Enhancing the Properties of Marl Soils for Effective Construction in Saudi Arabian Region

Authors

  • Md. Arifuzzaman University of Bahrain
  • Muath Najjar King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals
  • Mahmud Naser Mahmud King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals
  • A.B.M Saiful Islam Dammam University
  • Muhammad Khan King Faisal University
  • M. M. Ali California Public Utilities Commission, California, USA

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.4186/ej.2017.21.4.111

Keywords:

Marl, improvement, strength, durability, chemical agent.

Abstract

Marl, containing primarily carbonate (CaCO3) and clays of different percentages with occasional traces of organic matter, silt or sand is usually used as bases and sub-bases for roads and highways. Marl is usually used as sub-grade layers or as a backfill in base and sub-base layers for highway pavements. This type of soil has poor strength and high water sensitivity; a drastic loss of bearing capacity may occur upon immersion. Due to its poor strength and high water sensitivity, appropriate treatment from engineering perspective is necessary before such soils are recommended for use in any construction project effectively. Critical analysis of different stabilization techniques employed for enhancing the marl soil properties in Saudi Arabia for the last 30 years has been carried out to find the best engineering solution. Mechanical and chemical treatments were found to be more economical than drainage, dewatering and other techniques. It has been noticed that no study was done in stabilization of Marl Soil using Geo-synthetics technique Hence, it can be an alternate way for future research to improve marl.

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Author Biographies

Md. Arifuzzaman
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Department of Civil Engineering, University of Bahrain, Bahrain

Muath Najjar
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Department of Civil Engineering, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, Saudi Arabia

Mahmud Naser Mahmud
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Department of Civil Engineering, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, Saudi Arabia

A.B.M Saiful Islam
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Department of Construction Engineering, University of Dammam, Saudi Arabia

Muhammad Khan
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Department of Civil Engineering, King Faisal University, Saudi Arabia

M. M. Ali
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California Public Utilities Commission, California 95834, USA

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Published In
Vol 21 No 4, Jul 31, 2017
How to Cite
[1]
M. Arifuzzaman, M. Najjar, M. N. Mahmud, A. S. Islam, M. Khan, and M. M. Ali, “Enhancing the Properties of Marl Soils for Effective Construction in Saudi Arabian Region”, Eng. J., vol. 21, no. 4, pp. 111-126, Jul. 2017.
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