Strength Improvement of Kaolin with Biopolymers

The strength development of biopolymer treated kaolin samples was investigated in this study. Xanthan gum (X-G) and guar gum (G-G) were preferred as the biopolymers. They were used at the rates of 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0%. Consistency limits, compaction and unconfined compressive tests (UCTs) of treated soils were performed. Curing times for the samples subjected to the UCTs were 7, 28 and 90 days. When the consistency limits of the treated samples were examined, it was observed that G-G was more effective than X-G in rising the plasticity index of the soil. However, it was determined that the strength of the 90-day X-G added samples was higher than the 90-day G-G added samples. The unconfined compressive strength of the samples altered depending on curing times and additive contents. Optimum biopolymer contents were 2.0% for X-G and 1.5% for G-G for the soil used in this study.