The Effect of Different Chemical Quality Pore Fluids on the Relationship between Suction and Swelling Characteristics of an Expansive Soil*

In this research work, the relationship between suction and swelling potential and swelling pressure of an expansive soil with different chemical pore fluid qualities was investigated through experimental tests. Different soils were prepared with different chemical qualities of pore fluid (distilled water, sodium chloride, and calcium chloride solutions with concentration of 250 g/l). The samples were made by the static compaction method for testing. Soil-Water characteristic curves were determined by the filter paper method for each prepared soil sample. By performing the swelling tests, the amount of free swelling and swelling pressure for different water content were obtained for each sample with different pore fluid. By using the Soil-Water characteristic curve of each sample, the equivalent suction was obtained for each water content. Then the curve of variations of free swelling and swelling pressure versus suction were obtained for each pore fluid. The results showed that the pore fluid with different qualities causes different Soil-Water characteristic curves. On the other hand, comparing the results showed that, at a given suction the swelling potential and swelling pressure of the samples with NaCl solution as a pore fluid was more than the samples with the pore of distilled water or CaCl2 solution. In addition, the SEM results revealed that the soil structure is dependent on the used pore fluid quality. Also, for a specific pore fluid, the soil structure is not the same at the beginning and end of the test.