ASH-Tonishing Groundwork: A Geotechnical Exploration on the Impacts of Mixing Volcanic Ash on the Plasticity, Compaction, and Bearing Capacity of Silty Soil

The study looks at the impacts of volcanic ash on soil plasticity, compaction, and bearing capacity inBacolor, Pampanga, following Mount Pinatubo's eruption. Laboratory studies and analysis show thatvolcanic ash has little effect on soil plasticity index but considerably alters compaction properties andbearing capacity. Volcanic ash modifies the optimal moisture content and maximum dry density, offeringconsiderable obstacles to soil stabilization and construction approaches. A combination containing 10%volcanic ash is found to have the best compaction qualities for practical uses. Furthermore, the studyshows that the load-bearing capacity varies depending on the amount of volcanic ash present, with 10%volcanic ash offering the highest carrying capacity. These findings can help civil engineers, geotechnicalexperts, disaster management authorities, and environmental engineers make more informed decisions andpromote sustainable development in volcanic zones like as Bacolor, Pampanga.