Abstract

The aim of this study is to prepare a mix that can be used in impermeable fill as an alternative to clay which can sometimes be difficult to find. In the study, bentonite and cement were chosen as admixtures and sand was chosen as the main material. The main reason for choosing bentonite and cement as admixtures is that they are impermeable and easy to find. Sand was chosen as the main material in the experiments to make use of the available sand pits at Yenicekent in Denizli, and to provide a pre-investigation for a possible future impermeable fill construction in the said region. Another reason for choosing sand as a main material was its low price. According to the result of the three mixtures tested, the mixture including 10% bentonite + 90% sand is the most economical solution that satisfies the limits values needed for clay core of earth fill dams and clay liners of solid waste storage areas.

Key words: Bentonite, cement, earthfill, sand, unpermeable layer.