Lakhdar

English

Biskra University Journals

J. Appl. Eng. Sci. Technol. (2015) 1(2): 37-41 Corresponding author. Tel.: +213 662 07 73 82; fax: +213 35 36 40 72E-mail address: khemissa@univ-msila.dzfstThis work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0. License (CC BY 3.0) http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/JOURNAL OF APPLIED ENGINEERING SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY | JAEST - ISSN 2352-9873 (PRINT) |SECTION C: GEOTECHNICAL AND CIVIL ENGINEERINGAvailable online at http://revues.univ-biskra.dz/index.php/jaestProblematic soil mechanics in the Algerian arid and semi-arid regions: Case of M’silaexpansive claysMohamed Khemissa, Abdelkrim Mahamedi, Lakhdar MekkiGeomaterials Development Laboratory, Civil Engineering Department, Faculty of Technology, Mohamed Boudiaf University, M’sila 28000, AlgeriaReceived 03 November 2014Received in revised form 17 February 2015Accepted 22 February 2015Published online: 28 February 2015Abstract: This paper presents a state-of-the art review on the behavior of problematic soilsin arid and semi-arid regions in Algeria, where significant damages frequently appearaffecting the road infrastructures, roadway systems and various networks and other smallcivil and industrial constructions. It deals with characterization and treatment experimentalstudies on some Algerian expansive natural soils, including those conducted on M’silaexpansive clays.KeywordsArid and semi-arid regionsProblematic soilExpansive clayCompactionTreatment with hydraulic bindersBearing© 2015 The authors. Published by the Faculty of Sciences & Technology, University of Biskra. This is anopen access article under the CC BY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/)1. IntroductionProblematic soils are a worldwide problem and occur in many parts of the world but particularly in arid and semi-arid regions. Thearid and semi-arid regions cover inter alia a good part of Algeria. These regions are delimited by the Tellian Atlas in North and theSaharian Atlas in South and extend from East to West until the bordering Maghreb’s countries. Their meteorology is characterizedby weak precipitations and important temperature variations between winter and summer (cold and wet winters von hot and drysummers). Their geology comprises clayey formations characterized by a high variation of volume when the conditions of theirequilibrium are modified (natural climatic phenomena due to a prolonged dryness, intense human activity by modification of theground water level because of excessive pumping, configuration of constructions in their environment). These clayey formationswere the subject of some characterization studies, which confirmed their problematic character. The case of expansive, collapsibleand salted soils can be in particular cited. Damages appeared in the road infrastructures, roadway systems and various networksand in other small civil and industrial constructions compromise the use of problematic soils in their natural state. For example, atdry state, the expansive soils are very difficult to compact because their consistency varies from hard to very hard. At wet state,they are sticking, therefore uncompactable. However, their employment can be possibly decided based on specific treatment withhydraulic binders (LCPC-SETRA 2000a).Short-term treatment of fine-grained soils and their long-term stabilization is a current technique in road construction. Thisprocess is mainly used to make compactable the soft soils by reduction of their plasticity and, consequently, to improve theirbearing capacity. Limes mainly calcic (quicklime, extinct lime, lime slurry), road cements and special binders are the most usedtreatment products. Action of these products on the hydrous state of fine-grained soils and on their clayey fraction is highlightedin practice. Treatment studies carried out on some expansive soils confirm, they also, the cement and lime action on theirplasticity and swelling characteristics. Other treatment products (dune sand, salt, fly ash, bitumen, rice husk ash, stone dust, ortheir combinations) were used to stabilize the problematic soils. Obtained results show a certain improvement of geotechnicalproperties of studied soils, but effectiveness of tested treatment products is not yet clearly established on the scale of practice.This paper presents a state-of-the art review on the significant experimental studies carried out on some Algerian expansive soils,including those conducted on M’sila expansive clays of which the experimental data are available. The authors note that thepresent paper is a translation from French of the preliminary version presented as a conference (Khemissa et al. 2014).2. State-of-the art review on the behavior of Algerian problematic soilsExpansive, collapsible, liquefiable and salted soils are among the problematic soils most met in the Algerian arid and semi-aridregions. Their geographical distribution depends on a certain number of geological and/or geomorphological factors varying fromone area to another. Expansive natural soils are most widespread in these regions. They were the subject of some experimentalstudies already published. On the other hand, none geotechnical publication on collapsible, liquefiable or salted natural soils weredone. Thus, only the most significant characterization and stabilization studies of expansive natural soils are discussed hereafter.38 Khemissa et al./ J. Appl. Eng. Sci. Technol. (2015) 1(2): 37-412.1. Characterization studiesSignificant characterization studies carried out in Algeria concern the following expansive soils:o In-Aménas expansive clays (Derriche et al. 1989; Derriche and Kebaili 1998; Hachichi and Fleureau 1999);o Oran’s area expansive soils (Hachichi and Fleureau 1999; Hachichi et al. 2007);o Tlemcen’s area expansive clays (Djedid et al. 2001);o M’sila expansive clays (Khemissa et al. 2008; Mahamedi and Khemissa 2013 & 2014; Khemissa and Mahamedi 2014).These studies confirm the expansive character of tested soils and measure the extent of damage caused to civil and industrialconstructions on which they are founded (roadway systems and various networks, roads, small buildings).For M’sila expansive clays, as example, it is concluded that they are classified as low-to-high plastic clays, overconsolidated, lowpermeable and very low sensitive to creep. Their overconsolidation is due to the phenomenon of shrinkage resulting from more-or-less thorough desiccation (table 1).According to French classification of fine-grained soils and evolutionary rock materials (LCPC-SETRA 2000b), these clays belong tosubclass A4 (Ip>40 or MBV>8: high plastic clays and marly clays) and are considered as low fragmentary (FR<7) and low damaged(DG<5). The modifications of water content of these clays, in addition, are accompanied by shrinkage or swelling. Variousclassifications used show that these clays are characterized by high-to-very high swelling potential (figure 1).Table 1. Geotechnical parameters of M’sila expansive clays.Parameters SymbolsSidi-Aissa site Sidi-Hadjrès siteRanges of variation Mean values Ranges of variation Mean valuesDepth z (m) 1.5-2.0 1.75 1.30-1.70 1.50Natural water content wnat (%) 14.63-16.20 15.26 13.21-13.46 13.34Wet unit weight h (kN/m3) 21.26-21.62 21.43 20.4-24.2 22.3Dry unit weight d (kN/m3) 18.49-18.68 18.59 18.0-21.4 19.7Liquid limit wL (%) 40.37-48.39 43.80 81.5-86.7 83.7Plasticity index IP (%) 21.87-30.25 24.76 50.1-51.9 51.0Consistency index Ic (%) 1.09-1.24 1.15 1.33-1.47 1.38Methylene blue value MBV 5.23-5.80 5.56 7.40-9.77 8.31Clay content C2m (%) 24.2-55.0 37.6 20.5-30.9 25.7Activity of clay Ac 0.4-1.7 0.9 1.95-2.02 1.98Optimum water content wopt (%) - 11.1 19.2-19.6 19.51Maximum dry density d-max - 1.93 1.59-1.61 1.60Fragmentability coefficient FR - - 2.93-3.51 3.25Damage coefficient DG - - 2.68-3.50 2.97In-situ void ratio eo - - 0.60-0.78 0.67Preconsolidation pressure 'p (kPa) - - 650-1000 700Overconsolidation ratio OCR - - 8.7-13.5 9.1Compression index Cc - - 0.16-0.19 0.18Recompression index Cs - - 0.04-0.06 0.05Coefficient of permeability kvo (x10-11 m/s) - - 2.1-3.2 3Creep index Ce - - 0.002-0.011 0.006Swelling pressure s (kPa) - 195 430-850 600Secondary rate of swelling Cs - - 0.012-0.132 0.214Conventional shrinkage limit wR - - 11.6-11.8 11.7Free swelling fs (%) - 18.44 4.1-68.4 32.7Effective shrinkage limit wRE - - 17.3-21.8 19.9Khemissa et al./ J. Appl. Eng. Sci. Technol. (2015) 1(2): 37-41 3910304530 50 70 9002040600 20 40 60 80 100 120Plasticity index, I p(%)Liquid limit, wL (%) Sidi-Aissa site Sidi-Hadjrès siteSwelling potential (Dakshanamurthy and Raman 1973)Swelling potential (Chen1988) High plastic clays (CH)none low medium high very highLow plastic clays (CL)mediumlowvery highhighFig. 1. Classification of M’sila expansive clays.2.2. Treatment studiesSome stabilization studies were carried out on Algerian expansive soils. Cement and/or lime (Derriche and Lazzali 1997; Afès andDidier 2000; Hachichi et al. 2009; Mellas et al. 2012; Gueddouda et al. 2013; Mahamedi and Khemissa 2013 & 2014; Khemissa andMahamedi 2014), sand (Kaoua et al. 1994), salt (Bekkouche et al. 2007), dune sand and salt mixture (Lamara et al. 2007), lime andsalt mixture (Gueddouda et al. 2013) or lime and pozzolana mixture (Harichane et al. 2011) are used like stabilizers. Obtainedexperimental results are relatively satisfactory for cement and/or lime treatment. But, effectiveness of other treatment products isnot yet clearly established on the scale of practice.For M’sila expansive clays, as example, it is concluded that the simple or mix treatment with composed Portland cement andextinct lime does not involve significant differences on the compaction parameters (figure 2), making it possible to conclude with agood reconstitution of the soil under in-situ as laboratory conditions. It reduces in addition the plasticity of these clays (figure 3),increases their bearing capacity indexes (figure 4) and increases their undrained shear strength (figure 5). So, they becomeunexpansive and compactable, with a significant reduction of their deformability and a sensitive improvement of their bearingcapacity. Swelling reduction of these treated natural clays gets to them, in addition, certain stability (with respect to thedeformations due to the seasonal variations of water content) and, consequently, a durable behavior (with respect to the wear ofthe generating compacted particles of plastic fine particles).a/ Cement or lime simple treatment b/ Cement and lime mix treatmentFig. 2. Effect of simple and mix treatment on the normal compaction tests of M’sila expansive clays.40 Khemissa et al./ J. Appl. Eng. Sci. Technol. (2015) 1(2): 37-4110304530 50 70 9002040600 20 40 60 80 100 120Plasticity index, I p(%)Liquid limit, wL (%) C2  L2  C0L12 C4  L4  C2L10 C6  L6  C4L8 C8  L8  C6L6 C10  L10  C8L4 C12  L12  C10L2 C12L0High plastic clays (CH)Swelling potential (Dakshanamurthy and Raman 1973)Swelling potential (Chen1988) High plastic clays (CH)none low medium high very highLow plastic clays (CL)mediumlowvery highhigh(Control sample)Cement      Lime      Cement/LimeFig. 3. Effect of simple and mix treatment on the plasticity of M’sila expansive clays.0204060801000 2 4 6 8 10 12California Bearing Ratio, CBRStabilizer content (%)CBR Cement LimeUnsoakedSoaked020406080100California Bearing Ratio, CBRCement/Lime content (%)  Unsoaked CBR  Soaked CBRa/ Cement or lime simple treatment b/ Cement and lime mix treatmentFig. 4. Effect of simple and mix treatment on the bearing capacity of M’sila expansive clays.0501001502002500 2 4 6 8 10 12Undrained cohesion, cu(kPa)Stabilizer content (%)  Cement  Lime050100150200250Undrained cohesion, cu(kPa)Cement/Lime content (%)a/ Cement or lime simple treatment b/ Cement and lime mix treatmentFig. 5. Effect of simple and mix treatment on the undrained shear strength of M’sila expansive clays.Khemissa et al./ J. Appl. Eng. Sci. Technol. (2015) 1(2): 37-41 413. ConclusionThis paper had as a finality to present a state-of-the art review on the behavior of problematic soils in the Algerian arid and semi-arid regions. Expansive natural soils were the subject of some characterization and treatment studies already published. On theother hand, none specific geotechnical study of Algerian collapsible, liquefiable or salted natural soils was published at the presenttime. Results of available experimental studies conclude that the expansive natural soils can be used as filling or subgradematerials of roadways and as support of foundations of geotechnical structures after their specific treatment with hydraulicbinders. Indeed, results presented in this paper show that the simple or mixed treatment with composed Portland cement andextinct lime improves the mechanical properties of expansive natural clays. However, attempts to improve the mechanicalproperties of problematic soils by means of nonconventional treatment products gave mitigated results. Their use thus does notseem possible for the moment on the scale of practice.ReferencesAfès, M., G. Didier (2000) Stabilisation des sols gonflants : cas d’une argile en provenance de Mila (Algérie). Bulletin of Engineering Geology and theEnvironment, Springer, 59(1), 75-83.Bekkouche, A., F.Z. Azzouz, S.M. Aissa Mamoune (2007) Stabilisation par les sels des sols gonflants de la région de Tlemcen. SOMAPRO’07 :Colloque « sols et matériaux à problèmes », ISET Sfax, Tunisie, 19-25.Chen, F.H. (1988) Foundations on expansive soils. Developments in Geotechnical Engineering, Elsevier.Dakshanamurthy, V., V. Raman (1973) A simple method of identifying an expansive soil. Soils and Foundations, 13, 97-104.Derriche, Z., F. Lazzali (1997) Analyse des mécanismes de stabilisation d’un sol gonflant par apport de chaux sous différentes formes. InternationalProceedings on Engineering Geology and Environment, Springer, 79-84.Derriche, Z., M. Kebaili (1998) Prévision du gonflement des argiles d’In-Aménas. Bulletin des Laboratoires des Ponts et Chaussées, France, 218, 15-23.Djedid, A., A. Bekkouche, S.M. 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Problematic soil mechanics in the Algerian arid and semi-arid regions: Case of M’sila expansive clays

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Problematic soil mechanics in the Algerian arid and semi-arid regions: Case of M’sila expansive clays

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