3.1 Results of consistency tests of untreated and treated Barika CL soil with hydrated lime
The Atterberg limits tests results regarding Barika CL soil and hydrated lime mixtures at various percentages are presented in Table 3. The reduction in liquid limit and plasticity index is a consequence of exchanges between the free calcium of the hydrated lime and the absorbed cations of the clay mineral. This leads to a decrease in the size of the diffused water layer encircling the clay particles. The decrease in the size of the diffused water layer facilitates closer contact between the clay particles resulting in flocculation/agglomeration of these particles.
Table 3: Consistency tests results of untreated and treated samples of Barika CL soil by hydrated lime.