SWELLING POTENTIAL AND MINERALOGY OF THI – QAR UNIVERSITY SOIL

In this study, the results of geotechnical (physical) properties were used for assessing the swelling potentials of the studied area (Thi – Qar University) in addition to the mineralogical composition for these soils. Mineralogically, Montmorillonite was identified as being the main clay mineral, followed by Illite and Kaolinite in addition to the presence of non – clay minerals Calcite, Quartz, Feldspar and Dolomite. Geotechnical studies show that Liquid limits and plasticity indexs range from 38% - 61% and from 13% - 30% respectively. According to USCS, these soils are mainly high liquid limit sandy silty clay (CH), low liquid limit sandy silty clay and low liquid limit sandy clayey silt (CL and ML) respectively. Activity values revealed that the soils are mainly non active (80%) – normally active (20%) and the consistency of the soil is (plastic – semisolid).The assessment of soil expansivity based on index properties and activity show a large percentage of the expansive soil. Also, there is concordance between the results of the soil expansivity which obtained from the soil swelling assessment based on the analyses of its index properties and the results of mineralogical tests for these soils