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Study of Effect of Hydrocarbon Contamination on Geotechnical Properties of

Kaolnitic Clay and Expansive Soil through Linear Regression Analysis

Article in Indian Journal of Science and Technology · August 2016

DOI: 10.17485/ijst/2016/v9i30/99194

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 ISSN (Print) : 0974-6846
Indian Journal of Science and Technology, Vol 9(30), DOI: 10.17485/ijst/2016/v9i30/99194, August 2016 ISSN (Online) : 0974-5645

Study of Effect of Hydrocarbon Contamination

on Geotechnical Properties of Kaolnitic
Clay and Expansive Soil through
Linear Regression Analysis
Gupta Harsh*, Ashray Patel, Bavishi Himanshu and Preeti Tiwari
Department of Civil Engineering, Indus University, Ahmedabad - 382115, Gujarat, India;
guptaharsh935@gmail.com, ashraypatel.13.cvl@iite.indusuni.ac.in,
himanshubavishi.13.cvl@iite.indusuni.ac.in, preetitiwari.cvl@indusuni.ac.in

Abstract
Background: Hydrocarbon contamination is one of the perturbed issues of concern in the current scenario of tremendous
development in petroleum sector all over the world. Intrusion of such contaminants results in altering the engineering
properties of soil which lie in the vicinity of such effected zones. Many research works have been done to evaluate the
extent of deterioration of soil properties due to such contaminants on various soil samples. Methodology: The present
research work focuses not only on hydrocarbon-clay and hydrocarbon-expansive soil interaction mechanism and effect
of hydrocarbon on Kaolinite Clay and black cotton soil which is expansive in nature through laboratory tests viz. specific
gravity test, Atterberg’s limit test, free swell index test as per IS Code:2720 part 3-1 (1980), part 5,6 (1985) and part 40
(1977) respectively on non-contaminated as well as contaminated soil samples but also the effect of rate of hydrocarbon
contamination on both the soil types and generate a comparative plot for the both so as to evaluate the behavior of different
soil on subjection with hydrocarbon contamination. Soil sample was prepared by adding water equal to liquid limit of the
soil and hydrocarbon in 3%, 6% and 9% of the total mass of soil sample taken followed by performing each test. Findings
and Conclusion: Co-relations are obtained for each property w.r.t % of hydrocarbon contamination for both the soil
types through LRA. Using coefficient of regression as a parameter (R2 values) the co-relations obtained are validated. The
conclusions were drawn stating that there is a remarkable alternation of swelling and shrinkage characteristics of black
cotton soil due to hydrocarbon contamination. The extent of deterioration of geotechnical properties in expansive soils is
more distinct then that in clays. Applications/Improvements: With the use of LRA, the co-relations can be validated and
comparison for the suitability of a particular soil type at such contaminated zone can be determined.

Keywords: Hydrocarbon Contamination, Index and Engineering Properties, Linear Regression Analysis (LRA)

1. Introduction in large amounts from the treatment of crude-oil and oil

The past few years have witnessed tremendous growth
in petroleum sector all over the world. This has led
to hydrocarbon contamination of soil situated in the
vicinity of the petroleum spillage areas which is a serious
problem for the environment as it adversely affects the
soil inherent properties viz. index properties and strength
properties. Hydrocarbons contaminated clay resulting
refineries represent a great geo-environmental pollution
threats per reference1. Hydrocarbon soil contamination
is very common in marine clays. Petrochemicals,
hydrocarbons (oil spills), are extensively liberated
onto the surrounding soil and get penetrated into the
deep ground soil further affecting its physio-chemical
properties. With this process of large-scale exploitation of
coastal and offshore oil, coastal soils have encountered oil

* Author for correspondence

 Study of Effect of Hydrocarbon Contamination on Geotechnical Properties of Kaolnitic Clay and Expansive Soil through Linear
Regression Analysis

pollution. And this legacy of industrialization which has
resulted in a prevalence of hydrocarbons contamination
of surrounding soils, necessitates the evaluation and
analysis of the hazardous effects of these contaminants
on soils as well. Linear Regression Analysis enables to
obtain proper equation for each soil-type and percentage
of hydrocarbon contamination as per reference2,3. The
developed equations thus enable to co-relate each
geotechnical parameter for each rate of hydrocarbon
contamination. Further interpolation can be done using
these equations by varying the percentage of hydrocarbon
(in this research work, equation for 3%, 6% and 9% of
hydrocarbon contamination is being obtained).
2. Materials and Sampling
condition in the most possible manner by adding water
to clay of amount equal to its liquid limit and adding
hydrocarbon in 3% of the total weight of clay sample
taken. Similar procedure is applied for sampling of 6% and
9% of clay sample as well as for black cotton soil sample.
3. Methodology
3.1 Index Properties
The index properties viz. Specific Gravity, Liquid Limit,
Plastic Limit, Shrinkage Limit of non-contaminated
Kaolinite Clay and expansive soil as well as hydrocarbon
contaminated Kaolinite Clay and expansive soil is
determined in accordance with IS Code 2720 part (1-6)
for each geotechnical property.

Source of the Kaolinite Clay was identified and procured

3.2 Engineering Property
commercially from Ahmedabad, Gujarat and Black
The engineering property viz. free swell index test is
cotton was procured from Saurashtra region, Gujarat.
determined for Kaolinite Clay and black cotton soil in
The disturbed soil samples were put in plastic bags, and
accordance with IS Code 2720 Part-40 as per reference
then transported to the soil laboratory. The natural soil
to study the effect of hydrocarbon on swelling and
was classified visually and experimentally as clay of
shrinking property of soil on both non-contaminated and
high plasticity (CH) according to unified classification
hydrocarbon contaminated soil sample as per reference4–7.
soil system (IS classification). For the present study the
Table 1 shows the impact of hydrocarbon contamination
hydrocarbon contaminated soil was procured from one
on the index and engineering soil properties of both the
of the major petroleum unit. The sample was in saturated
soil samples. The comparison can be drawn for both soil-
form mixed with various hydrocarbons.
type and can be stated for each percentage of hydrocarbon
The hydrocarbon contaminated samples is been
contamination as per reference8,9
prepared artificially in the laboratory to replicate in-situ

Table 1. Index properties and Engineering properties of hydrocarbon contaminated and non-contaminated Kaolinite
Clay and expansive soil
Index Non- Hydrocarbon contaminated Hydrocarbon Hydrocarbon contaminated expansive
properties contaminated Kaolinite Clay contaminated soil
Kaolinite Clay 3% 6% 9% Kaolinite Clay 3% 6% 9%
Liquid limit 51 48.8 46.2 42.8 19.5 18.6 15.3 14.2
Plastic limit 25.5 26.05 26.1 26.43 18.59 19.31 19.57 19.72
Shrinkage limit 25.2 26 26.2 26.52 14.89 17.16 21.89 27.89
Specific gravity 2.66 2.28 1.79 1.32 2.5 2.21 1.68 1.25
Engineering Non- Hydrocarbon contaminated Hydrocarbon Hydrocarbon contaminated Kaolinite
properties contaminated Kaolinite Clay contaminated Clay
Kaolinite Clay 3% 6% 9% Kaolinite Clay 3% 6% 9%
Free swell index 35.71 56.52 63.6 81.6 37.5 56.25 64.71 127.27

2 Vol 9 (30) | August 2016 | www.indjst.org Indian Journal of Science and Technology
 Gupta Harsh, Ashray Patel, Bavishi Himanshu and Preeti Tiwari

Table 2. Comparative table for percentage variation of various index properties as well as engineering properties
SR. TESTS Sample HYDROCARBON CONTAMINATION % INCREMENT/DECREMENT
NO. 0%_HYD 3%_HYD 6%_HYD 9%_HYD 0%-3_HYD% 0%-6_HYD% 0%-9_HYD%
1 Specific Kaolinite Clay 2.66 2.28 1.79 1.32 -14.29 -32.71 -50.38
Gravity
(IS 2720-3) Black cotton 2.5 2.21 1.68 1.25 -11.60 -32.80 -50.00
Soil
2 Liquid limit Kaolinite Clay 51 48.8 46.2 42.8 -4.31 -9.41 -16.08
(IS 2720-5) Black cotton 32 30.37 27.68 25.87 -5.09 -13.5 -19.16
Soil
3 Plastic limit Kaolinite Clay 25.05 26.05 26.12 26.43 3.99 4.27 5.51
(IS 2720-5) Black cotton 18.59 19.31 19.57 19.72 3.87 5.27 6.08
Soil
4 Shrinkage Kaolinite Clay 25.22 25.9 26.17 26.52 2.70 3.77 5.15
limit Black cotton 14.89 17.16 21.89 27.89 15.25 47.01 87.31
(IS 2720-6) Soil
6 Free Swell Kaolinite Clay 35.71 56.52 63.64 81.63 58.27 78.21 128.59
index Black cotton 37.5 56.25 64.71 127.27 50.00 72.56 239.39
(IS 2720-40) Soil

4. Results and Discussions The density of hydrocarbon is much lower than that
of water, it tends to lower down the specific gravity of the
Based on the test results for various index and engineering clay and expansive soil both as per reference10.
properties of Kaolinite Clay and expansive soil (Black
cotton) comparative table (Table 2) and plots are shown to 4.2 Liquid Limit vs. % Contamination
compare the results and analyze to draw valid conclusions The liquid limit of Kaolinite Clay and that of expansive soil
based on the extensive testing of the two soil type. decreases as the percentage of contamination increases by
4.31%, 9.41% and
4.1 Specific Gravity vs. % Contamination
Specific gravity (Figure 4.1) decreases as the percentage
of hydrocarbon contamination increases from 0% to 3%,
6% and 9% by 15.44%, 29.73% and 40.54% respectively
for Kaolinite Clay and by 11.6%, 32.8% and 50% for
expansive soil respectively. Since

Figure 4.2. Liquid limit vs. percentage of contamination.

16.08% for 3%, 6% and 9% of hydrocarbon

contamination in clay and 5.09%, 13.5% and 19.16%
for 3%, 6% and 9% of hydrocarbon contamination in
Figure 4.1. Specific gravity vs. % of contamination.

Vol 9 (30) | August 2016 | www.indjst.org Indian Journal of Science and Technology 3
 Study of Effect of Hydrocarbon Contamination on Geotechnical Properties of Kaolnitic Clay and Expansive Soil through Linear
Regression Analysis
expansive soil (Figure 4.2). The reason can be attributed
to the fact that presence of hydrocarbon causes the matrix
becomes viscous which results in rapid slippage of needle
in the contaminated soil sample as per reference11.
4.3 Plastic Limit vs. % Contamination
The plastic limit of Kaolinite Clay increases by 4%,
4.2% and 5.5% for 3%, 6% and 9% of hydrocarbon
contamination respectively (Figure 4.3) as per reference11.
Figure 4.3. Plastic limit vs. percentage of contamination.
4.4 Shrinkage Limit vs % Contamination
The shrinkage limit increases by 2.7%, 3.8% and 5.2% for
3%, 6% and 9% of hydrocarbon contaminated Kaolinite
Clay respectively with respect to non-contaminated clay
sample (Figure 4.4) as per reference12.
Figure 4.4. Shrinkage limit vs % of contamination.
4.5 Free Swell Index vs % contamination
The free swell index value is an important parameter to
analyze the effect of hydrocarbon on swelling potential of
clay and black cotton.
4 Vol 9 (30) | August 2016 | www.indjst.org
Free swell index of hydrocarbon contaminated
Kaolinite Clay increases by 58.27%, 78.21% and 128.6%
for 3%, 6% and 9% respectively as shown in Figure 4.5 as
per reference13.
Figure 4.5. Free swell index vs % of contamination.
5. Conclusions
From Table 3, various linear equations developed for
both the soil type can be seen through Linear Regression
Analysis. The above study reveals that there is a major
influence of hydrocarbon contamination on engineering
behavior of clays and expansive soil. This leads us advance
assessment of influence of both percentage contamination
and periodic contamination on strength characteristics of
such clays.
India’s coastal belt is highly influenced by oil and gas
spillages and other volatile toxic and non-toxic intrusion
of chemicals demands geotechnical engineer to study
the engineering behavior of clays and expansive soil
so as to analyze the suitability of such contaminated
zone for construction of civil engineering structure in
future. From the comparative plots, it can be concluded
that, percentage variation for each property (Specific
Gravity, Liquid Limit) shown by fine grained sand for
each percentage of contamination is higher than that
in clays. Hence, it can be inferred that properties of
expansive soil are more susceptible to deteriorate due to
hydrocarbon subjection than that in clays. The reason can
be stated for physio-chemical interaction of hydrocarbon
with sand and clay. Due to lower permeability of clay,
the penetration of hydrocarbon through them is not
remarkable. Also, clay form double diffused layer around
it which does not allow penetration of oil through it as
oil tends to float around its surfaced i.e. adsorption
occurs. The main purpose of this research work is to
Indian Journal of Science and Technology
 Gupta Harsh, Ashray Patel, Bavishi Himanshu and Preeti Tiwari

Table 3. Co-relation obtained between various index properties as well as engineering properties.
Sr. Index properties Co-relation with each property Linear Equation Coefficient
No. and Engineering of linear
properties regression
1. Liquid limit, LL As the percentage of contamination increases, liquid limit decreases, y = -1.4769x + 29.46 R² = 0.9452
2. Plastic limit, PL As the percentage of contamination increases, plastic limit increases y = 7.2663x - 135.72 R² = 0.8841
3. Shrinkage limit, As the percentage of contamination increases, shrinkage limit y = 0.6615x - 9.0321 R² = 0.9642
SL decreases
4. Specific gravity, As the percentage of contamination increases, specific gravity y = -6.9286x + R² = 0.9885
G decreases 17.734
5. Free swelling As the percentage of contamination increases, free swell index y = 0.0917x - 2.0485 R² = 0.8488
index increases

evaluate whether hydrocarbon contaminated clays and
expansive soil provide any suitability for construction
of roads, pavements, buildings, Dams etc. in future or
not and also that which soil type is more susceptible to
such contaminants. Through the comparative graphs and
Linear Regression Analysis, it can thus be concluded that
expansive soil are more prone to such contamination and
thus less reliable than clays for any future civil engineering
projects. Clays on the other hand may remain intact and
thus serve for the construction purpose.
6. References
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with petroleum constituents. ASTM International; 1994.
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cation and Investigations for Hydrocarbon and Contami-
nated Site Remediation. ScienceDirect; 1991 Jan.
3. Dineen D, Slater JP, Holland JP. In situ biological reme-
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Hydrocarbon Contaminated Soil and Ground Water: Anal-
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tion. Chelsea, Mich: Lewis Publishers; 1990.
4. Custance SRMPH. Environmental fate of the chemical
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8. IS code: 2720-3(1980). Determination of specific gravity of
soil.
9. IS code: 2720- 5 (1980). Determination of Atterberg’s limit.
10. IS code: 2720-6(1980). Determination of shrinkage limit
for fine grained soil.
11. IS code 2720-40(1980). Determination of free swell index
value for fine grained soil.
12. Rahman ZA, Hamzah U, Taha MR, Ithnain NS, Ahmad N.
Influence of oil contamination on Geotechnical Properties
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