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Go to Editorial ManagerThis study explores the impact of adding high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and Novolac polymers to gypseous soil from Tikrit City, Iraq, to enhance its geotechnical properties. The soil contained 38% gypsum, and the polymers were added in varying proportions (1%, 3%, 6%). Both polymers improved maximum dry density, optimum moisture content, and reduced collapse potential (Ic). The collapse potential was reduced by 64%, 77.7%, and 83.2% at 1%, 3%, and 6% HDPE content, respectively. The collapse potential was reduced by 82.3%, 74.8%, and 51.9% at 1%, 3%, and 6% Novolac polymer content, respectively. In the dry conditions, the internal friction angle increased by about 22.9% and 5.7% as the HDPE content was increased by 3% and 6% respectively. Adding Novolac polymer also increased the internal friction angle by about 5.7% by the addition of 3% Novolac polymer. In soaked conditions, the best increase in internal friction angle (?) was 30% with the addition of 3% HDPE polymer. the internal friction angle increased by about 26.7% by adding 1% and 3% of Novolac polymer. The study concludes that adding HDPE and Novolac polymers can improve geotechnical properties, but their effect on CBR is complex and depends on the polymer percentage added and soil moisture state.
Gypsum soil is classified as problematic because it contains gypsum, a soluble substance in the presence of water. Therefore, it is recommended that it be improved before construction. This research examines the effect of clayey soils on enhancing the properties of gypseous soils. Two soil samples, designated as Soil 1 (with a gypsum concentration of 35.4%) and Soil 2 (with a gypsum content of 12.3%), were obtained from Al Najaf City, Iraq, and subjected to laboratory testing. The study investigates the use of cost-effective, locally available clayey soil to improve the engineering characteristics of gypseous soils, thereby mitigating the adverse effects of wetting. The experimental program encompassed a compaction, compressibility, and shear strength test. To assess the impact of clayey additives, gypseous soil was treated with varying percentages of clayey soil content (5% and 10%), and tests were conducted on both treated and untreated gypseous soil samples. The results indicated that using 10% clayey additives could decrease the collapse potential by 55% and 39% for Soil 1 and Soil 2, respectively. Additionally, the clayey additives significantly affected cohesion, with an enhancement percentage of 625% and 1315% under soaking conditions at 10% clayey additives for Soil 1 and Soil 2, respectively.