Volume 2, Issue 1 — Year 2025 — Article e100034

ISSN (Online): 3115-8129 Biannually

Investigating the Influence of Moisture Content on the Plasticity of Clayey Soils

Article Type: Technical Note
Pages: e100034
DOI: https://doi.org/10.22034/CGEL.2.1.e100034
Crossmark
Open Access
Authors
Affiliations
  1. Department of Earth Sciences, Tabriz University, Tabriz 5166616471, Iran
  2. Department of Geological Engineering, Istanbul University, Istanbul 34452, Türkiye
  3. Department of Geological Engineering, Istanbul University, Istanbul 34452, Türkiye
  4. Department of Geological Engineering, Istanbul University, Istanbul 34452, Türkiye
  5. Department of Civil Engineering, Sahand University of Technology, Sahand 513351996, Iran
Corresponding author
Email: m_ebrahim1987@gmail.com
Received: 18 March 2025 / Accepted: 19 April 2025 / Published: 25 May 2025
Abstract

The Plasticity Index (PI) is a fundamental geotechnical parameter that quantifies the plastic behavior of clayey soils, which is key for assessing their suitability for various engineering applications. The PI is significantly influenced by soil moisture content, which varies with environmental conditions and impacts soil properties such as shear strength, compressibility, and load-bearing capacity. In this paper, a comprehensive analysis of 25 Atterberg limit tests conducted on clayey soil samples from the South Pars area is presented, with a focus on the variation of PI in relation to different moisture contents. The results highlight how moisture fluctuations affect the plasticity of clayey soils, thereby influencing their behavior in construction projects such as foundation design, road construction, and other geotechnical applications. By analyzing empirical data from the region, the study provides insights into the potential challenges and considerations for engineers working in areas with similar soil characteristics. The findings suggest that a high PI correlates with increased plasticity, leading to challenges in the construction of stable foundations and roads. Moreover, soils with lower PI values tend to exhibit better load-bearing capacities and less compressibility, making them more suitable for certain engineering purposes. This paper underscores the importance of accurately characterizing the plasticity of soils, particularly in the South Pars region, where clayey soils are prevalent. By understanding the influence of moisture content on plasticity, geoengineers can design more efficient and sustainable solutions, reducing risks associated with soil instability and ensuring the long-term success of construction projects.

Keywords

Plasticity index, Clayey soils, Engineering properties, Soil behavior, Atterberg limits

Data availability statement

The data supporting the findings of this study are available within article. No publicly archived dataset was generated.

Funding

This research received no external funding.

Highlights
  • Plasticity index depends on soil moisture content
  • High PI increases deformation and instability
  • Results guide foundation and road design
References
  1. Agbelele K.J., Kpomahou, Y.J., Houehanou E., Kenoukon G.C.A., Houngan A.C. (2022). Empirical Models for the Determination of the Compression Index from the Atterberg Limits: Case of the Soils of the Issaba Depression in Benin. Current Journal of Applied Science and Technology, 41(27), 11-20. https://doi.org/10.9734/cjast/2022/v41i2731783.
  2. Ahmed S.M., Agaiby S.S. (2020). Strength and stiffness characterization of clays using Atterberg limits. Transportation Geotechnics, 25, 100420. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trgeo.2020.100420.
  3. Alkiki I.M., Abdulnafaa M.D., Aldaood A. (2021). Geotechnical and other characteristics of cement-treated low plasticity clay. Soils and Rocks, 44, e2021053120. https://doi.org/10.28927/SR.2021.053120.
  4. Andrade F.A., Al-Qureshi H.A., Hotza D. (2011). Measuring the plasticity of clays: a review. Applied Clay Science, 51(1-2), 1-7. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clay.2010.10.028.
  5. Arthur E., Rehman H.U., Tuller M., Pouladi N., Nørgaard T., Moldrup P., de Jonge L.W. (2021). Estimating Atterberg limits of soils from hygroscopic water content. Geoderma, 381, 114698. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geoderma.2020.114698.
  6. Asgari M.R., Dezfuli A.B., Bayat M. (2015). Experimental study on stabilization of a low plasticity clayey soil with cement/lime. Arabian Journal of Geosciences, 8, 1439-1452. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-013-1173-1.
  7. ASTM D2487 (2017). Standard practice for classification of soils for engineering purposes (Unified Soil Classification System). ASTM International, West Conshohocken, PA, USA.
  8. ASTM D4318 (2017). Standard test methods for liquid limit, plastic limit, and plasticity index of soils. ASTM International, West Conshohocken, PA, USA.
  9. Azarafza M., Ghazifard A., Akgün H., Asghari-Kaljahi E. (2018b). Landslide susceptibility assessment of South Pars Special Zone, southwest Iran. Environmental Earth Sciences, 77, 805. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-018-7978-1.
  10. Azarafza M., Ghazifard A., Asghari-Kaljahi E. (2018a). Effect of clay minerals on geotechnical properties of fine-grained alluviums of South Pars Special Zone (Assalouyeh). In: Proceedings of the 36th National and the 3rd International Geosciences Congress of Iran, Sari, Iran.
  11. Aziz M. (2023). Mechanical properties of a high plasticity clay mixed with sand and low-plastic silt. Materials Today: Proceedings, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matpr.2023.08.012.
  12. Barnes G.E. (2021). A multi-linear approach to strength and plasticity states between the Atterberg limits. Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers-Geotechnical Engineering, 174(2), 102-117. https://doi.org/10.1680/jgeen.19.00198.
  13. Cheshomi A., Bakhtiyari E., Masoumi H. (2020). An empirical approach to estimate EPMT and PL of silty clays based on SPT. Acta Montanistica Slovaca, 25(3), 310-323. https://doi.org/10.46544/AMS.v25i3.5.
  14. Choo H., Park J., Do T.T., Lee C. (2022). Estimating the electrical conductivity of clayey soils with varying mineralogy using the index properties of soils. Applied Clay Science, 217, 106388. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clay.2021.106388.
  15. Davoodi H., Gharibreza M., Negarestan H., Mortazavi M.S., Lak R. (2017). Ecological risk assessment of the Assaluyeh and Bassatin estuaries (northern Persian Gulf) using sediment quality indices. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science, 192, 17-28. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecss.2017.05.003.
  16. Ebrahimian B., Movahed V., Pasha A.Y. (2012). Evaluation of undrained shear strength of marine clay using cone penetration resistance at South Pars field in Iran. Ocean Engineering, 54, 182-195. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.oceaneng.2012.07.018.
  17. Firoozi A.A., Firoozi A.A., Baghini M.S. (2016). A review of clayey soils. Asian Journal of Applied Sciences, 4(06), 1319-1330.
  18. Gaspar T.A.V., Jacobsz S.W., Heymann G., Toll D.G., Gens A., Osman A.S. (2022). The mechanical properties of a high plasticity expansive clay. Engineering Geology, 303, 106647. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enggeo.2022.106647.
  19. Ghanavati E., Saffari A., Haghshenas A. (2021). Morphometric indices of Asalouyeh, Varavi and Kangan anticlines in the Fars Zagros and their relationship with tectonic activity. Journal of Spatial Analysis Environmental Hazarts, 8(3), 73-92. https://doi.org/10.52547/jsaeh.8.3.73.
  20. ISO 17892-12 (2016). Geotechnical investigation and testing — Laboratory testing of soil — Part 12: Determination of the plasticity index. International Organization for Standardization.
  21. Karakan E. (2022). Comparative analysis of atterberg limits, liquidity index, flow index and undrained shear strength behavior in binary clay mixtures. Applied Sciences, 12(17), 8616. https://doi.org/10.3390/app12178616.
  22. Karakan E., Demir S. (2020). Observations and findings on mechanical and plasticity behavior of sand-clay mixtures. Arabian Journal of Geosciences, 13, 1-20. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-020-05762-4.
  23. Kayabaşı A. (2020). Geotechnical properties of fine-grained soils in Ankara/Turkey: an assessment of the existing empirical equations. Environmental Earth Sciences, 79(12), 282. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-020-09025-z.
  24. Kennedy C.O., Onyia M.E., Onukwugha E.R., Ezugwu C.N., Odumade A., Obianyo I.I., Kelechi-Asumba, S. (2021). Atterberg limits of modified compacted clayey soil for sustainable green subgrade structure. Jurnal Kejuruteraan, 33(3), 651-659. https://doi.org/10.17576/jkukm-2021-33(3)-23.
  25. Khosrotehrani K., Baghbani D., Keshani F., Omrani M. (2011). New Founds in Biostratigraphy of Ilam Formation at Kuhe Assaluyeh.(Zagros Province). Scientific Quarterly Journal of Geosciences, 20(78), 53-60.
  26. Kovacs W.D., Holtz R.D. (1981). An Introduction to Geotechnical Engineering. Prentice-Hall, New Jersey, USA.
  27. Mehrpoor, A.R., Ahari, M.N. (2018). Investigation of forward directivity effects on design spectra of industrial complexes near Assaluyeh fault. Journal of Structural Engineering and Geo-Techniques, 8(2), 45-56.
  28. Mitchell J.K., Soga K. (2005). Fundamentals of Soil Behavior. John Wiley & Sons, New Jersey, USA.
  29. Moghaddasi H., Shahbodagh B., Khalili N. (2021). A bounding surface plasticity model for unsaturated structured soils. Computers and Geotechnics, 138, 104313. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compgeo.2021.104313.
  30. Moreno-Maroto J.M., Alonso-Azcárate J. (2018). What is clay? A new definition of “clay” based on plasticity and its impact on the most widespread soil classification systems. Applied Clay Science, 161, 57-63. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clay.2018.04.011.
  31. Moreno-Maroto J.M., Alonso-Azcárate J., O'Kelly B.C. (2021). Review and critical examination of fine-grained soil classification systems based on plasticity. Applied Clay Science, 200, 105955. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clay.2020.105955.
  32. Mu Q., Meng L., Shen Y., Zhou C., Gu Z. (2023). Effects of clay content on the desiccation cracking behavior of low-plasticity soils. Bulletin of Engineering Geology and the Environment, 82(8), 317. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10064-023-03346-6.
  33. Nazari A., Ebrahimian B., Movahed V. (2014). Soil characterization of South Pars field, Persian Gulf. Environmental Geotechnics, 1(2), 96-107. http://dx.doi.org/10.1680/envgeo.13.00011.
  34. Niazi F.S., Pinan-Llamas A., Cholewa C., Amstutz C. (2020). Liquid limit determination of low to medium plasticity Indiana soils by hard base Casagrande percussion cup vs. BS fall-cone methods. Bulletin of Engineering Geology and the Environment, 79(4), 2141-2158. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10064-019-01668-y.
  35. Nikiforova A.A., Fleis M.E. (2018). A universal soil classification system from the perspective of the General Theory of Classification: a review. Bulletin of Geography: Physical Geography Series, (14), 5-13. https://doi.org/10.2478/bgeo-2018-0001.
  36. O’Kelly B.C. (2021). Review of recent developments and understanding of Atterberg limits determinations. Geotechnics, 1(1), 59-75. https://doi.org/10.3390/geotechnics1010004.
  37. Öser C. (2020). Determining the plasticity properties of high plastic clays: a new empirical approach. Arabian Journal of Geosciences, 13(11), 394. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-020-05412-9.
  38. Park J., Santamarina J.C. (2017). Revised soil classification system for coarse-fine mixtures. Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering, 143(8), 04017039. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)GT.1943-5606.0001705.
  39. Tchakalova B., Ivanov P. (2021). Correlation between effective cohesion and plasticity index of clay. Geolodica Balcanica, 51(3), 45-49. https://doi.org/10.52321/GeolBalc.51.3.45.
  40. Wang Y., Nanehkaran Y.A. (2023). GIS-based fuzzy logic technique for mapping landslide susceptibility analyzing in a coastal soft rock zone. Natural Hazards, 1-13. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11069-024-06649-3.
  41. Zhang K., Frederick C.N. (2017). Experimental investigation on compaction and Atterberg limits characteristics of soils: Aspects of clay content using artificial mixtures. KSCE Journal of Civil Engineering, 21(2), 546-553. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12205-017-1580-z.
How to cite
Aslani, H., Ebrahimi, M., Arslan, S., Yılmaz, A., & Khodadad, M. (2025). Investigating the Influence of Moisture Content on the Plasticity of Clayey Soils. Civil and Geoengineering Letters, 2(1), e100034. https://doi.org/10.22034/CGEL.2.1.e100034
Note: Please verify the citation against your preferred style guide.
Share
X LinkedIn Facebook Email Mendeley
Article Metrics
1053 Readers
682 Downloads
N/A Citations
PDF XML Back to Issue