Effect of heating on swelling, consolidation and strength of kaolin and bentonite clays

Soils usually have many problems which limit their use in engineering constructions. There are many methods available for solving problems with soils, including the method of heat stabilization. This method has not been considered appropriate for engineering applications in the USA because of the high energy cost associated with it. A better understanding of the effect of heating on the engineering properties of soil would help in making this method economical and appropriate to use. This study investigates the effect of heating on some engineering properties of two clay soils.;An experimental study on the effect of heating on swelling, consolidation, and strength properties of a kaolin and a bentonite was done. Specimens of Edgar Plastic Kaolin and Western Bentonite prepared at a void ratio of 1.0 and 1.2 were tested dry, fully saturated and heated to different temperatures up to 600;It is found that heating kaolinite to a temperature of up to 300;From the test results, it was found that soft clay soils can be stabilized effectively without heating to a very high temperature. This will help in minimizing heating costs and, thus, make this method economical and appropriate.