Experimental Investigation and Numerical Modeling of the Primary Consolidation Behavior of Fully and Partially Saturated Clayey Soils in Hilla City, Babylon Governorate, Iraq

samhar amar; Raid A.  Mahmood; Amer A.  Al-Khalidy

Article Details

Experimental Investigation and Numerical Modeling of the Primary Consolidation Behavior of Fully and Partially Saturated Clayey Soils in Hilla City, Babylon Governorate, Iraq

Authors:

samhar amar | Raid A. Mahmood | Amer A. Al-Khalidy

Publisher:

Iraqi Geologists Union (Union of Iraqi Geologists)

Journal:

The Iraqi Geological Journal Vol.59 Issue 1E, pp.177-199

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

5/2026

Document Language:

English

Document ID (Org No.):

2001837020

pISSN:

2663-8754

Keywords:

Abstract:

 The consolidation behavior of silty clay soils in Hilla City, Babylon Governorate, Central Iraq, is chosen for this research. Four boreholes, each three meters deep, were drilled. According to the Casagrande chart, the undisturbed samples obtained using Shelby tubes showed high clay content, ranging from 29.3% to 61.8%, thereby classifying the soils as CL–CH. Both fully saturated and partially saturated (S=50%) tissues underwent consolidation tests. Between dryness and complete saturation, the 50% saturation level is a crucial engineering state that significantly affects mechanical reaction and settling potential.  The findings indicated that whereas cv and k were greater in partially saturated soils, indicating faster consolidation due to improved drainage and lower pore pressure, e¹, Pc, Cc, Cs, av, and mv were higher in fully saturated soils and were positively associated with clay content. The agreement between numerical modeling using the soft soil model in PLAXIS and laboratory testing was good, with values ranging from 2.17 to 2.50 cm and from 2.38 to 2.6 cm, respectively.    The results indicate that soil compressibility and settling properties are strongly affected by seasonal fluctuations in groundwater. In order to guarantee the long-term stability of foundations in Babylon's fine-grained soils, soil improvement techniques like controlled compaction, preloading, or vertical drains are advised prior to construction, even when the measured settlements are within allowable bounds.

Article Details

Experimental Investigation and Numerical Modeling of the Primary Consolidation Behavior of Fully and Partially Saturated Clayey Soils in Hilla City, Babylon Governorate, Iraq

Authors:

samhar amar | Raid A. Mahmood | Amer A. Al-Khalidy

Publisher:

Iraqi Geologists Union (Union of Iraqi Geologists)

Journal:

The Iraqi Geological Journal Vol.59 Issue 1E, pp.177-199

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

5/2026

Document Language:

English

Document ID (Org No.):

2001837020

pISSN:

2663-8754

Fully saturated

Partially saturated

Consolidation

Numerical modeling

Clay soils

Issues

Article Details

Experimental Investigation and Numerical Modeling of the Primary Consolidation Behavior of Fully and Partially Saturated Clayey Soils in Hilla City, Babylon Governorate, Iraq

Authors: samhar amar | Raid A. Mahmood | Amer A. Al-Khalidy

Publisher: Iraqi Geologists Union (Union of Iraqi Geologists)

Journal: The Iraqi Geological Journal Vol.59 Issue 1E, pp.177-199

Document Type: Article

Publication Date: 5/2026

Document Language: English

Document ID (Org No.): 2001837020

pISSN: 2663-8754

Fully saturated

Partially saturated

Consolidation

Numerical modeling

Clay soils

Issues

Authors:

samhar amar | Raid A. Mahmood | Amer A. Al-Khalidy

Publisher:

Iraqi Geologists Union (Union of Iraqi Geologists)

Journal:

The Iraqi Geological Journal Vol.59 Issue 1E, pp.177-199

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

5/2026

Document Language:

English

Document ID (Org No.):

2001837020

pISSN:

2663-8754