The Effect Atterberg Limits on Expansive Soils by Adding Construction Waste Powder

Abstract

This study aims to determine the effect of Atterberg limits on expansive soils through the addition of construction waste powder by taking soil samples from the Beit Thamer area east of Al-Qubbah in Libya at a depth of 1.5 meters from the ground surface. Atterberg limit tests were conducted before and after adding building waste powder at ratios of 25%, 50%, and 75% of the soil weight. Atterberg limit tests were conducted before and after adding construction waste powder in proportions of 25%, 50%, and 75% of the weight of dry soil. The results obtained from the laboratory tests showed that the soil’s liquid limit decreases, indicating that the soil's swelling potential also decreases with an increased percentage of construction waste powder added to the soil. The results for the study soil without additives were 104, 102, 108, and 68.9 for D, C, B, and A, respectively. After adding construction waste powder to the soil at 75% of the soil weight, the results were (67.2, 68.9, 62.9, 48.9) for (D, C, B, A), respectively. Due to the improvement in the liquid limit values, this makes the soil more stable and workable. Furthermore, using waste powder helps in disposing of waste generated from buildings.