Characterization and Structural Improvement of Chott-El-Hodna Clay: A Study on Treatments Through Hydraulic Binder

This study examines the characterization of Chott-El-Hodna clay and the enhancement of its properties using hydraulic binders, specifically cement and lime.Soil samples from Ain El Khadra in the Chott-El-Hodna basin were treated with varying concentrations of cement and lime (2-12% by weight) to evaluate their effects on the soil's mechanical and physical properties.Employing standardized geotechnical tests, including Proctor compaction, California Bearing Ratio (CBR), unconfined compression, and ultrasonic velocity measurements, this research assesses each binder's role in reducing soil plasticity, increasing compaction, and improving load-bearing capacity.Results indicate that both cement and lime contribute to improved soil stability, with lime showing superior performance in load-bearing capacity at higher dosages, while cement provides consistent compaction and strength benefits across all dosages.X-ray diffraction and fluorescence analyses further highlight the chemical and mineral stability of the treated soils, with quartz and calcite enhancing mechanical resilience and pH buffering.These findings suggest that lime and cement treatments can significantly improve the durability of infrastructure in saline soil regions, offering targeted stabilization solutions to optimize foundational integrity in arid and semi-arid environments.