Effects of Organic Matter on Physical, Strength, and Volume Change Properties of Compost Amended Expansive Clay
Publication: Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering
Volume 133, Issue 11
Abstract
In recent years, the recycling and composting of municipal solid wastes has gained acceptance as an alternative to landfilling and incineration. Compost materials have been used as soil amendments in landscaping, erosion control, expansive soil treatment, and turf management. Compost amended soils are enriched with decomposed organic matter and hence usually exhibit different strength and compressibility in soil behaviors. An experimental investigation was carried out on compost amended soils to understand the effects of decomposed organic matter on strength and volume change properties. Two types of composts, a biosolids compost and a dairy manure compost, and a control cohesive soil were chosen as test materials. Tests conducted on these materials showed that the presence of organic matter enhanced shrinkage resistance and shear strength at low compost proportions (20–30%). At high proportions (beyond 30%), the shear strength reached plateau conditions. One-dimensional vertical swell and secondary consolidation properties increased with an increase in compost proportions. As low proportions of composts yielded better enhancements to most expansive soil properties, it was concluded that compost materials can provide engineering benefits to control soils when used in moderate proportions.
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Acknowledgments
This research was conducted in cooperation with the Texas Department of Transportation and Federal Highway Administration. The writers would like to acknowledge Ms. Maribel Chavez, Fort Worth District Engineer; Ms. Barrie Cogburn, of the TxDOT Design Division, Landscape Section, Austin; Mr. James Parker, TxDOT Stephenville maintenance section, Fort Worth District; Ms. Sharon Barta; and Ms. Sylvia Medina, TxDOT Research and Technology Implementation Office, Austin; and Mr. James Cravens, Federal Highway Administration, Texas. The writers would like to acknowledge Chris Shirey for laboratory assistance in this project.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering
Volume 133 • Issue 11 • November 2007
Pages: 1449 - 1461
Copyright
© 2007 ASCE.
History
Received: Apr 24, 2006
Accepted: Mar 2, 2007
Published online: Nov 1, 2007
Published in print: Nov 2007
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