On the impact of hydrocarbon contamination on compaction and plasticity behavior of sandy clay soil. Case study: Northeast Hungary

Abstract

This study investigates the behavior of hydrocarbon-contaminated soils, using Atterberg tests and Modified Proctor Tests (MPT) conducted on sandy clay soil samples. By exposing the soil to higher artificial contamination percentages than has been reported in the literature, our approach gives a further comprehensive
analysis and provides a complex interpretation of the contamination process and its impact on compaction. The oil contamination led to an increase in the plastic limit and a decrease in the plasticity index. It also influenced the compaction behavior, resulting in a decrease in the maximum dry density. The analysis emphasizes the significance of considering higher contamination levels for a more robust understanding with implications for diverse engineering applications.