Faculty of Mining, Geology and Civil Engineeringl

Professional School of Civil Engineering

SOIL MECHANICS II
State of the art
Improvement of the capacity of clay soils using
different methods
Teacher:
Ing. Saul Walter Retamozo Fernandez

Integrants:

16162515 CANDIA ROMAN, José Luis

16163302 MAURICIO VENTURA, Thalia Sthefanny
16075717 NUÑEZ PACOTAIPE, Fredy Pabel
16162139 HUAMAN AQUINO, Yeltsin
16125813 HUARCAYA RAMOS, Edwin Walter
16162108 QUISPE GUTIERREZ, Wilder Roger
16145173 QUISPE CASTRO, Juan
16162508 RUIZ HUAMAN, Kevin Nihuman
16162304 TIRADO GARRIAZO, Lesly Nayely
16115715 ZAMORA QUISPE, Marco Reding
Ayacucho - Perú
2020

1
ImprovementImprovement of the capacity of clay soils
using different methods

1.1 INTERNATIONAL INVESTIGATIONS

1.1.1
The Geotechnical and Environmental Research Group (GERG) of the Francis-
co de Paula Santander Ocaña University, Faculty of Engineering (Ocaña, Colom-
bia), MSc. Romel Jesús Gallardo Amaya, Dr. Oscar Andrés Cuanalo Campos, Eng.
Leidy Johana Quintero Lemus, Est. Angie Alejandra Muñoz, Est. Ciro Andrey
Martinez, in their research: “Analysis of the Behavior of High Plasticity Soils
with the Addition of Waste Material in the Manufacture of Ceramic Brick ”,
published in the Colombian Journal of Advanced Technologies (2016). In this re-
search project, the brick residue from Ladrillera Ocaña was used as an alternative
material for the adaptation of the subgrade of tertiary roads, which in many cases
is made up of highly plastic materials that generate problems in winter. of wal-
kability; These roads are of great importance since they allow communication to
agricultural production areas.
It should be noted that according to (Payares, 2014) it indicates that the type of
clay used for the manufacture of the brick in this Ladrillera are of three types: A
green clay that is classified into two groups “Green 1: sample with lower percen-
tages of sand retained on the 120, 230 and 325 meshes and a higher percentage
of material that passes through the 325 mesh and a second group characterized
by a Green 1A, Green 1B and Green 1C clay: Raw materials that can be grouped
by their similar granulometries ”.
The methodology used was developed in a Descriptive-Experimental framework,
the basic tests to see the physical and mechanical characteristics of the soil we-
re: CBR Test, Atterberg Limits, Granulometric Analysis, where it was evidenced
that the use of brick residue as an alternative material For the improvement of
highly plastic soils, it shows good behavior to decrease plasticity up to 22.27 %

2
for a dosage of 10 % and increase the CBR index of the soil by 3 % with respect to
the natural condition.

1.1.2
Mario E. Amaya, Eduardo Botero and Efraı́n Ovando, in their research Calcium
oxide in clay soil stabilization, published in November 2018, in the journal
Grupo de Investigación en Sociedad Mexicana de Ingenierı́a Geotecnica (SMIG),
(León, Guanajuato, Mexica). This research is focused on the technical evaluation
of the applicability of chemical stabilization of clayey materials at surface level to
transform them into optimal materials as working platforms, using a sample that
focuses on the CS (surface crust) and the FAS (upper clayey formation), because
the proposed soil improvement was performed superficially in the first 0.50 m
of the deposit. In the FAS, clay soils with high compressibility predominate with
water content variations from 50 to 400 %. According to the SUCS classification,
the materials that predominate in the SSF are of type CH (high plasticity orgaic
clay), with very high plasticity index (IP) and liquid limit (wL), with minimum
resistance and very susceptible to volumetric changes. The soils of the site are,
from the point of view of geotechnics, materials of poor physical and mechanical
characteristics. In view of this situation, it was necessary to alter the conditions
of the subsoil by means of improvement systems. In order to improve the sta-
bilization, it was carried out the addition in weight of 10 % of CaCaO, which
chemically modifies soils and transforms them into materials suitable for short
and medium term use in construction due to the fact that it increases their re-
sistance and reduces volumetric changes. After the use of CaO, it was obtained
in the short term for the S-1 soil sample in natural conditions compared to those
obtained from the soil-CaO mixtures, which present resistance increases during
the first 5 to 7 days of curing in the CBR index of 2. 8 % to 10.1 %, the decrease
in expansion from 4 % to less than 0.5 %, the substantial increase in simple com-
pressive strength from 12.40 kPa (CN) to 493.0 kPa For the medium term, from
69 days of cure, the strength continues to increase, the lowest CBR determined
is 29 % and the increase in simple compressive strength is approximately 980.0
kPa.

1.1.3
Rizgar A. Blayi, Aryan Far H. Sherwani, Hawkar Hashim Ibrahim, Rabar H. Faraj
and Ako Daraei, in their research: textbf Ïmproving the Resistance of Expan-
ding Soil by Using Residual Glass Dust”(RIZGAR, et al.,2020) This experimental
study was conducted to determine the optimal percentage of residual glass pow-
der (WGP) to be used for the improvement of the strength and bearing capacity
of expansive soils such as clay, especially for road construction since this type of
soil is a problem for civil engineering projects due to its cyclic behavior of expan-
sion - contraction and low resistance. For this purpose, they obtained clay soil
samples that were taken from the Hamilton Soran-Jundean highway in the city
of Soran - Iraq, approximately at a depth of 1m and 2.7m. These samples treated
and not treated with WGP were analyzed in the laboratory through tests that are
the Atterberg limits, compaction, free swelling, compression strength tests (UCS),
direct shear strength, permeability and California load ratio (CBR). To improve

3
the stabilization of the clay soil, it was treated with different percentages of re-
sidual glass powder (WGP) of 2. 5 %, 5 %, 10 %, 15 % and 25 % with respect to
the dry weight of the soil sample, obtaining Atterberg limits as the liquid limit
(LL) was reduced from 44.20 % to 22.28 %, plastic limit (PL) was reduced from
24.81 % to 16.44 %, plasticity index (PI) was reduced from 19.39 % to 5.84 %. In
compaction, soil moisture content was reduced from 18.5 % to 13 % due to the
replacement of clay soil by residual glass powder (WGP) which has low water
absorption and maximum dry density increased from 1.74g/cm3 to 1.94g/cm3.
The maximum compressive strength (UCS) values of the samples increased from
205.01 kPa to 360.10 kPa; however, for greater than 15 % WGP the UCS was re-
duced to 332.54kPa. In contrast, the increased CBR values due to WGP result in
a decrease in subbase layer thickness from 240 mm to 150 mm. Consequently,
the improvement in strength and bearing capacity of clayey soil in road projects
through the use of residual glass powder, performed through different laboratory
tests to determine the optimal WGP percentage is approximately 15 % of the dry
weight of the soil sample, since the geotechnical properties of the expansive soil
continue to decrease after this amount.

1.1.4
Daniel Morales Zuluaga in his degree work:.Assessment of coal ash for the sta-
bilization of soils by alkaline activation and its use on unpaved roads”(2015)
aimed to evaluate, estimate and determine the mechanical behavior of coal ash
as a soil stabilizer and assess its ability to resist vehicle-borne loads. The effect of
an alkaline activated coal ash on different types of soils was analyzed by means
of the unconfined compressive strength test (UCS). The results obtained in the
Proctor Modified and UCS tests of clay and sand soils and also a representative
soil of the study road in the INNOVIAL Network project of the Municipality of
Urrao, which is called Ürrao”, are presented and analyzed. All the soils were ad-
ded with coal ash in percentages of 7 %, 14 % and 21 %, failed and cured at the
age of 7 days. Through the statistical analysis the results were analyzed to iden-
tify the factors that most influence the response variable in each of the soils. A
comparison was made between the results obtained by the different types of soil
and the dosages of coal ash used in the study, in addition to the influence of the
type of alkaline activator that was used. It was found that coal ash to be mixed
with the soils of sand, clay and Urrao must be sieved by mesh No. 100 or greater
and use sodium hydroxide in solution as alkaline activator at a concentration clo-
se to 8 MOLAR to obtain a cementitious material with characteristics comparable
to the INVIAS Article - 350.4.1.

1.2 NATIONAL INVESTIGATIONS

1.2.1
Kehila Bethsua Elipheleth Guerra Arma, in her graduate work: bearing capa-
city (CBR) of three clay soils incorporating banana pseudostem fiber in dif-
ferent percentages, in the town of Namora - Cajamarca region (GUERRA AR-
MAS,2019).The main objective of this thesis was to determine the bearing capa-

4
city of three clay soils incorporating banana pseudostem fiber in three different
percentages. The methodology used to carry out the research consisted of obtai-
ning three clay soil samples without incorporation of banana pseudostem fiber
and three samples for each incorporation of 0.25 %, 0.5 % and 0.75 % of banana
pseudostem fiber. for each type of soil, which were analyzed in the laboratory
with the moisture content tests, granulometric analysis and Atterberg limits, to
classify them according to SUCS, and AASHTO; The data obtained were analy-
zed to determine the influence of the incorporation of banana pseudostem in the
CBR of the soils, obtaining as a result that: for soil No. 01 for a CBR at 0.1 .and
0.2”the standard sample obtained values of 0.577 and 0.615, with incorporation
of 0.25 % of 0.870 and 0.900, with incorporation of 0.50 % of 0.405 and 0.405 and
incorporation of 0.75 % of 0.358 and 0.365, respectively. For soil No. 02 for a CBR
at 0.1 ”and 0.2”, the standard sample obtained values of 0.370 and 0.465, with
incorporation of 0.25 % from 1.185 and 1.310, with incorporation of 0.50 % from
0.592 and 0.633 and with incorporation 0.75 % of 0.468 and 0.485, respectively.
For soil No. 03 for a CBR at 0.1 ”and 0.2”, the standard sample obtained values
of 0.873 and 0.980, with incorporation of 0.25 % of 1.150 and 1.165, with incor-
poration of 0.50 % of 0.794 and 0.808 and with incorporation 0.75 % of 0.433 and
0.515, respectively. With this, it was concluded that the banana pseudostem fiber
has a positive influence on the bearing capacity of the soil with an incorporation
of 0.25 %.

1.2.2
Joel Felipe Archenti Zegarra in his graduate work: Zoning of the soil bearing ca-
pacity in the town of Lagunas Lagunas district, Alto Amazonas - Loreto region
(Archenti, 2018), In this study I carry out to identify and evaluate the types of
soils that exist in the locality and determine their bearing capacity in order to use
them to develop a zoning plan for the physical and mechanical characteristics of
the soils. In this way, contribute with the results of the research to the general
population of the town for subsequent buildings to be built. He actively partici-
pated in the production of new knowledge for positive community and science
purposes. They applied the fundamental concepts in the area of soil mechanics,
using the special equipment and accessories of the laboratory of the University
Faculty that it represents, in this way to obtain the results of the classification
of sandy and clay soils. In the same way, with the fundamental contribution of
the direct shear test, they obtained the necessary parameters of the friction angle
() and cohesion (C), basic to determine the bearing capacity of the soils under
study. The achievements obtained indicate that the results obtained clearly show
that it is possible to achieve from the correct application of the theory, studies and
strong results, which can be used to calculate the bearing capacity. In this way we
are helping to solve the problem, as well as the economic and social development
of this town.

1.2.3
Yelsin Edilberto Palomino Saldaña in her thesis to opt for the professional title:
“NFLUENCE OF SODIUM CHLORIDE ADDITION ON THE CALIFORNIA BEA-
RING RATIO INDEX (CBR) OF A CLAY SOIL, CAJAMARCA 2016” (PALO-

5
MINO SALDAÑA - 2016) carried out studies of the clay soil samples in a clay
bank in the town center of Santa Bárbara, district of Baños del Inca province
of Cajamarca Cajamarca region, later the soil was analyzed in the laboratory
with moisture content tests, granulometric test and Atterberg limits to obtain
the SUCS classification. The tests that were carried out on the clay soil were the
following: specific weight, Atterberg limits, modified proctor and California Bea-
ring Ratio working with a standard sample as well as with samples with the esta-
blished sodium chloride dosages. The data obtained in the mentioned tests were
analyzed to determine the influence. The addition of sodium chloride in 4 %, 8 %
and 12 % in the California Bearing ratio (CBR) of a clay soil obtained the follo-
wing results for a 0.1 ”CBR: with the standard sample the CBR of 4.43 %, adding
4 % of sodium chloride a CBR of 4.50 %, adding 8 % of sodium chloride to the
CBR of 4.70 %, adding 12 % of sodium chloride to the CBR of 4.85 %; for CBR at
0.2 ”, with the standard sample the CBR of 4.85 %, adding 4 % of sodium chloride
to the CBR of 5.01 %, adding 8 % of sodium chloride, the CBR of 5.21 %, adding
12 % of sodium chloride, the CBR of 4.32 % confirming the hypothesis proposed
since the addition of sodium chloride in percentages of 4 %, 8 % and 12 % increa-
ses the CBR value by up to 10 % in comparison to the standard sample.
The addition of sodium chloride in clay soils by 4 % 8 % and 12 % increases the
California Bearing Ratio (CBR) by up to 10 %.

1.3 LOCAL INVESTIGATIONS

1.3.1
Mamani Barriga Lux Eva, Yataco Quispe Alejandro Jesús, in his graduate work:
Stabilization of clayey soils by applying wood ashes from the bottom, a product
of handmade brick factories in the department of Ayacucho(Mamani Yataco,
2017) had the objective of determining the incidence of wood ashes in the sta-
bilization of clayey soil, for which they considered as a study sample 17 artisan
brickmakers from the District of Pacaicasa and the clay found in the slope of km
17 of the section Huamanga-Pacaicasa, both belonging to the District of Pacaica-
sa, Province of Huamanga and Department of Ayacucho. To evaluate the effect
of wood ash on improving the properties of clay soil, they created different mix-
tures of ash and clay soil that were subjected to the same laboratory tests, and
also used the experimental observation for the collection of data, because the da-
ta was obtained by running laboratory tests, which were properly controlled and
the collection instrument used data log sheets (Microsoft Excel).
The results of the tests carried out showed that there is a better mechanical beha-
vior in the clay-ash mixture, compared to pure clay soil. To this end, factors such
as curing time, compaction time, water content and other factors that influence
the properties of the final mixture were examined.
Therefore, the addition of bottom ash with respect to the clay soil decreases the
Plasticity Index of the consistency limits test and increases the specific gravity of
the solids, benefiting the physical characteristics of the soil.

1.3.2

6
Ximena Julieta Garcia Santos in her research: Improvement of a clay soil in the
town of Pacaisapa - Ayacucho using industrial waste to evaluate it in a hypotheti-
cal wall of mechanically stabilized earth (GARCIA SANTOS, 2019). This research
aims to evaluate the mechanical behavior of a clay soil in the town of Pacaisapa -
Ayacucho by adding industrial waste such as: ground rubber, from recycled tires;
recycled plastic strips and rice husk ash. In this investigation, direct cut tests we-
re carried out (NTP – 339.171) and unconfined compression tests (NTP 339.167)
to obtain the cohesion parameters, friction angles and the modulus of elasticity
of the soil; and modeling is also done in the plaxis 8.2 software making use of the
Mohr - Coulomb surrogate model.
Several mixtures were made to see how cohesion varies, modulus of elasticity;
but by adding 30 % rice husk ash, 2 % plastic strips and 10 % crushed rubber, An
optimal result is obtained as follows: Cohesion improves by 41.89 %, the modulus
of elasticity improves by 4.8 %; also the horizontal displacements decrease.
Therefore it can be concluded that with the addition of rice husk ash, the plastic
strips and crushed rubber improve the behavior of clay soils.

1.3.3
Carlos Jan Curitomay Najarro in his thesis: ”STABILIZATION OF CLAY SOILS
WITH COPOLYMER TYPE POLYMERS, APPLIED TO MID-TRANSIT WORKS
ON THE PUCALOMA - YANAYACU HIGHWAY, SOCOS DISTRICT” . In his
study analyzes the behavior of clay, the change of clay volume caused by changes
in moisture by capillarity and / or penetration. Any lightweight building pla-
ced in this type of soil will deform. As the clay swells, these movements become
cracks. The elevation of walls and floors. In this sense, different solutions have
been proposed to reduce the change in volume of the clay; some methods can
change the characteristics and physical and chemical properties of the clay, ad-
ding different materials to stabilize the volume of clay. Similarly, as lime, cement,
phosphate, aluminum salt, recently polymer. This study uses copolymers: polyu-
rethane and acrylic. For the study, samples of natural soil and polymer-treated
soil were considered. In both samples, exponential properties, compaction, stress
resistance to vertical loads, expansion and contraction were measured. To de-
termine if the use of the polymer is effective. The most important result of this
research is that, relative to the natural soil, it refers to the contraction, expansion
and increase of the load.
The analysis for this study will be done with the samples of the calicatas obtained
in the Pucaloma-Yanayacu highway, belonging to the district of socos.
To obtain these data, modified proctor test equipment was used, as well as equip-
ment for testing the California CBR support ratio and equipment for geotechnical
characterization, each one of these with its respective instruments and samples.
These samples were obtained from the four pits that were made for the study,
thus reaching a comparison of stabilization costs with polymers and other stabi-
lization methods, resulting in the least expensive and most favorable polymer, as
could be observed in the calculations of this research.