Treatment and improvement of clay soils by adding waste rubber in arid regions

Abstract

Introduction/purpose: This study examines the effect of waste rubber granules on the geotechnical properties of clay soils in arid regions. The findings are of practical relevance to construction, foundation engineering, and environmental sustainability, as the incorporation of recycled rubber can enhance soil performance while mitigating ecological impacts. Methods: To evaluate this potential, a series of laboratory experiments was conducted on clay samples blended with varying proportions of waste rubber granules (0%, 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, and 25%). The mixture samples were prepared in arid area conditions. To ensure a more uniform distribution of particles in the mixtures, the selected samples with varying compositions were subjected to a hydraulic device. Results: The results demonstrate a clear trend of decreasing liquid limit, swell potential, and swelling pressure as the rubber granules content increases. The cohesion improves with the incorporation of rubber granules. The stress-strain curves obtained from unconfined compressive strength (UCS) tests indicated that the addition of rubber granules enhanced the UCS of the soil. Conclusion: These results emphasize the positive impact of waste rubber granules in enhancing the mechanical properties of the specimens. The incorporation of rubber granules significantly alters the physical structure of clay soil and helps mitigate both swelling potential and compaction. The pressure, recompression indices, and unconfined compressive strength (UCS) of the samples rise proportionally with the increase in rubber content, contrary to the fact that cohesion decreases as the proportion of waste tire rubber increases.