Experimental Investigation of the Effects of Gas Oil and Benzene on the Geotechnical Properties of Sandy Soils

TL;DR

This study systematically examines how gas oil and benzene contamination alter the geotechnical properties of sandy soils through laboratory tests, revealing changes in compaction, shear strength, and permeability.

Contribution

It provides new insights into the effects of hydrocarbon contamination on sandy soils, which were previously not well understood.

Findings

Oil contamination decreases permeability of sandy soils.

Contamination increases cohesion and reduces friction angle.

Optimum moisture content declines with oil contamination.

Abstract

In recent years, contamination of soils by different hydrocarbon has drawn the attention of geotechnical engineers. However, to our knowledge, no systematic studies have been conducted to investigate the effects of gas oil and benzene contamination on the geotechnical properties of sandy soils. Therefore, the present study investigates the impact of gas oil and benzene contamination on the geotechnical properties of two kinds of sandy soil using several laboratory tests such as direct shear, compaction, and permeability tests. The compaction test results showed that optimum moisture content declined in oil-contaminated samples. Otherwise, the maximum dry density increased up to 5% oil content and then decreased by adding oil to the sandy soils. The direct shear test indicated that cohesion increased and friction angle decreased after oil contamination. The result of the permeability test revealed that contamination caused a decrease in permeability of sandy soil and the change was a function of oil content and viscosity of oils