Effectiveness of Talcum Powder in Reducing Swelling Potential and Enhancing Strength of Expansive Soil

Authors

• Hesham E. Eleraky, Demonstrator, High Institute of Engineering and Technology, Elmahalla Elkobra, Egypt Currently: M.Sc. student, Faculty of Engineering, Tanta University, Egypt.Follow
• Ashraf K. Nazir, Professor of Geotechnical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Tanta University, Egypt
• Wasiem R. Azzam, Professor of Geotechnical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Tanta University, Egypt
• Mohamed A. Sakr, Professor of Geotechnical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Tanta University, Egypt

Subject Area

Civil and Environmental Engineering

Article Type

Original Study

Abstract

Expansive soils are clayey soils that undergo large volume changes as a result of moisture content variations. These soils have the potential to make foundations and other structures unstable and require costly repairs. This study examined the impact of adding talcum powder as a new stabilizing component to the matrix of an expansive soil in order to enhance the swelling pressure, Atterberg limits, modified Proctor, unconfined compressive strength at different periods of curing, X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy were all used in a series of laboratory tests to examine how adding talcum powder to expansive soil affected the soil's characteristics. The addition of 25% talcum powder significant enhanced the engineering behavior of the expansive soil, reducing the free swell index, swelling pressure, and plasticity index by 44%, 41%, and 34%, respectively, while increasing the maximum dry density by 15%, highlighting its effectiveness as a sustainable soil stabilization material

Keywords

talcum powder, expansive soil, soil stabilization, swelling pressure

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

Recommended Citation

Eleraky, Hesham E.; Nazir, Ashraf K.; Azzam, Wasiem R.; and Sakr, Mohamed A. (2026) "Effectiveness of Talcum Powder in Reducing Swelling Potential and Enhancing Strength of Expansive Soil," Mansoura Engineering Journal: Vol. 51 : Iss. 6 , Article 7.
Available at: https://doi.org/10.58491/2735-4202.3500