Effect of Sand Percentage on the Compaction Properties and Undrained Shear Strength of Low Plasticity Clay

Iyad  Alkroosh; Ali Al-Robay; Prabir  Sarker; Saif Alzabeebee

doi:10.14500/aro.10748

Iyad Alkroosh Department of Civil Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Al-Qadisiyah, Al-Qadisiyah, Iraq
Ali Al-Robay Department of Civil Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Al-Qadisiyah, Al-Qadisiyah, Iraq https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3123-7046
Prabir Sarker School of Civil and Mechanical Engineering, Curtin University, WA, Australia https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5014-7444
Saif Alzabeebee Department of Roads and Transport Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Al-Qadisiyah, Al-Qadisiyah, Iraq http://orcid.org/0000-0001-9685-5641

Keywords: clay sand mixture, low plasticity, optimum moisture content, undrained shear strength

Abstract

This paper investigates the influence of sand content on the mechanical behavior of a low plasticity clay that collected from south of Iraq (Sumer town). Samples have been prepared with sand contents of 0%, 10%, 20%, 30%, and 40% of the clay weight. Standard Proctor and unconfined compression tests have been carried out and the optimum moisture content, maximum dry density, and undrained shear strength have been determined. The results show a gradual increasing trend of the maximum dry density with the increase of the sand content up to 30%. The highest dry density reaches 1.90 g/cm³corresponding to an optimum moisture content of 12%. In addition, this paper shows that the undrained shear strength is inversely proportional to the increase of the percentage of sand. The results of this work provide a useful addition to the literature regarding the behaviour or low plasticity clay-sand mixture.

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Author Biographies

Iyad Alkroosh, Department of Civil Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Al-Qadisiyah, Al-Qadisiyah, Iraq

Iyad Alkroosh is an Associate Professor at the Department of Civil Engineering, college of engineering, University of Al-Qadisiyah. He got his B.Sc. degree in Building and Construction from University of Technology, Baghdad, the M.Sc. degree in engineering management and the Ph.D. degree in geotechnical engineering from Curtin university WA, Australia. His research interest in geotechnical engineering, artificial intelligence, reinforced concrete, project management. He is a member of Engineers Australia.

Ali Al-Robay, Department of Civil Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Al-Qadisiyah, Al-Qadisiyah, Iraq

Ali Al-Robay is an Assistant Professor in Civil Engineering at the Department of Civil Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Al-Qadisiyah. He got the B.Sc. degree in Civil Engineering, M.Sc. degree in Geotechnical Engineering and Ph.D. degree in Geotechnical Engineering. His research interests are related to geotechnical and civil engineering. Dr. Al-Robay is a member of the Iraqi Engineers Union.

Prabir Sarker, School of Civil and Mechanical Engineering, Curtin University, WA, Australia

Prabir Sarker is an Associate Professor of Civil Engineering in the School of Civil & Mechanical Engineering at Curtin University, Western Australia. His research interests include construction materials and sustainable use of by-products in construction. He is a Chartered Professional Engineer and Fellow of the Institute of Engineers Australia.

Saif Alzabeebee, Department of Roads and Transport Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Al-Qadisiyah, Al-Qadisiyah, Iraq

Saif Alzabeebee is a Lecturer in Civil Engineering at the Department of Roads and Transport Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Al-Qadisiyah. He got the B.Sc. degree in Civil Engineering, M.Sc. degree in Geotechnical Engineering and Ph.D. degree in Infrastructure Engineering. His research interests are related to buried infrastructures, soil-structure interaction and application of artificial intelligence in civil engineering. Dr. Alzabeebee is a member of Iraqi Scientific Society of Soil Mechanics and Foundation Engineering.

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