Climate change impact on infrastructure resilience: A chemical and geotechnical perspective on soft clay soils

Climate change poses significant challenges to infrastructure systems, particularly those constructed on soft clay soils, which are inherently sensitive to environmental conditions. From a chemical and geotechnical engineering perspective, climate-induced factors such as rising temperatures, fluctuating groundwater levels, and extreme weather events can alter the chemical properties of soft clay soils, leading to changes in their structural behavior and stability. This review explores the critical role of chemical processes in soil stabilization, mineralogical transformations, and chemical erosion under changing climatic conditions. It synthesizes findings on chemical additives, including lime and cement treatments, for enhancing soil strength and mitigating deformation risks. The paper also highlights recent advancements in understanding ion exchange processes, pH variations, and salinity effects on soft clay properties. By bridging chemical insights with geotechnical solutions, the study provides practical recommendations for the development of climate-resilient infrastructure. This chemical-centric review contributes to advancing sustainable engineering practices in vulnerable regions.