SUSTAINABLE IMPROVEMENT OF BENTONITE CLAY CHARACTERISTICS BY ADDING PULVERIZED WASTE GLASS

Bentonite clay is the soil that undergoes high volume changes (swelling) when its moisture content increases. The soil swelling may cause structural damage leading to damage to structural members like cracking in reinforced foundations and borders, curbs swelling, and eventually produces deformation indoors and on floors. In this study, Bentonite clay with expansive characteristics was used and mixed with various amounts of Pulverized waste glass PWG (0%, 5%, 10%, and 15%). Two types of PWG were prepared: fine glass (passing sieve No. 200) and coarse glass (passing sieve No. 2 mm). Laboratory experiments were performed on Bentonite specimens blended with different amounts of PWG. The results showed that the addition of 15% by Bentonite weight of 2 mm of PWG reduces the Atterberg limits considerably. Moreover, a noticeable reduction was observed in the Bentonite samples' free swell and swelling pressure after being treated with different amounts of PWG. The observed advantages of adding the PWG to Bentonite clay soil by decreasing the volume changes and enhancing the overall properties of Bentonite clay reflect the suitability of using PGW as a good soil stabilizer. Besides reducing the impact of waste glass on the environment due to its non-biodegradable nature.