Journal of Engineering Science and Technology

Vol. 18, No. 1 (2023) 167 - 186

© School of Engineering, Taylor’s University

EFFECT OF LIME TREATMENT ON

SWELLING AND SOME GEOTECHNICAL PROPERTIES
OF AN EXPANSIVE SOIL FROM MOSUL CITY

IBRAHIM M. ALKIKI1,
ZUHEIR KARABASH1,*, ABDULRAHMAN ALDAOOD2
1University of Mosul, 41002, College of Engineering, Department of Dams &Water
Resources Engineering, Mosul, Iraq
2University of Mosul, 41002, College of Engineering, Department of Civil Engineering,

Mosul, Iraq
*Corresponding Author: [email protected]

Abstract
The cyclic swell and shrinkage behaviors of expansive soils due to environmental
changes result in several structural problems. This study investigates the behavior
of expansive soil under wetting-drying cycles for natural and lime-stabilized
specimens. An experimental program was directed to evaluate the swelling
potential, cyclic swell percent under wetting-drying conditions, wave velocity,
pH, electrical conductivity, unconfined compressive strength, and soil-water
characteristics curve for natural and lime treated expansive clay specimens. Soil
specimens were treated with 4% lime and cured under 40 0C for different curing
periods extended to 56 days. The results showed that lime addition causes a
significant reduction in free swell potential. In addition, swelling percentages
decrease markedly for specimens stabilized by lime and they were related to
curing periods. swelling potential increases significantly at the end of the first
cycle of wetting-drying, the amount of swelling increases in natural clay
specimens is 5.75% and they are 0.8%, 0.6%, 0.16% for lime-treated specimens
curried for 2, 7, 14 days, respectively. Furthermore, it was noted that after the
first cycle, the highest reduction in free swell potential occurs, especially for the
natural soil specimens. Unconfined compressive strength and wave velocity
values of lime-treated soil specimens increased significantly with curing times,
due to the cementing materials produced from the pozzolanic reaction. Electrical
conductivity and pH values of lime stabilized soil specimens decreased rapidly
during the first 7 days of curing, then decreased gradually. Increases in
volumetric water content with curing periods were observed.
Keywords: Expansive clay, Lime stabilization, Swelling, Wetting-drying.

167
168 I. M. Alkiki et al.

1. Introduction
The swelling of expansive soils considers one of the special problems that civil
engineers are faced. This type of soil is widely distributed in many countries around
the world. Expansive soils exhibit volume change due to their swelling and
shrinkage responses resulting in many structural problems and damage hazards;
especially, in infrastructures such as railways, motorways, and highways. On the
other hand, expansive clay soils in nature under cyclic volume change (swelling
and shrinkage) due to the change in the water content, this phenomenon has a
significant effect on the expansive soil properties. In addition, the cyclic volume
change leads to foundation movements and may result in cracking and structural
damage. Several researchers investigated the influence of cyclic swelling and cyclic
wetting-drying on the characteristics of expansive soils [1-7]. Some of them
concluded that the swelling potential of expansive soils decreases with subjected
cycles of wetting and drying [1, 3, 4, 7]. On the other hand, few of researches
showed that the cycles of wetting-drying increase the swelling potentials of
expansive clays [8,9].
Expansive soils were classified as problematic soils that have an adverse
response and high swelling potential results in low bearing capacity and shear
strength, especially in a saturated state. Therefore, geotechnical engineers directed
their research to improve shear strength and mitigate the swelling amounts of the
expansive clay to control the volume change and foundation movements. The
improvements techniques are usually mechanical, chemical, and techniques were
combined with both previous methods. In general, chemical stabilizations by
cementing agents, such as cement, fly ash, lime, and salts were widely used in soil
treatments [10-19]. Lime stabilization has been one of the important techniques for
clayey soil stabilization. However, some researchers have focused their studies on
the effect of lime on the swelling characteristics of expansive clays [20-23]. For
example, Hamza [23] concluded that the addition of 5% lime decreases the
plasticity and swelling potential of expansive soils. Bell [12] also indicated that
mixing of the lime corresponding to optimum percentage with expansive soil,
decreases the swelling percentages and he reported that further addition of lime
does not change the swelling potentials while increasing the engineering properties
of expansive soil.
The treatment of clayey soils with lime in the humid medium result in several
reactions that make changes in soil properties [24]. Some of these reactions are
short-term reactions and others are long-term reactions. The short-term reactions
include cation exchange and flocculation. The chemical reaction that includes an
exchange of similar cations is called cation exchange [11, 12, 25]. As mentioned
by Mitchell and Soga [26], lime and water addition to clayey soil increase
immediately pH values to 12.4 which results in the dissolution of alumina and
silica. The exchangeable ions that are available around clay minerals like Na+ and
K+ displace Ca++ ions, in which Ca++ has resulted from the dissolution of lime in
water. The flocculation process occurs due to an increase in the concentration of
Ca++ ions around the clay particles which led to form of a floc.
In addition, this process made the clay particles to agglomerate. Short-term
reactions modify soil properties by decreasing plasticity and increasing soil
workability [27-30]. Long-term reactions include carbonation and pozzolanic
reaction; due to lime addition to clayey soil in the presence of water, a highly

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alkaline environment was generated. Then, the alumina and silica from the clay
minerals react with calcium from lime. This reaction produces cementing material
in the form of calcium silicates or calcium aluminates (calcium aluminosilicate
hydrates, CASH; calcium aluminate hydrates, CAH; and calcium silicate hydrates,
CSH), this reaction provides bonds between clay particles [11, 12, 27, 31].
The pozzolanic reaction is time-dependent and contributes to strength increases
with time. In general, cementation results from lime stabilization processes,
increase shear strength, reduce permeability, decrease swelling potentials, and
modify the water retention ability of clayey soils [12, 20, 32]. The percentage of
lime used for soil treatments depends on the type of treatments if its modification
or stabilization. Therefore, some researchers suggested the amount of lime needs
for lime modification is between 1% to 3%, while others found the optimum lime
content for stabilization between 2%-8% [11, 12, 33].
The effect of lime stabilization considering curing periods and temperature on the
physic-chemical and geotechnical properties of clay was studied by [30, 34]. For
example, Boardman et al, [30] performed several tests for clay and lime mixtures
cured in different periods ranging between 7 to 301 days. The curing process was
conducted in a closed area and under 11.50° C temperature. They concluded that a
curing period lower than 7 days did not result in significant cementation from the
pozzolanic reaction, except for some short-term modifications that occur in clay
properties. Bell [34] illustrated that the use of higher curing temperature made
accretion in the curing process and increase the strength. While, delays in the soil
modification occur when the curing process was conducted at a lower temperature.
This paper will direct the program of the experimental work to investigate the
effect of wetting-drying cycles on the swelling potential of natural and lime treated
expansive clay samples, which is the primary purpose of this study. On the other
hand, secondary experimental studies were aimed to study the effect of the lime
addition and curing time on unconfined compression strength, shear wave velocity
through specimens, pH value, electrical conductivity, and water-retention behavior
of the stabilized soil specimens.

2. Materials and Experimental Methods

2.1. Materials
Soil: The type of soil used during the experimental work was clay. Clay samples
were quarried from the Al-Sedeeq region, Mosul city, Iraq. Clay samples were
obtained from a depth varying between (0.5-1.0 m) under the ground surface.
According to the grain size analyses of the clay (sieve analysis and hydrometer test).
The grain size distribution curve for natural soil was presented in Fig. 1. Some index,
chemical, and physical properties of natural clay were illustrated in Table 1. The clay
soil was classified as high plasticity clay (CH) according to the unified soil
classification system (USCS) based on the results of the grain size analyses and
Atterberg limits values.
Lime: Hydrated lime was used as a stabilizing agent to treat clay soil in all tests
during the laboratory work. The lime was obtained from Meshrag Sulphur factory,
Mosul, Iraq. The lime powder was sieved through # 40 sieve, which has a 0.425
mm opening. The activity of hydrated lime was found to be 74%. Table 2 shows
the chemical compositions of hydrated lime.

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170 I. M. Alkiki et al.

Fig. 1. Grain size distribution of natural soil.

Table 1. Index, chemical, and physical properties of natural soil.

Properties Values
Liquid Limit (%) 86
Plastic Limit (%) 32
Plasticity Index (%) 54
Linear Shrinkage (LS) (%) 20
Total Soluble salts (%) 2.97
Gypsum (%) 1.39
Electrical Conductivity (mS/cm) 1.2
pH 7.97
Specific Gravity 2.75
CEC* (meq/100 gm of soil) 33
Activity (%) 1.1
Sand (%) 5
Silt (%) 46
Clay (%) 49
(USCS) Classification, Soil symbol CH
Soil name Fat Clay
*CEC is cation exchange capacity

Table 2. Lime properties and chemical compositions.

Composition L.O.S* H2O SiO2 MgO Ca(OH)2 CaO CaCO3 AL2O3 Fe2O3
Lime 1.09 0.07 8.41 4.3 74.0 6.5 5.4 0.2 0.03
*Loss of Ignition

2.2. Experimental work and testing apparatus

A series of mechanical, physical, and free swell tests were conducted in a soil
mechanics laboratory on natural and lime stabilized expensive soils, these tests were
directed to estimate some geotechnical properties and the effect of the wetting-drying

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Effect of Lime Treatment on Swelling and Some Geotechnical Properties . . . . 171

cycles (WDC) on the swelling potential of the natural and lime stabilized expansive
soil specimens.

2.2.1. Sample preparation, pH value test.

Stabilized soil specimens were treated with 4% of lime which is corresponding to
optimum lime percentages for this type of soil. This percentage was selected
according to the pH value method that will discuss in detail in sections of results and
analysis. The optimum lime percentage was obtained according to the method
suggested by Eades and Grim and was recorded in ASTM (D6276) [35, 36]. At the
beginning of the testing program, the soil specimen was prepared by drying it in a 60
0
C oven for two days. The soil specimens were sieved using a 4.75 mm opening sieve.
to obtain the compaction characteristics of the natural and lime stabilized soil, lime
and clayey soil samples were mixed thoroughly in the dry state until the mixture
become homogenous. Then, the required amount of the water was added to the
mixture (water content equal to 5% of the dry weight), and thoroughly mixing is
essential for better and uniform distribution of the water. The processes were repeated
for samples with different water content (10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 % of the dry weight).
Wet mixture samples were kept inside plastic bags for 24 hours for natural clay
samples and 1 hour for lime stabilized clay samples as a mellowing period. Then,
homogenous samples were placed inside compaction mold and compacted under
standard compaction effort based on (ASTM D-698) [37] procedure.

2.2.2. Unconfined compressive strength and shear wave velocity tests

In order to obtain the shear strength response of the natural and lime stabilized clay
and to correlate it with the shear wave velocity, unconfined compression test, and
ultrasonic wave velocity test was conducted. Cylindrical samples having 50 mm
diameter and 100 mm height were prepared using a specially designed mold. Samples
of the natural and lime stabilized clay soil were compacted inside the mold using
static compaction effort; the compaction effort was applied at the rate of 1mm/min.
Soil samples were compacted in water content and dry density corresponding to
maximum dry density and optimum moisture content.
Stabilized soil samples were kept in a closed medium by wrapping them with
cling film and coating them with a thin layer of paraffin wax to eliminate the moisture
loss. Stabilized soil specimens were cured for 2, 7, 14, 28, and 56 days at 40 °C
temperatures (The temperature was selected at 40 °C due to this temperature is the
maximum value before the wax melts to keep the specimens in a close medium). At
least three trials were performed for each stabilization percent for repeatability
checks. All soil samples were first tested to obtain the wave velocity and then tested
in an unconfined compression machine based on the method recorded in (ASTM D-
5102) [38].
The ultrasonic wave tests were conducted using a PUNDIT device under a
frequency of 50 kHz. The direct transmission method was performed for measuring
the wave velocity through soil specimens which is more sensitive than other methods
[39]. Wave velocity was estimated from the travel distance and travel period of the
wave. Then, specimens were tested in the unconfined compression device. The
stabilized specimens were tested to obtain the electrical conductivity and their
variations with the curing times. A small part of failed unconfined compression
specimens was taken to determine the electrical conductivity (EC) of specimens.

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2.2.3. Swelling test

The primary objective of this paper is to determine the free swell potential of natural
and lime-stabilized clay and to study the influence of the wetting-drying cycles on
the swelling potential in the two cases. Free swell tests were performed according to
the procedure recorded in the ASTM standard (D-4546) [40]. A standard one-
dimensional Oedometer device was used for swelling tests. Soil samples for natural
and stabilized clay were statically compacted inside a rigid stainless-steel ring. In the
beginning, samples of natural clay and samples of clay with lime were mixed with
water in percentages corresponding to optimum moisture content (OMC) and
thoroughly mixed until getting a homogenous mixture. Then, soil samples were
pressed until the unit weight corresponds to Max. dry unit weight at a strain rate of 1
mm/min. The rings have a 63.5 mm diameter and 19 mm height. In addition, swelling
test specimens of lime stabilized clay were cured in different curing periods (2, 7, 14,
28, and 56 days) in a closed area under a temperature of 40 °C. Specimens of natural
clay were tested directly after their preparation, while the specimens of the lime
stabilized clay was tested when curing times were completed.
Soil specimens were placed between two dried porous stones inside the
Oedometer cell; then dial gauge was assembled on the top cap of the cell for vertical
displacement measurement during the test. A contact pressure equals to (6.9 kPa,
which is equivalent to the standard load of 1 Psi), was applied and then the initial
reading was recorded. After that, the specimen was submerged with water and
allowed to swell. The dial gauge readings were continuously recorded. The process
was stopped, and the final reading was recorded when the specimen swelling was
completed. In this study, the swelling period was fixed in 24 hours. The free swell
potential of the specimens was estimated as (swell potential = ΔH/H *100, where ΔH
is the vertical displacement and H is the initial height of the soil specimen).
The second part of the swelling tests was conducted on natural, and lime stabilized
specimens (4% lime) after exposition to wetting-drying cycles. At the end of the
curing periods (2, 7, 14, 28, and 56 days), the specimens were subjected to cycles of
wetting-drying, this process was performed inside the oedometer cell. The number of
wetting-drying cycles was five for natural and lime stabilized specimens. The wetting
process consists of submerging the specimen for about 24 hours inside the cell, then
the specimens were dried gradually at room temperature for 1 hour and then dried for
24 hours inside 60°C ovens. The specimens were dried gradually to save them from
any damage. According to ASTM (D559) the wetting-drying cycle is completed
within 48 hours.

2.2.4. Suction measurement

The effect of curing time of stabilization on soil water characteristics curve (SWCC)
was investigated during the experimental work. In general, soil suction can be
determined using a direct method or indirect method for SWCC construction. In this
study, an indirect method was selected. This method includes three methods for a
suction range of 0 to 1000000 kPa. These methods include tensiometric plates, vapor
equilibrium technique, and osmotic membrane. Soil samples of natural clay and lime
stabilized clay were compacted at dry density and moisture content correspond to
maximum dry density and optimum moisture content, respectively. Then the
compacted samples were cut and trimmed into pieces until they were 1 cm in

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Effect of Lime Treatment on Swelling and Some Geotechnical Properties . . . . 173

thickness. The pieces of stabilized clay specimens were kept for 7, 14, 28, and 56
days as a curing time and then tested for SWCC generation.
The first part of SWCC was measured using tensiometric plates method that
covers a suction range of 10 to 20 kPa. The suction value of the soil specimen for this
part was determined by calibrating the water column level in equilibrium with the air
level inside the ceramic disk; the time required for each soil specimen to reach
equilibrium was 21 days. Suction values in soil specimens are determined directly as
a function of water height (for example 10 kPa suction amount has corresponded to
1 m water level in the column) [41]. While the suction range of 100 kPa and 1500
kPa (second part of SWCC) was estimated by the osmotic membrane method.
In this method, a soil specimen was covered by a semi-permeable membrane;
after that, the soil specimen that was covered by a membrane was submerged in a
solution of polyethylene glycol (PEG) with different concentrations for various
values of suction determination (ranging between 100 to 1500 kPa). In this step, the
time required for soil specimens to reach equilibrium was 28 days. The vapor
equilibrium technique was followed in the determination of the high suction ranges
of SWCC. In this method, the relative humidity in the airspace above a salt solution
is determined. Therefore, chemical compositions unique and their concentration are
important during this step. Then soil specimens were placed inside a closed medium
(desiccator) and the chemical solution was calibrated with the correct target relative
humidity. During this step, this solution will absorb or produce water vapor in the
airspace until the system come to equilibrium.
The total suction using Kelvin’s formula was calculated when the relative
humidity was in equilibrium within the airspace. After that and during approximately
50 days, suction equilibrium was reached inside the closed medium due to soil
specimens-moisture absorption and desorption. Finally, all previous methods and
procedures were performed at room temperature (250 C) and under null pressure.

3. Results and Discussion

The results of this study are divided into two parts; the first part presents results
related to the effect of the lime addition and wetting-drying cycles on the swelling
properties of the expansive soils, which are the primary objectives of this work.
The second part presents the results related to other geotechnical properties of
expansive clay soil with lime and curing time, which are the secondary objectives
of this research.

3.1. Estimation of lime stabilization percent using pH method

The optimum percentage of lime that was used to mitigate swelling potential and
improve the shear strength response of expansive soil has been obtained according
to [35-36]. Fig. 2 presents the variation of pH values with the lime content. It is
clearly observed from the figure that pH values increase with the lime content and
become in equilibrium as the lime percentage achieves 4%. Therefore, this amount
of lime was taken as a stabilization percentage for the soil under study.
The changes in pH values with the curing period of stabilized specimens are
presented in Fig. 3. It is clearly observed that there are significant reductions in the
pH values as curing time increases until 14 days. After that, pH values gradually
decrease and become in equilibrium with the curing period. The reason for this

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174 I. M. Alkiki et al.

behavior might be the lime consumption during cation exchange and pozzolanic
reactions [30]. Similar results were obtained by Aldaood et al. [42] and they
justified this behavior to the reaction between the lime and soil during the curing
time which produces a new form of hydrated silicates.

Fig. 2. pH values variation versus lime content.

Fig. 3. Variation of pH values of stabilized specimens with curing period.

3.2. Electrical conductivity of stabilized clay specimens

The stabilized specimens were tested to evaluate the electrical conductivity and
their variations with the curing times, in order to get a better observation of
stabilized specimens. The addition of the lime increased the electrical conductivity
from 1.2 to 8.82 and 9.66 mS/cm for stabilized specimens as lime content increased
to 4 and 6 percent, respectively (see Fig. 4). The reason for this behavior might be
the increase in the amount of calcium ions (Ca++) and hydroxyl ions (OH-) during
lime addition. Also, it was noted that the electrical conductivity decreases

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Effect of Lime Treatment on Swelling and Some Geotechnical Properties . . . . 175

significantly as the curing time increase until 7 days curing period. While at higher
curing periods the variation becomes gradually, and the electrical conductivity is
near equilibrium with the curing time as shown in Fig. 5. This response can be
attributed to the concentration of the exchangeable cations and lime-clay reactions
which produce ettringite, which was affected by pozzolanic reaction continuity
with time [42].

Fig. 4. Electrical conductivity variation with lime content.

Fig. 5. Electrical conductivity variation

with curing time of stabilized specimens.

3.3. Swelling potential variation with WDC

The variations of the swelling percentages versus elapsed time for specimens
subjected to different wetting-drying cycles (WDC) are presented in Fig. 6. The
swelling amount increased by about 5.75% during the first cycle. While the range of
the increase in the swelling percentages becomes gradually lower as the wetting-

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176 I. M. Alkiki et al.

drying cycles increase. The swelling amount with the cycle number will be in
equilibrium and close to the swelling percentages of clay specimens without wetting-
drying cycles. The reason for this behavior might be the reduction in pore voids
during the wetting-drying cycles which reduce the ability of soil particles to suck
more water in the next cycles [43]. Also, the generation of the cracks as the wetting-
drying cycles increase mitigates the swelling ability of the specimens. This finding
is similar to the result obtained by Chu [44], in which swelling percentages increased
with the wetting-drying cycles. On the other hand, Estabragh et al. [22] concluded in
their study that the swelling amount decrease as the cycles of wetting-drying increase.

Fig. 6. Swelling percentages vs elapse time for

several wetting-drying cycles (WDC) of natural clay.

Variations of swelling amount versus elapsed time for different WDC of natural
and lime stabilized specimens for different curing periods were presented in Figs. 7-
9. Lime-treated specimens were curried for different curing periods. In general,
swelling potential decrease as the soil stabilized with lime, this response is related to
the curing periods, the swelling pressure decreases as the curing period increases.
Also, welling percentages for natural clayey soil and lime-treated soil specimens
increase as the elapsed time increases. swelling percentages for untreated soils
increase rapidly with elapsed time and become in the balance after approximately 100
minutes as presented in Fig. 6. While in the cases of treated specimens swelling
percentages increase gradually and become in balance with time after 200-300
minutes (see figs. 7-9). The reason for this behavior is that the pozzolanic reaction of
the lime produces cementing materials (calcite and calcium-silicate-hydrate “CSH”)
that make bonds between soil particles from one hand, Also, cementing materials gel
that results from lime reactions covers soil particles and eliminates the water attach
to these particles from other hands. These processes slow down the time of the
swelling potential of the clay particles.

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Fig. 7. Swelling percentages vs elapse time for several wetting-

drying cycles (WDC) of stabilized clay and curried for 2 days (DC).

Fig. 8. Swelling percentages vs elapse time for several wetting-

drying cycles (WDC) of stabilized clay and curried for 7 days (DC).

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178 I. M. Alkiki et al.

Fig. 9. Swelling percentages vs elapse time for several wetting-

drying cycles (WDC) of stabilized clay and curried for 14 days (DC).

Variations of the swelling potential of natural clay and lime-treated specimens

with the wetting-drying cycles are illustrated in Fig. 10. In general, swelling potential
increases significantly during the first wetting-drying cycles, the amount of these
increases is 5.75% for natural clay specimens and about 0.8%, 0.6%, 0.16%, and
negligible value for lime treated values curried for 2, 7, 14, 28, 56 days, respectively
(see Figs. 6-10). This behavior may be attributed to the reduction in voids volume of
the specimen after the first wetting-drying cycle. While, after the first WDC, the
swelling amount decreases gradually as the number of cycles increases. In addition,
the figures show that amount of the swelling percent decrease significantly as the
curing periods increase, this behavior might be due to the amount of the cementing
material increasing with time. Also, cementing bonds resulting from lime reactions
become stronger as the curing period increase. Similar results were obtained by Al-
Daood [39]. This interpretation was supported by the results of the XRD analyses for
a natural and lime-treated specimen for different curing periods, see Fig. 11. The
amount of the calcite and CSH increase significantly in a treated specimen and
especially in specimens that were cured for long curing periods.

Fig. 10. Swelling potential variation with the

wetting-drying cycles for different curing times.

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 Effect of Lime Treatment on Swelling and Some Geotechnical Properties . . . . 179

Intensity (counts/s)
Intensity (counts/s)

2θ (degree) 2θ (degree)

(a) Natural clay sample, no curing. (b) Clay+lime sample, 7 days curing.
Intensity (counts/s)

Intensity (counts/s)

2θ (degree) 2θ (degree)
(c) Clay+lime sample, 14 days curing. (d) Clay+lime sample, 28 days curing.
Intensity (counts/s)

2θ (degree)
(e) Clay+lime sample, 56 days curing.
Fig. 11. XRD patterns of lime stabilized
samples cured during different periods.

Figure 12 presents photos of specimens after tests. It is clearly observed that there
is significant crack propagation in the natural soil specimens, while there are no
cracks or micro-cracks shown in treated specimens for all curing periods. During
drying cycles, cracks were resulted along weak planes within soil mass due to internal
stresses, soil volume change, and mass decreases. During wetting, the specimen
volume increases, the cracks are closed, and the swell was occurred [45].
Furthermore, soil structure collapse was resulted due to these cracks and especially
at the initial stages of the wetting; this process closed the cracks and decrease soil
volume. This problem was treated using lime stabilization that produces cementing
material (calcite and calcium-silicate-hydrate “CSH”) [39]. The cementing material
covers soil particles and makes bonds between them as can be seen using microscopic
analyses for the treated samples (See Fig. 13).

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Fig. 12. Photos of the swelling samples for several curing periods.

(a) Natural soil. (b) Clay+lime, 7 days curing.

(c) Clay+lime, 14 days curing. (d) Clay+lime, 28 days curing.

(e) Clay+lime, 56 days curing.

Fig. 13. Scanning electron microscopy pictures of lime
stabilized clay samples for several curing periods.

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3.4. Unconfined compressive strength and wave velocity of stabilized

specimens
A series of unconfined compression tests and ultrasonic wave velocity tests were
conducted for stabilized specimens with 4% lime, in order to get a better
observation of the improvements in the strength response of soil specimens. These
improvements have resulted from modifications in soil structure in which
cementing materials make bonding between soil particles which mitigates soil
swelling potential. The improvement in the unconfined compressive strength of the
stabilized specimens with the curing period is presented in Fig. 14. It is observed
from the analysis of this figure, that a significant increase in unconfined
compressive strength as specimens cured for a long time until 14 days. Furthermore,
the rate of increase in unconfined compressive strength becomes gradually and near
to equilibrium. During high curing periods, it can be observed that unconfined
compressive strength reaches 8.5 times the strength of natural clay specimens.
Moreover, it is observed that the strength of the specimens was duplicated as the
curing period increased from 2 to 56 days. This behavior may be due to an increase
in the cementing material resulting from the pozzolanic reaction on one hand, in
which the percentages of calcium silicate hydrate and calcium aluminate increase
in the mixture of soil and lime. The strength of the cementing material itself
improved and produces better bonding among soil particles on the other hand.
Similar results were obtained by Calik and Sadoglu [17].

Fig. 14. Unconfined compressive strength variation versus curing times.

The wave velocity tests were conducted corresponding to unconfined

compression tests. Fig. 15 presents the variation of wave velocity versus curing
time for the stabilized specimens. In general, there is a pronounced increase in the
wave velocity through specimens until 7 days. After that, the rate of increase in the
velocity becomes gradually at times close to 56 days. Actually, the same trends
were observed in the variation of the unconfined compression strength with curing
time, Therefore, the same reasons may be result in these behaviors as mentioned
above, the pozzolanic reaction produces cementing material that makes bonds

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182 I. M. Alkiki et al.

between soil grains. Better contact between soil grains and low voids resulted due
to an increase in the amount of cementing material, which may facilitate wave
propagation through stabilized specimens. Similar results were obtained by
Yesiller et al. [39, 46]. They recorded that increases in the wave propagation
through specimens with curing time are due to an increase in both specimen
stiffness and cementing agent stiffness itself. Fig. 16 illustrates the correlation
between the unconfined compressive strength and wave velocity. In general, wave
propagation velocity increases as the strength become higher. In addition, it was
clearly observed that there is a high-quality linear curve fit between them (with R2
value of 0.99). However, a very small scatter in the relation has appeared, this might
have resulted from the homogenizing process of soil and lime mixtures during the
preparation of samples. Therefore, wave propagation velocity can be used as an
indicator for the strength, cementation among particles, and other soil properties.

Fig. 15. Wave velocity through specimen variation versus curing times.

Fig. 16. Correlation between the unconfined

compressive strength and wave velocity.

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Effect of Lime Treatment on Swelling and Some Geotechnical Properties . . . . 183

3.5. Soil-water characteristics curve for stabilized specimens

A series of tests were directed to investigate the influence of curing time on the
soil-water characteristics curve SWCC of stabilized specimens, the results are
presented in Fig. 17. The results of the soil-water characteristics curve were
modeled using the software program suggested by Khattab and Al-Taie [20]. The
constructed models produce a good correlation with R2 values greater than 0.99
between the experimental and modeled SWCC curves. It was clearly observed, that
in spite of similar trends in the results of lime-treated specimens that were cured
for a different time, soil specimens of 56 curing period showed higher volumetric
water content value than the specimens cured for other curing periods, and this
value increase as curing period increases. In addition, the difference in the
volumetric water content becomes close as suction pressure becomes higher. These
behaviors may be that lime addition to clayey soil is associated with high moisture
loss under curing temperature during the curing period. Furthermore, the results
showed that air entry values (AEV) of treated soil specimens become higher as the
curing period increase. The reason for this behavior might be the pozzolanic
reaction of lime treatment during the curing period results in more cementing
materials. The cementing materials fill the pores and capillary channels.

Fig. 17. Soil-water characteristics curves of soil samples

with curing times (continuous lines represent the best fitting
while the points represent the experimental data).

4. Conclusions
Based on the experimental work and analyses of tests results for the natural clay
and lime treated specimens, the following conclusions can be drawn:
• The swelling potential increase significantly during the first cycles of wetting-
drying, the amount of these increases is 5.75% for natural clay specimens and
about 0.8%, 0.6%, 0.16%, and negligible value for lime treated values curried
for 2, 7, 14, 28, 56 days, respectively. While the increase in the swelling
percentages decreases gradually and becomes in equilibrium and close to
swelling percentages of clay specimens without wetting-drying cycles.
• The swelling potential decrease as the soil stabilized with lime, this response
is related to the curing periods, the swelling pressure decreases as the curing
period increases.

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184 I. M. Alkiki et al.

• Significant crack propagation in the natural soil specimens were observed with
wetting-drying cycles, while there are no cracks or micro-cracks shown in
treated specimens for all curing periods.
• The addition of lime increased electrical conductivity and pH values of the soil
to 4% and then become in equilibrium, while there is a significant reduction in
these values as the curing periods increase.
• Significant improvements were observed in unconfined compression strength
and wave velocity in lime-treated specimens and related to curing periods. In
addition, a good correlation was observed between unconfined compression
strength and wave velocity.
• The volumetric water content increases with curing periods and especially at a
high curing period of 56 days.

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