2"4International Conference on Advances in Civil and Environmental Engineering (ICACEE-2023) University of Engineering & Technology Taxila, Pakistan Conference date: 22"4and 23February, 2023 STUDY ON STRENGTH CHARACTERISTICS OF COLLAPSIBLE SOILS CONSIDERING VARYING MOISTURE CONTENT Muhammad Mudassar', Dr. Zia-Ur-Rehman’, Dr. Naveed Ahmad’, Muhammad Abdul Rehman‘ » Babar Khan’ 1: MS Student-Civil Engineering Department, UET Taxila-Pakistan, muhammadmudassar195@gmail.com 2: Assistant Professor, Civil Engineering Department, UET Taxila-Pakistan, ziaur.rehman@uettaxila.edu.pk 3: Assistant Professor, Civil Engineering Department, UET Taxila-Pakistan, naveed.ahmad@uettaxila.edu.pk 4: MS Graduate-Civil Engineering Department, UMT Lahore, Pakistan, arbutt7861@gmail.com 5, CEO-Geoservices Engineering Consultants, Islamabad, Pakistan, geoservices.eec(@email.com ABSTRACT The research focuses on the issue of foundation problems in the collapsible soil of Hattar Industrial Estata, Sohawa, Pasni and Eighteen Islamabad, and found Eighteen Islamabad highest collapse potential of 4.2, Most of the buildings were fractured after or even during construction, Cracks ‘were not only in walls or beams but also in foundations. Therefore, this study was carried out to identify collapsible soil potential and develop suitable mitigation techniques for the under-study area. Collapse potential was found by Oedometer test and by index test including; grain size distribution (ASTM D422 and D4693), Atterburg’s limit (ASTM D 4318), Hydrometer analysis (ASTM D 1140), Specific Gravity (ASTM D 854), UCS. Collapse potential with varying moisture content was also examined and results show that this variation causes foundation failure, which results in structure failure. Values from all tests were in ASTM ranges. It is suggested to protect, that type of soil with interaction of water before and after construction. KEYWORDS: Collapsible Soil, Collapse Potential, Single Oedometer, Double Oedometer, and Eighteen Islamabad. INTRODUCTION Collapsible soil is a type of soil in which volume decreases with the addition of water. Loess is a fine example of collapsible soil and is a wind-made silt deposit. Loess is normally lesser erractic than compared with other types of collapsible soil, but is usually thicker. (Coduto, 2005). The bearing capacity of these soils is particularly lesser, having high compressibility and lower density. More precisely, collapsible soils are those that collapse on moisture, as soil fabric is unable to hold weight of the load, Soils are capable of withstanding a certain amount of stress on saturation, when saturation collapse pressure will be greater than the overburden pressure and can be considered conditionally collapsible soil The difference between the pressures caused by overburden and saturation collapsible is the maximum load that such soils can support. There are identified sandy, silty, and clayey kinds of these soils, with the majority falling into the silty category, typically including 50 to 90% silt, particles. These soils often have a loose skeleton of grains (typically quartz) and micro-aggregates as their fabric (usually assemblages of clay particles). These often have equally distributed pores, 4242"4International Conference on Advances in Civil and Environmental Engineering (ICACEE-2023) University of Engineering & Technology Taxila, Pakistan Conference date: 22"4and 23February, 2023 bonds, and bridges connecting them and a tendency to be independent of one another. Clay-sized minerals were used to create the bridges (Salley, 2005). Since grains are not in direct contact, the nature and quality of the bonds and bridges determine their mechanical behavior. The Settlement of soil depends on the types of soil and stresses due to applied pressure. Although that type is either, compaction may complete after some time because the solids in soil may develop in a new shape. But, in a few cases of a specific type of soil, more settlement may be caused by additional wetting. (Vandanapu, 2019) term this settlement as collapsed settlement. Although the existence of collapsible soil has long been acknowledged by several studies, the present construction of infrastructure over this type of soil as well as the issues related to it has made a detailed investigation of its weak points and mitigation strategies necessary. Collapsible soils give high SPT N-values when dry or partially saturated, but lose a major part of their strength with an increase in moisture content, causing severe damage in terms of the settlement of structures. Objective The objective of this research work is to identify and evaluate collapsible soil potential in under- study area, developing a bearing capacity reduction factor for collapsible soil, evaluating the soil collapse potential indirectly by correlating it with other engineering properties such as unit weight, Atterberg’s limit, or percentage of clay particles, and bearing capacity reduction factor for collapsible soils with correlating other properties. Research Methodology Site Identification The understudy region was used due to building failure in Eighteen Islamabad after construction. Moreover, prior testing shows the highest collapse potential of 4.2 as shown in Table 1 in Eighteen Islamabad as compared to other study areas, Hattar Industrial Estate, Pasni, and Sohawa. Eighteen Islamabad is located in Islamabad, near Lahore-Islamabad Motorway Grand Trunk Road and 16 kilometers from New Islamabad International Airport as shown in Figure 1. This mega-housing society spreads over $72 Acres. 42s2"International Conference on Advances in Civil and Environmental Engineering (ICACEE-2023) University of Engineering & Technology Taxila, Pakistan Conference date: 22"4and 23February, 2023 Figure 17: Study Area of Eighteen Islamabad Table 6: Collapse Potential of under study areas Sr. No. Area Soil Type | Plasticity | Bulk ry Collapse Index | Density | Density | potential le 1 Hatter | silty Clay 7 19 17 41 Industri Estate 2. Eighteen | silty Clay 6 18 1.6 42 Islamabad 3. Pasni Clay 12 1.8 15 23 4. Sohawa | Sandysilty] 6 1.8 1.6 341 Clay Most of the structures are single or double stories, with one multi-story structure having more than ten stories. Almost all structures possess major cracks, not only in walls or beams but also in foundations due to moisture variation underneath the soil. ‘Sampling of Soil Fifteen samples from different locations were collected from Eighteen Islamabad using Hand Auger with a 6 ft depth for each sample. Samples were preserved in sampling bags (Disturbed) and shell by tube (Undisturbed) and transferred to the laboratory for further testing, 4262"4International Conference on Advances in Civil and Environmental Engineering (ICACEE-2023) University of Engineering & Technology Taxila, Pakistan Conference date: 22"and 23" February, 2023 Field Testing SPT was done in field to find N value Laboratory Testing Tests performed in the laboratory on samples collected from field were; grain size distribution (ASTM D422 and D4693), Atterburg’s limit (ASTM D 4318), Hydrometer analysis (ASTM D 1140), Specific Gravity (ASTM D 854), UCS, Single and Double Oedometer test (ASTM D5333- 03). RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Single Oedometer Test Collapse potential is measured by Oedometer (single and double) with ASTM D5333-03. On dimensional collapse is determined using this method. Sample no 5 was taken for this test. In this test, collapse potential is determined by changing moisture content. Initial moisture content is taken as 3 showing a collapse potential of 6.57, and final moisture content is taken as 17.5, showing 2.57 collapse potential, A graphical picture of the results is shown in Figure 2. —O-Single Oedometer 8 10 2 Moisture Content % Figure 18: Collapse Potential with Varying Moisture Content in Single Oedometer. Double Oedometer Test Collapse potential is also measured by a double Oedometer with ASTM D5333-03. Sample no 5 was taken for this test, In this test, collapse potential is determined by changing moisture content. Initial moisture content is taken as 3 showing a collapse potential of 8.93, and final moisture 4272"4International Conference on Advances in Civil and Environmental Engineering (ICACEE-2023) University of Engineering & Technology Taxila, Pakistan Conference date: 22"and 23" February, 2023 content is taken as 17.5, showing a 2.95 collapse potential, A graphical picture of the results is shown in Figure 3. —®-Double Oedometer Peer Percent Collapse (%) 8 10 2 Moisture Content % Figure 19: Collapse Potential with Varying Moisture Content in Double Oedometer. Comparison of Collapse index from single and double Oedometer Results from single and double Oedometer are shown in below Figure 4, Double Oedometer results shows higher value as compared with single Oedometer, but values from both lie in the ASTM range, —®-Single Oedometer ©-Double Oedometer 8 0 2 Moisture Content % Figure 20: Comparison of Results of Single and Double Oedometer 4282"4International Conference on Advances in Civil and Environmental Engineering (ICACEE-2023) University of Engineering & Technology Taxila, Pakistan Conference date: 22"and 23" February, 2023 Index Properties ‘Samples collected from ten locations were used to measure index properties. Sieve analysis shows fine particles in samples ranging from 70 to 81%. Liquid limit, Plastic limit, and Plasticity index ranges from 24.6 to 29.5, 17.9 to 20.7 and 6.1 to 9.9 respectively. Atterburg’s limit results are shown in ASTM range. Unified Soil Classification system shows soil ranges in between CL and CL-ML. Moisture content ranges from 6.1 to 8.3. Density, specific gravity, void ratio, and saturation values are shown in Table 2 Table 7: Index Properties Results sorsote | gavel [snd | snes | uw fru | mf uses |e fa” | os | mace | tutor {e/cm3) (eo) 7 [2 [| [os [ma [sa | a oo aes [ren | one | aes 2] | |v ase }ase] se] Ce [va] soem [ase] ossr | 2r 3 1 | 27 | 72 | 249] ass }ea| Oo | 77 | rear | 2652] 0636 | 32.215 a [oe fas [Pa [asa feos for a [ea | ava [oon | onze | soame = [2 [| 7 [7a [ee | a | o| sees | 2008 | ose | s0s07 © [oa par | [estar [ra | a fos [neem [2ere| ose | ance 7 [2 | | 7 [ei [a2 [se] a [es | sens | 200 | ono: | a6z00 3 |e | | = [2e|ies[os| a [73 | 1070 | ans] osm | saan 9 2 | 1 | 8 | 26] 179] 67] So | 64] 27238 | 2639 | 053 | a2921 10 1 | 24 | 75 | 253] 192] 62] Si | 79] 1.6627 | 2689 | o617 | 32426 Particle size distributions of samples are shown in Figure SA and SB. 4292"4International Conference on Advances in Civil and Environmental Engineering (ICACEE-2023) University of Engineering & Technology Taxila, Pakistan Conference date: 22"and 23" February, 2023 Particle Size Distribution Curves Figure 5B: Particle Size Distribution 4302"4International Conference on Advances in Civil and Environmental Engineering (ICACEE-2023) University of Engineering & Technology Taxila, Pakistan Conference date: 22"4and 23February, 2023 Comparison of collapse potential with index properties A comparison of collapse potential with specific gravity, liquid limit, and saturation are shown in Figures 6, 7, and 8 respectively. Collapse potential in all cases decreases due to variations in moisture content. Percent Collapse (%) 6 7 8 Specific Gravity Figure 22: Comparison of collapse potential with specific gravity 29500 254 249 284 IT M1 Wl WS 26 23 241 249 292 Liquid Limit Figure 23: Comparison of collapse potential with liquid limit 4312"4International Conference on Advances in Civil and Environmental Engineering (ICACEE-2023) University of Engineering & Technology Taxila, Pakistan Conference date: 22"4and 23February, 2023 340 a Initial saturation (So) Figure 24: Comparison of collapse potential with saturation CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS Detailed analysis was conducted for samples from ten locations of Eighteen Islamabad and results concluded that this location needs proper attention because this location possesses potential collapse soil. The potential of collapsible soil is average to high as per ASTM D533 standard. Although these soils have low moisture content and appear to be relatively hard, they will eventually settle due to their ability to collapse, which causes wall cracking in light load construction as well as cracks in foundations for high-rise structures. It is recommended that bearing capacity reduction factor against different moisture content should be developed in order to minimize settlement. ACKNOWLEDGMENT Under the direction of the Geotechnical Faculty at UET Taxila, Pakistan, I thoroughly enjoyed this research project, which enhanced my practical knowledge. I am thankful to all who help directly and indirectly in this research. 1. Coduto, D. P., Kite 2005. 3rd Edition. 2. Selley, R. C., Cocks, L. R. M. and Plimer, I. R, Encyclopedia of Geology. 2005. 3. Vandanapun, R., Laboratory simulation and finite element analysis of irrigation-induced settlements of built environment overlaying collapsible soil strata in United Arab Emirates. Kingston University London, 2019 4, ASTM D422. Standard Test Method for Particle-Size Analysis of Soils. 5. ASTM D 4318. Standard Test Methods for Liquid Limit, Plastic Limit and Plasticity Index of Soils. W.A. and Yeung, M. R., Foundation Design, Principles and Practices. 4322"International Conference on Advances in Civil and Environmental Engineering (ICACEE-2023) University of Engineering & Technology Taxila, Pakistan Conference date: 22"4and 23February, 2023 . ASTM D1140. Standard Test Methods for Determined the Amount of Material Finer than 75 um (No. 200) sieve in Soils by Washing. ASTM D854, Standard Test Methods for Specific Gravity of Soil Solids by Water Pycnometer. ASTM DS5333-03. Standard Test Method for Measurement of Collapse Potential of Soils.