Assessing the effect of sea shell powder on the swelling properties of expansive clay soils
Abstract
Expansive clay soils show high volumetric changes with changes in moisture content. During wet season, they expand and upon evaporation during the dry season, they shrink. Because of this alternate swelling and shrinkage, structures founded on them are prone to damage. In Uganda, the expansive clay soils are found especially in arid and semi-arid regions (northeast rn), eastern along the slopes of mountain Elgon some parts of northern Uganda and along the Albertine region. Due to the lack of experience pertinent to characterization and dealing with expansive clay soil, many defects appear in some structures established on theses soils. Density and severity of problems associated with the presence of these expansive soils may differ from one place to another depending on the soil type, soil engineering properties, foundation type, nature of development project, and them extension of development zone. In Uganda,tons of sea shells are produced annually across the country, this does not only poses the problem of disposal but also adds to environmental contamination and health risks. Therefore, utilization of such refuse and their subsidiary products as alternatives to construction materials may effectively contribute to environmental preservation and minimization of their adverse effects on the environment.In this research, laboratory tests were done soil sample gotten by blending breach sand from Ssese beach passing through 2mm sieve with bentonite. The tests targeted to assess volumetric change and moisture diffusion characteristics and index properties of the soil sample. The tests were done at sea shell (SS) and lime dosages of 0%,5%,10%, 15%, 20%,25% and 30%.Test results confirm that the shrink-swell characteristics of expansive clay soils can be reduced with treatment of the soil with Sea Shell powder