This paper presents the results of an experimental study to explore the effects of initial placement moisture content and dry density on swelling characteristics of expansive clay. Remolded samples of clay procured from an expansive soil area in Pakistan were prepared by compacting them at varying moisture content and dry density. The density of the samples was varied by changing the compacting effort in the range of standard and modified proctor methods with moisture content varying between 10% and 25%. Swell tests were carried out using standard odeometer apparatus through which swell potential (percent swell) and swell pressure of the compacted clay samples were determined. The results of the study revealed that the swell potential of the compacted samples decreases considerably when the compaction moisture content is increased at a particular density. On the other hand, the swell potential has an increasing trend with increasing compaction density at specific moisture content. The swell pressure decreases with increases in moisture content and increases with increase in compaction density. Based on the experimental results, it is inferred that the compaction of swelling soils slightly on wet of optimum and avoiding over compaction may help mitigating their swelling potential which otherwise can cause severe distress to civil engineering structures, especially to lightly loaded structures.
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