Rough Set Theory–Based Multiagent Optimization for Enhanced Treatment of Expansive Soils
Publication: International Journal of Geomechanics
Volume 23, Issue 7
Abstract
Expansive soils are extremely susceptible to swelling and shrinkage associated with seasonal changes in their moisture content. This can cause serious damage to structures constructed on expansive soils. Stabilization using additives is widely used to mitigate the concerns of expansive soils by controlling the changes in volume, thereby increasing the strength and durability of the soils. Multistabilizers, including a low percentage of conventional additives with nonconventional additives, can reduce the costs of stabilization. The performance of the stabilized soil can be enhanced by admixture optimization to ascertain that the agent’s ratios are quite adequate to meet the optimal levels of modification. Unfortunately, despite the development of advanced techniques for investigating the stabilization of expansive soil, limited studies are devoted to the optimization of admixture to soils. Hence, in this research, an approach based on rough set theory, a mathematical data mining approach, is presented for multiagent optimization for efficient treatment of expansive soils. The multiadditives used in this study are almond shell ash (ASA), volcanic rock dust (VRD), and portland cement (PC). The differential free swell test, the California bearing ratio test, and the unconfined compressive strength test were applied for assessing the characteristics of the stabilized soil specimens. The obtained results and the confirmatory tests demonstrated that a combination of 20% ASA and 20% VRD with 8% PC provides the optimum results in the properties of expansive soil. The microstructural analysis denoted an enhanced modification of the soil engineering properties. The outcomes of this research confirm that the rough set optimization procedure is highly suitable for application in multiagent optimization for the efficient treatment of expansive soils.
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Data Availability Statement
All data, models, and codes generated or used during the study appear in the published article.
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International Journal of Geomechanics
Volume 23 • Issue 7 • July 2023
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© 2023 American Society of Civil Engineers.
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Received: Jul 10, 2022
Accepted: Feb 19, 2023
Published online: May 9, 2023
Published in print: Jul 1, 2023
Discussion open until: Oct 9, 2023
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