Investigation of the Strength Development in Tunisian Phosphogypsum-Stabilized Sensitive Clayey Soils: Assess of Geotechnical Properties and Environmental Impact

Authors

  • Hajer Farroukh Research laboratory Géoressouces, Matériaux, Environnement et Changements Globaux (LR13ES23) University of Sfax, Sfax 3000, Tunisia
  • Thameur Mnif Research laboratory Géoressouces, Matériaux, Environnement et Changements Globaux (LR13ES23) University of Sfax, Sfax 3000, Tunisia
  • Fekri Kamoun Research laboratory Géoressouces, Matériaux, Environnement et Changements Globaux (LR13ES23) University of Sfax, Sfax 3000, Tunisia
  • Lotfi Kamoun Department of research ,Tunisian Chemical Group , Sfax 3000, Tunisia
  • Feten Bennour Department of research ,Tunisian Chemical Group , Sfax 3000, Tunisia

Keywords:

CBR index, environment, phosphogypsum, Proctor test, road, sensitive clayey soils, stabilization.

Abstract

According to the previous works, the addition of Tunisian phosphogypsum and cement to the clayey soils is able to improve the geotechnical properties of these soils. This addition reduces the swelling problems by making the soil more resistant to water. The degree of success of such a treatment remains dependent on several parameters such as particle size, plasticity, and the chemical and mineralogical composition of soils and the dosage of hydraulic binders. The experimental approach adopted within the framework of this study was oriented towards the characterization of the behavior of three different soil samples in the presence of phosphogypsum and cement at different proportions. To observe this effect, some geotechnical tests were performed such as the Proctor test and the CBR test. The results have shown the improvement in the maximum dry unit weight and the optimum water content depends on the quality of the soil (% clay fraction). The CBR index was influenced by this addition taking into account the properties of the studied soils especially the mineralogical composition. Therefore, to confirm our results, an application of this technique was realized on a real scale.

This work proved the reliability of the addition of phosphogypsum and cement to a clay soil with well-defined characteristics. Knowing that the use of the phosphogypsum did not introduce any contamination at the lower layers, either by the heavy metals or by the radioactive elements. The stabilization of sensitive clayey soils with phosphogypsum and cement depends on the quality of the soil to be stabilized, the criteria of the phosphogypsum to be used and the appropriate dosage. 

References

[1] H. Tremblay. “Amélioration mécanique et prédiction de la compressibilité des sols fins du Québec.” PhD Thesis, University of LAVAL, Canada, 1998.
[2] N. Cabane. “Sols traités à la chaux et aux liants hydrauliques: Contribution à l’identification et à l’analyse des éléments perturbateurs de la stabilisation.” PhD Thesis, the National High School of mines of Saint-Etienne, France, 2004.
[3] H. Tayibi, C. Gascó, N. Navarro, A. López-Delgado1, M. Choura, F.J. Alguacil1, F.A. López. “Radiochemical Characterization of Phosphogypsum for Engineering Use.” Journal of Environment Protection, vol. 2, pp. 168-174, 2011.
[4] Agence nationale de protection de l’environnement (ANPE), “Etude sur la gestion durable du Phosphogypse en Tunisie.” Closing Report of MedPartnership Project, Tunisia, 2015.
[5] N. Degirmenci, A. Okucu, A. Turabi. “Application of phosphogypsum in soil stabilization.” Building and Environment, vol. 42, pp. 3393–98, 2007.
[6] M.R. Khelifa M.R. “Effet de l’attaque sulfatique externe sur la durabilité des bétons autoplaçants.” PhD Thesis, University of Constantine and University of Orléans, Algeria-France, 2009.
[7] H. Sfar Felfoul, P. Clastres, M. Benouezdou. “Gestion des sous-produits industriels et developpement durable: cas du phosphogypse de Sfax-Tunisie.” Sciences et technologie, vol. 23, pp. 66-81, 2005.
[8] CRR. “Code de bonne pratique pour le traitement des sols à la chaux et/ou aux liants hydrauliques.” Recommendations R81/10 of CRR, Kingdom of Belgium, 2004.
[9] CFTR. “Le traitement des sols.” Information Bulletin No. 6 of the French Committee for Road Technology, France, 2002.
[10] P. Paige-Green and S. Gerber. “An evaluation of the use of by-product phosphogypsum as a pavement material for roads,” presented at the South African Transport Conference — Action in Transport for the New Millennium, Pretoria, South Africa, 2000.
[11] LCPC/SETRA. “Conception et dimensionnement des structures des chaussées.” Technical Guide, France, 1994.

Downloads

Published

2017-03-22

How to Cite

Farroukh, H., Mnif, T., Kamoun, F., Kamoun, L., & Bennour, F. (2017). Investigation of the Strength Development in Tunisian Phosphogypsum-Stabilized Sensitive Clayey Soils: Assess of Geotechnical Properties and Environmental Impact. American Scientific Research Journal for Engineering, Technology, and Sciences, 29(1), 153–166. Retrieved from https://asrjetsjournal.org/index.php/American_Scientific_Journal/article/view/2787

Issue

Section

Articles