International Journal of Civil and Structural Engineering Research ISSN 2348-7607 (Online) www.researchpublish.com , Available at: 5 201 March - 2014 ), Month: October 52 - 47 2, pp: ( Vol. 2, Issue Page | 47 Research Publish Journals A Laboratory Evaluation of Stabilization of Salty Clay Soil by Using Chloride Compounds 1 Tamadher Abood, 2 Mohamed A. S. Mohamed 1, 2 Omar Al-Mukhtar University, Civil Engineering Department - Elebida- Libya Abstract: The object of this paper is to investigate the effect of adding different chloride compounds including (NaCl, CaCl 2 , MgCl 2 ) on the engineering properties of silty clay soil. Various amount of salts (2%, 4%, 8%) were added to the soil to study the effect of salts on the compaction characteristics, consistency limits and compressive strength. The main findings of this study were that the increase in the percentage of each of the chloride compounds increase the maximum dry density, decrease the optimum moisture content. The liquid limit, plastic limit and plasticity index decreased with the increase in salt content. The unconfined compressive strength increased as the salt content increased. Keywords: Soil Stabilization, Silty Clay Soil, Consistency Limit, Unconfined Compressive Strength. Nomenclatures: σ = compressive stress (KPa) P = corresponding force (KN) Є = axial strain for the given load ∆L = length change of specimen (mm) Lо = initial length of test specimen (mm) A = corresponding cross-sectional area (mm²) Aо = initial cross-sectional area of the specimen (mm²) CH = high plasticity clay X.R.D = X-ray diffraction ASTM= the American society for testing and materials 1. INTRODUCTION Soil stabilization refers to the procedure in which a special soil, a cementing material, or other chemical material is added to a natural soil to improve one or more of its properties. One may achieve stabilization by mechanically mixing the natural soil and stabilizing material together so as to achieve a homogeneous mixture or by adding stabilizing material to an undisturbed soil deposit and obtaining interaction by letting it permeate through soil voids (William, H. 1976). Where the soil and stabilizing agent are blended and worked together, the placement process usually includes compaction. Soil stabilizing additives are used to improve the properties of less–desirable rood soils. When used these stabilizing agents can improve and maintain soil moisture content, increase soil particle cohesion and serve as cementing and water proofing agents (Janathan, et al. , 2004). A difficult problem in civil engineering works exists when the sub-grade is found to be clay soil. Soils having high clay content have the tendency to swell when their moisture content is allowed to increase (Chen 1981). Many research have been done on the subject of soil stabilization using various additives, the most common methods of soil stabilization of clay soils in pavement work are cement and lime stabilization. The high strengths obtained from cement and lime stabilization may not always be required, however, and there is justification for seeking a cheaper additives which may be used to alter the soil properties.