The Effect of Clay Desensitization with Granular Materials on Slope Stability Analysis

Construction of embankments composed of local active clayey materials presents serious difficulties in operation due to their sensibility to the variations of temperature and humidity. Improving some characteristics of active clays by adding inactive materials and avoid exposure at temperature and humidity variations leads to improvement of embankments stability. In this case study, the inactive materials used for the stabilization of clayey soils are: natural granular materials (sand and gravel) and an industrial by-product. The paper will analyse the effect of clay stabilization on slope stability of embankments required for a municipal solid waste landfill.