Stabilization of Al-Aziziyah (Eastern Saudi Arabia)

Sabkha Soil

Hamad I. Al-Abdul Wahhab*, Imtiaz Ahmad, Saad A. Aiban and Omar S. Baghabra Al-Amoudi

Department of Civil Engineering, King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals, Dhahran 31261, Saudi Arabia

Third Gulf Conference on Roads (TGCR06), March 6-8, 2006 197-203

Abstract:

Sabkha soils are well-known for their low density and strength in their natural state. They are highly prevalent in the Arabian Peninsula and in many other parts in the world. The literature reveals that these soils are associated with many engineering problems due to their low "undisturbed" strength, high salt content, high compressibility and the shallow groundwater table. This research program was launched to assess the performance of Al-Aziziyah sabkha with different stabilizers. Samples were compacted with different stabilizer types and dosages at varying moisture contents and tested for compaction, CBR, Clegg impact value and unconfined compressive strength. The experimental results show that cement addition to the soil produced good results, while lime and emulsion could not produce significant improvement in strength. The 7% cement was the optimum amount for the stabilization of this soil and satisfied the requirements of both strength and durability.

Keywords: Al-Aziziyah sabkha, Stabilization, Cement, Lime, Emulsified Asphalt